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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 215352

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report and financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Contents

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers 1
Trustees' report 2 - 8
Independent auditors' report on the financial statements 9 - 12
Statement of financial activities 13
Balance sheet 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 28

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 31 March 2024

Trustees Rita Alice Vartoukian
Alexander D'Janoeff
Teni Shahiean
Martin Sarkis Essayan, Chairman
Charity registered
number
215352
Principal office
50 Hoxton Square
London
N1 6PB
Independent auditors
Kreston Reeves LLP
Chartered Accountants
2nd Floor
168 Shoreditch High Street
London
E1 6RA
Bankers
Lloyds Bank
P.O. Box 1000
BX1 1LT
Solicitors
Farrer & Co
66 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3LH
Investment Advisors
Cazenove Capital Management
1 London Wall Place
London
EC2Y 5AU

Page 1

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report For the year ended 31 March 2024

The Trustees present their annual report with the audited financial statements of Saint Sarkis Charity Trust ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit

a. Policies and Objectives

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives, planning future activities, and setting the donation-making policy for the period.

The Saint Sarkis Charity Trust continues to fulfil several vital objectives. Primarily, it supports the Armenian Church of Saint Sarkis in London and the Gulbenkian Library at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. When funds allow, the Trust also awards grants to registered charities working with the Armenian community in the UK and abroad. Additionally, the Trust collaborates with the Barrow Cadbury Trust to support innovative projects that assist prisoners and their families within the UK.

b. Grant Making Policies

The Trustees have established its grant-making policy to achieve its objectives for the public benefit. The Trust makes grants to the Armenian Church of St. Sarkis to help support the Church’s running costs and fund renovation and capital works. Until recently, the Trustees have met regularly with the Trustees of the Armenian Church to assess the level of grants to support the Church’s net running costs. The Trustees, together with the Saint Sarkis Church Parish Council and the Primate, raised concerns with the Charities Commission about some substantial changes proposed by the Trustees of the Armenian Church to their governing document and the lack of consultation about these changes with the Parish, Charity Trust, and Primate. It has become clear that this issue will remain unresolved, and the Charity Trustees have suspended all payments to the Armenian Church besides the £2,000 pa minimum.

The Trust also provides grants to the Gulbenkian Library at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem to fund the running and capital costs of maintaining the collection of over 120,000 specialised works, an extensive collection of manuscripts (about 4,000), a similar number of Armenian incunabula (early printed books), a historical collection of newspapers and periodicals (about 350 titles) in the Armenian, Arab and Ottoman languages from the 19th century onwards, and a collection of archival documents dating back to the 14th century. A yearly grant is paid to the curator of the collection, and applications for renovation and requests for funding for capital works are submitted to the Trustees for consideration.

The Trust also provides grants to other charities concerned with the Armenian Community in the UK and abroad. Applications are sent to the Secretary to the Trust explaining the nature of the project and including information on the exact purpose of the grant, the amount required, a budget, the latest annual report and audited accounts and plans for monitoring and evaluating the work.

Applications received from organisations outside the UK are conditional on the Trustees receiving progress and final reports on the project, photographic evidence and final project accounts certified by an internationally recognised organisation. The Trust, committed to transparency, also uses its connection with the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to identify Armenian organisations outside the UK in need of support and to monitor funding granted.

To the extent that funds are available, the Trust also makes grants to organisations developing innovative projects to support prisoners and their families in the UK. Rather than invite applications for grants, the Trustees decided to work with one partner, the Barrow Cadbury Trust. The Barrow Cadbury Trust proactively identifies and recommends projects for funding to the Trustees based on their expertise and knowledge of the field.

Page 2

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and Performance

a. Review of Activities

Regarding principal objectives, the Trust continues to support the Armenian Church of St. Sarkis in London, as per the trust deed. It continues to support the Gulbenkian Library at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem.

The Trust has been pleased to make several significant grants, amounting to £156,216 (2023: £190,560) made for charitable objectives connected with Armenia or Armenians before the cancellation of some grants.

The Trust continues to give grants to some non-Armenian UK charities when sufficient funds are available. These grants are awarded to UK charities that are developing innovative projects to support prisoners and their families in the UK. During the period, the Trust provided £30,000 (2023: £30,000) through the Barrow Cadbury Trust.

b. Key Financial Performance Indicators

Each year, the Trustees plan to use the net income received from the Trust's endowed funds to (i) fund the Armenian Church of St Sarkis, (ii) make grants for the support of the library in Jerusalem, (iii) make grants to support the Armenian community, (iv) and fund a small number of non-Armenian projects.

The key financials for the current and previous year are:

c. Plans for Future Periods

The Trust plans to continue to meet its minimum obligation to the Armenian Church of St Sarkis Church, as per its trust deed. It will continue to support the Gulbenkian Library at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. The Trust will also continue to give grants to some non-Armenian UK charities where sufficient funds and monitoring systems are available.

d. Investment Policy and Performance

The Trust operates a balanced income and capital approach to the investment of the Trust’s permanent endowment by the terms of the Charity Commission Scheme made on 26th March 1997 and the Trustee Act 2000.

Page 3

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and Performance (continued)

Delegation

The Trustees have delegated the management of the endowed funds (“the portfolio”) to a fund manager, Cazenove, who, in purchasing, retaining, or selling investments for the Trust, is required to have regard to the need for diversification and the Trustees’ obligation to ensure that each investment is in the best interests of the Trust. This appointment is reviewed regularly at the same time that the investment policy is reviewed. The Trustees have delegated the oversight of the portfolio management and biannual review to two delegated Trustees: Mr Alexander C B D'Janoeff and Mr. Martin Sarkis Essayan, who seek to ensure the fund manager performs effectively in line with the charity’s needs and the investment policy. These Trustees also keep the fund manager’s performance under review and compare it with what others could offer in terms of cost, investment approach, and level of service. Once agreed by the Trustees, these Trustees can sign any agreement with the fund manager on behalf of the Trustees, any amendment to that agreement, and any instructions to the fund manager to withdraw, or to transfer, cash or assets to third parties. Approval of the Trustees is not required for withdrawals and transfers entered into by the fund manager in connection with their management of the portfolio and the income arising therefrom. The delegated Trustees are also responsible for supervising the management of the cash portfolio.

Nature of Funds

The endowed funds are the permanent endowment of the Trust and are held in a balanced portfolio of equity, property and fixed-interest investments. In accordance with a total return policy, the income earned and investment gains or losses, endowment returns, are treated as Unapplied Total Returns [UTR]. The Trustees agree on how much of the UTR to allocate to the permanent endowment to ensure it maintains its value in real terms. The Trustees have set a Long-Term Spending Rate (LTSR) to determine the maximum amount of endowment returns that will be distributed in the year. This is used by the Trust in meeting its objectives for the public benefit, primarily through the giving of charitable grants and to pay the governance costs of running the Charity. The difference between the total endowment returns and the amounts allocated are retained as Unapplied Total Returns to mitigate against years where negative investment returns are experienced. Designated funds arise from the Trust’s income streams and are assigned to a specific purpose by the Trustees. They are not treated as free reserves (available to be spent freely) as a designated use has been identified. These funds may be re-designated for another purpose by the Trustees if circumstances change.

Page 4

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and Performance (continued)

Investment policy and Total Return

The main investment objective and risk tolerance of the investment policy approved by the delegated Trustees are:

Given the investment and risk objectives, the delegated Trustees have established an overall allocation of the Trust’s investments to broad asset categories and reviews this asset allocation with the fund manager biannually reporting on it to the Trustees at least annually. The delegated Trustees have given the fund manager discretion to determine the precise asset allocation within certain control ranges, to achieve the investment objectives.

Benchmarks and Parameters

Benchmarks are agreed with the fund manager for each asset class.

Ethical and Socially Responsible Investment

The Trustees have reviewed their investment policy with regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on ethical and responsible investment. They have concluded that there are no specific industry or company activities which should be excluded from the portfolio on the grounds of any direct conflict with the charity’s objectives. However, the Trustees aim to observe responsible investment principles. The charity’s investment managers are expected to take into consideration the environmental, social, and governance characteristics of existing and prospective investments, where this is practicable and proportionate in the context of the overall investment strategy.

Investment Restrictions

The fund manager is required to ensure the securities are held by a regulated custodian of the highest credit rating in line with all FCA regulations.

With the exception of listed securities issued by the British Government, the fund manager should not invest more than 5% of the total portfolio value in the securities issued by any company, unit trust, or other listed entity.

The fund manager should not invest in derivative instruments other than to hedge risk exposures arising from conventional investments made in pursuit of the Trustees’ stated investment objectives. The fund manager is required to discuss the use of such instruments with the delegated Trustees beforehand.

Investments are made only in securities having a listing on a recognised stock exchange. However, this does not exclude investing in Authorised Unit Trusts.

No investments are made in hedge funds. The fund manager is required to discuss investments in Private Equity funds with the delegated Trustees beforehand.

When making investments in international equities, the fund manager is required to balance the need for diversification with the income yield target specified above and bear in mind that the majority of the Trust’s liabilities are sterling denominated and the Trustees almost certainly cannot recover any foreign tax deducted at source from any income.

The bond portfolio is structured to recognise the Trustees’ desire to maintain the real value of the portfolio and its income.

Page 5

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Achievements and Performance (continued)

Reporting and Review

The fund manager sends regular portfolio reports to the delegated Trustees. The delegated trustees and fund managers meet at least twice yearly to discuss past performance, asset allocation, and future plans. The delegated Trustees report to the other Trustees as necessary and when the investment policy is reviewed.

Financial review

a. Performance of Investment Portfolio Against Objectives

The portfolio's long-term performance continues to be strong despite external pressures in relation to inflation and geopolitical factors. The position of the trust investments has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the trustees and the portfolio managers remain satisfied with the portfolio's performance. The Trust retains a longterm investment strategy for the endowment and is confident that this is the correct strategy. The trustees and fund managers are continuing to explore ways to increase the environmental sustainability of the portfolio and continue to diversify the risk of equity investments.

The primary risks identified for the next financial year continue to be similar themes, including the high cost of living, geopolitical events, and potential adverse effects from the US elections. The Trust believes that appropriate investment strategies are in place to grow and maintain the endowment fund.

During the year, the portfolio provided gross income before fees of £239,076 (2023: £189,731).

b. Reserves Policy

The income generated from the Trust's investments is held in unrestricted funds.

The Trustees review the level of unrestricted funds each year and consider it should be maintained at an adequate level to ensure the Trust is able to meet the current level of expected grants for the foreseeable future. The unrestricted reserves on 31 March 2024 amount to £164,524 (2023: £304,418), and the endowment funds amount to £12,433,663 (2023: £11,182,329).

c. Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

Structure, governance and management

a. Constitution

The Trust was set up by the late Calouste Gulbenkian primarily for the support of the Armenian Church of St. Sarkis in London and the Gulbenkian Library at the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. The Governing Document of the Trust was originally the Trust Deed dated 6 August 1954 and is now the Scheme prepared by the Charity Commissioners at the request of the Trustees and sealed on the 26 March 1997.

Page 6

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management (continued)

b. Methods of Appointment or Election of Trustees

The Trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees and serve for five years after which period they may put themselves forward for re appointment. The Trust Deed and Scheme provides that the Trustees are not to be less than three in number and that when appointing any future Trustee, the Trustees are to have regard to Mr. Gulbenkian’s desire that the Trustees should include a representative or representatives of his family, the Managing Trustees of the Armenian Church of St. Sarkis and the legal profession in England.

c. Policies Adopted for the Induction and Training of Trustees

New Trustees are selected on the basis of their background and commitment to the ethos of the Trust in supporting the Armenian community within and outside the UK as well as the skills and expertise they bring to the Trust.

New Trustees are inducted through meetings with the Chairman who provides details of the Trust, its background, aims and objectives, how it operates and future plans. New Trustees are also provided with a copy of the governing Trust deed, the previous year’s Trustee board minutes, the last years of annual reports and accounts, and a copy of the Charity Commission’s guidance ‘The Essential Trustee: What You Need to Know’ and ‘Public Benefit: running a charity’.

d. Organisational Structure and Decision Making

At the Trustees meetings, the Trustees agree the broad strategy for grant making, investment, risk management policies, reserves and performance. Between meetings the Trustees also monitor all recommendations for funding and delegate the day-to-day administration to the Secretary and Treasurer.

e. Risk Management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

The principle risks and uncertainties facing the Trust are providing support to organisations in countries with less developed legal, financial and governmental infrastructures that allow the Trust to authenticate an application for funding and the organisation making the application. Risks also arise when supporting such organisations in monitoring and ensuring that funds granted are applied as per the purpose they were granted.

These risks are managed by: using, where available, independent organisations, such as the British Council, to verify the organisation, the reasons for application and where possible the use of the funding; ensuring accreditation is up to date and robust policies and procedures in place; and regular awareness training for staff working in these operational areas. The Trust also uses its connection with the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to identify and verify organisations outside the UK in need of support and to monitor the funding granted.

f. Correspondence

All correspondence should be addressed to:

Mr Christopher Holmes Treasurer Saint Sarkis Charity Trust 50 Hoxton Square London N1 6PB

Page 7

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' report is approved has confirmed that:

Auditors

The auditors, Kreston Reeves LLP, have indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trustees.

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Martin Essayan

Martin Essayan (Dec 16, 2024 22:51 GMT)

Martin Essayan Chairman

Date: Dec 16, 2024

Page 8

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Saint Sarkis Charity Trust (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 January 2019 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Page 9

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Saint Sarkis Charity Trust (continued)

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Page 10

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Saint Sarkis Charity Trust (continued)

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

The objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error; and to respond appropriately to those risks.

Based on our understanding of the charity and the sector as a whole, and through discussion with the trustees and other management (as required by auditing standards), we identified that the principal risks of noncompliance with laws and regulations related to anti-bribery and charity law. We considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Charities SORP (FRS 102) Second Edition (released October 2019) and other relevant charity legislation. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to increase revenue or reduce expenditure and management bias in accounting estimates and judgemental areas of the financial statements such as the valuation of investments. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Page 11

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Independent auditors' report to the Members of Saint Sarkis Charity Trust (continued)

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements (continued)

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Kreston Reeves LLP

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor London

Date:

Kreston Reeves LLP are eligible to act as auditors in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 12

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31 March 2024

Note
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
5
Investments
6
Total income and endowments
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
Charitable activities
9
Governance costs
10
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) before net
gains/(losses) on investments
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Endowment
funds
2024
£
-
239,076
239,076
34,899
-
7,965
42,864
196,212
1,057,777
1,253,989
11,182,329
1,253,989
12,436,318		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
8,600
-
8,600
-
144,194
6,955
151,149
(142,549)
-
(142,549)
304,418
(142,549)
161,869		 Total
funds
2024
£
8,600
239,076
247,676
34,899
144,194
14,920
194,013
53,663
1,057,777
1,111,440
11,486,747
1,111,440
12,598,187		 Total
funds
2023
£
8,600
189,731
198,331
34,557
250,974
14,290
299,821
(101,490)
(730,047)
(831,537)
12,318,284
(831,537)
11,486,747

The notes on pages 15 to 28 form part of these financial statements.

Page 13

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Balance sheet As at 31 March 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Investments
13
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
14
Net current assets
Total net assets
Charity funds
Endowment funds
15
Unrestricted funds
15
Total funds		 304,926
(85,084)		 2024
£
12,378,345
219,842
12,598,187
12,433,663
164,524
12,598,187		 258,991
(126,789)		 2023
£
11,354,545
132,202
11,486,747
11,182,329
304,418
11,486,747

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Martin Essayan

Martin Essayan (Dec 16, 2024 22:51 GMT)

Martin Essayan Chairman

Date: Dec 16, 2024

The notes on pages 15 to 28 form part of these financial statements.

Page 14

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

1. General information

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust is an unincorporated charity domilciled in England. The address of its registered office and principal place of business is disclosed on the company information page. The charity's principal objectves are disclosed on page 2.

2. Accounting policies

2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland effective 1 January 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

2.2 Cash flow exemption

The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption conferred by Section 7.1B of FRS 102 not to prepare a Statement of cash flows as a small sized entity.

2.3 Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Incoming resources are not included net of expenditure, since this is considered to give more complete information concerning the Trust’s financial activities.

Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis. Investment income from endowment funds is to be applied to furthering the objectives of the charity. Incoming resources from the endowment fund are unrestricted.

Donated services and facilities for administrative support are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. A corresponding expense is recorded in the statement of financial activities.

Page 15

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.

Grants payable are accounted for once approval has been given by the Trustees and the obligation to pay the grant has arisen.

Staff and office costs provided by the Gulbenkian Foundation and Other office costs are divided equally between charitable expenditure and governance costs.

2.5 Investments

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.

2.6 Total return investment policy

The Trustees have adopted a total return approach to investment and spending, as permitted under the Trusts (Capital and Income) Act 2013 and the Charity Commission regulations associated with it. This was approved by the Trustees in November 2017 and brought into effect from 1 April 2018 using the average value of the endowment over the previous five years as the base point.

2.7 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

2.8 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Liabilities and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Page 16

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

2.9 Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.10 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

The Endowment funds are funds used for investment purposes. Under the Total Return basis, a portion of the Endowment fund can be transferred to the Income fund each year. The Unapplied Total Return accumulates if no transfer is made. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.

2.11 Foreign currencies

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.

Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The audit fee has been split between the Endowment fund and Unrestricted fund on a 75:25 basis to reflect the proportion of time taken to audit the charity.

Investments are valued at their fair value using the closing quoted market value.

The value of donated sevices and facilites are included at the value to the charity.

4. Employees

There were no employees during the current or prior period, other than trustees, who did not receive any remuneration (2023: £Nil).

Page 17

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

5. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Donations
8,600
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
Donations
8,600		 Total
funds
2024
£
8,600
Total
funds
2023
£
8,600

In 2023 and 2024, the total income from donations and legacies, related to the provision of professional services.

6. Investment income

Endowment
funds
2024
£
Dividends and interest on fixed interest securities
239,076
Endowment
funds
2023
£
Dividends and interest on fixed interest securities
189,731		 Total
funds
2024
£
239,076
Total
funds
2023
£
189,731

Page 18

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

7. Investment management costs

Expenditure on investment management
Expenditure on investment management
Analysis of grants
Grants
Grants		 Endowment
funds
2024
£
34,899
Endowment
funds
2023
£
34,557
Grants to
Institutions
2024
£
139,381
Grants to
Institutions
2023
£
243,165		 Total
funds
2024
£
34,899
Total
funds
2023
£
34,557
Total
funds
2024
£
139,381
Total
funds
2023
£
243,165

8. Analysis of grants

Page 19

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

The Charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year:

Armenian Projects
Fees re Jerusalem Library
Women's Support Centre
Kapan Math Club
Children of Armenia Fund
Near East Foundation
We Are Our Mountains
London Armenian Poor Relief Society Trust
Parish Council of Saint Sarkis
Akhtamar Armenian Performance Group
Armenian Summer Festival
Armenian Church of St. Sarkis
Association Armenienne d'Aide Sociale
Aurora (Artsakh)
ACT UK - Youth Programme
Diocese of the Armenia Church of Romania
ACT UK - AREV Grant
ACT UK - Summer Festival
Other Projects
Barrow Cadbury Trust
Cancelled Grants
Aurora (Artsakh)
Diocese of the Armenia Church of Romania
PRIME
AGBU
AAAS		 2024
£
30,254
29,046
25,000
22,360
22,360
22,000
16,500
8,950
5,000
3,000
2,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
186,470
30,000
30,000
(22,443)
(18,000)
(29,889)
(6,708)
(49)
(77,089)
139,381		 2023
£
20,565
-
-
-
-
-
26,250
-
-
-
2,000
57,500
45,000
24,750
18,000
14,100
5,000
213,165
30,000
30,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
243,165

Page 20

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

9. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Grants
Other charitable activities
Grants
Other charitable activities		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
139,381
4,813
144,194
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
243,165
7,809
250,974		 Total
2024
£
139,381
4,813
144,194
Total
2023
£
243,165
7,809
250,974

10. Governance costs

Auditors' remuneration
Staff and office costs provided by Gulbenkian Foundation
Auditors' remuneration
Staff and office costs provided by Gulbenkian Foundation		 Endowment
funds
2024

£
7,965
-
7,965
Endowment
funds
2023
£
7,425
-
7,425		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
2,655
4,300
6,955
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
2,565
4,300
6,865		 Total
funds
2024
£
10,620
4,300
14,920
Total
funds
2023
£
9,990
4,300
14,290

Page 21

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

11. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Grants
Other charitable activities
Grants
Other charitable activities
Analysis of support costs
Staff and office costs provided by Gulbenkian Foundation
Subscriptions
Staff and office costs provided by Gulbenkian Foundation
Bank charges
Professional fees
Exchange rate variance		 Grant
funding of
activities
2024
Support
costs
2024
£
£
139,381
-
-
4,813
139,381
4,813
Grant
funding of
activities
2023
Support
costs
2023
£
£
243,165
-
-
7,809
243,165
7,809
Other charitable
activities
2024
£
4,300
513
4,813
Other charitable
activities
2023
£
4,300
15
3,327
167
7,809		 Grant
funding of
activities
2024
Support
costs
2024
£
£
139,381
-
-
4,813
139,381
4,813
Grant
funding of
activities
2023
Support
costs
2023
£
£
243,165
-
-
7,809
243,165
7,809
Other charitable
activities
2024
£
4,300
513
4,813
Other charitable
activities
2023
£
4,300
15
3,327
167
7,809		 Total
funds
2024
£
139,381
4,813
144,194
Total
funds
2023
£
243,165
7,809
250,974
Total
funds
2024
£
4,300
513
4,813
Total
funds
2023
£
4,300
15
3,327
167
7,809

Page 22

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

12. Auditors' remuneration

2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual
accounts 10,620 9,990

Page 23

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

13. Fixed asset investments

Valuation
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
Net cash movement
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
Investments at market value comprise
Listed investments
Cash awaiting investment
Total net investment transactions
Equity
Loans
Cash		 Listed
investments
£
10,964,129
2,072,647
(1,685,396)
787,573
-
12,138,953
12,138,953
10,964,129		 Cash
awaiting
investment
£
390,416
-
-
-
(151,024)
239,392
239,392
390,416
2024
£
12,138,953
239,392
12,378,345
2024
£
10,714,740
1,424,213
239,392
12,378,345		 Total
£
11,354,545
2,072,647
(1,685,396)
787,573
(151,024)
12,378,345
12,378,345
11,354,545
2023
£
10,964,129
390,416
11,354,545
2023
£
9,559,659
1,404,470
390,416
11,354,545

Page 24

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

14. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Grants payable
Accruals		 2024
£
65,469
19,615
85,084		 2023
£
108,227
18,562
126,789

15. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Balance at 1
April 2023
£
Unrestricted funds
General Funds - all funds
304,418
Endowment funds
Endowment Funds - all funds
11,182,329
Total of funds
11,486,747
Statement of funds - prior year
Balance at
1 April 2022
£
Income
£
Unrestricted
funds
General Funds -
all funds
253,657
8,600
Endowment
funds
Endowment
Funds - all
funds
12,064,627
189,731
Total of funds
12,318,284
198,331		 Balance at 1
April 2023
£
Unrestricted funds
General Funds - all funds
304,418
Endowment funds
Endowment Funds - all funds
11,182,329
Total of funds
11,486,747
Statement of funds - prior year
Balance at
1 April 2022
£
Income
£
Unrestricted
funds
General Funds -
all funds
253,657
8,600
Endowment
funds
Endowment
Funds - all
funds
12,064,627
189,731
Total of funds
12,318,284
198,331		 Income
£
Expenditure
£
8,600
(148,494)
239,076
(45,519)
247,676
(194,013)
Expenditure
£
Transfers
in/out
£
(257,839)
300,000
(41,982)
(300,000)
(299,821)
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
1,057,777
1,057,777
Gains/
(Losses)
£
-
(730,047)
(730,047)		 Balance at
31 March
2024
£
164,524
12,433,663
12,598,187
Balance at
31 March
2023
£
304,418
Unrestricted
funds
General Funds -
all funds
Endowment
funds
Endowment
Funds - all
funds
Total of funds		 Balance at
1 April 2022
£
253,657
12,064,627
12,318,284
11,182,329
11,486,747

Page 25

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

16. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current period

Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Endowment
funds
2024

£
12,378,345
55,318
-
12,433,663		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
-
249,608
(85,084)
164,524		 Total
funds
2024
£
12,378,345
304,926
(85,084)
12,598,187

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period

Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Total		 Endowment
funds
2023
£
11,182,329
-
-
11,182,329		 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
172,216
258,991
(126,789)
304,418		 Total
funds
2023
£
11,354,545
258,991
(126,789)
11,486,747

Page 26

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

16. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Endowment Fund

The Endowment Fund was established in 1954. The objectives of the Trust are as stated in the Trustees Report.

As permitted by the Charity Commission (see Note 2.6), the trustees have opted to invest the endowment on a total return basis which means they are free to invest to maximise total return over the long term rather than to meet short term income targets.

The Total Return policy was adopted with effect from 1 April 2018. The valuation of the investment and the initial value of the UTR was determined by reference to the average value of the endowment as at 31 March 2017.

The Trust's objectives are to achieve a total real return over a rolling five-year period to preserve the permanent endowment in real terms while sustaining a spending rate of 3.0% of total asset value per annum and to maintain an overall total risk level that reduces to an acceptable level the likelihood of the UTR being exhausted under any likely five-year market fall whilst allowing the Trust to support its spending commitments over this period.

In accordance with the regulations, the Trustees decide each year how much to transfer to the Income Fund and how much to retain in the Unapplied Total Return (UTR) to ensure their ability to spend in the future. In the year, the Trust spent the usual amount but chose to take a portion from accumulated income and £300,000 (2023: £Nil) from the UTR. This accumulated income had become quite large because the Trustees set aside funds for a project at the Gulbenkian Library in Jerusalem which was subsequently withdrawn.

Page 27

Saint Sarkis Charity Trust

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

17. Grant commitments

At 31 March 2024 the Trust had future minimum grant payments under legal obligation of £2,000 (2023: £2,000) per annum, payable to the Armenian Church of St Sarkis.

18. Related party transactions

The charity has Trustees in common with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation who, during the year donated services valued at £8,600 (2023: £8,600) to the trust.

During the year no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023: £Nil).

During the year no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023: £Nil).

There were no outstanding balances with any related parties as at the year end.

19. Controlling party

The Trustees are the controlling party of the Charity.

Page 28

Saint Sarkis - Accounts for signitaure

Final Audit Report

2024-12-16

Created: 2024-12-16 By: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation UK Branch (cholmes@gulbenkian.org.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAOc0-91ZpjBuvDgvthpkH-iVVRW61jIWq

"Saint Sarkis - Accounts for signitaure" History

Document created by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation UK Branch (cholmes@gulbenkian.org.uk) 2024-12-16 - 3:45:37 PM GMT

Document emailed to msessayan@outlook.com for signature

2024-12-16 - 3:46:35 PM GMT

Email viewed by msessayan@outlook.com

2024-12-16 - 10:50:05 PM GMT

Signer msessayan@outlook.com entered name at signing as Martin Essayan 2024-12-16 - 10:51:53 PM GMT

Document e-signed by Martin Essayan (msessayan@outlook.com) Signature Date: 2024-12-16 - 10:51:55 PM GMT - Time Source: server

Agreement completed.

2024-12-16 - 10:51:55 PM GMT