OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-12-31-accounts

Richard Place Dobson Services Limited Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

page 17

Annual Report and Financial Statements

Charity registration number 233701

Company registration number 00115703 (England and Wales)

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Andrew Douglas (appointed on 15 December 2020)
Robert George
David Gill (appointed on 15thMarch 2021)
Heather Nowlan
Raymond O'Connell (Treasurer)
Edward Percival (Chair)
Graham Walter (Vice Chair from December 2021)
Darris Williams (appointed on 15thDecember 2020)
Amelia Bennett (Vice Chair, resigned on December 1st2021)
Secretary Dr Wanda Wyporska
Charity number 233701
Company number 00115703
Registered office (until September 2021)
14 Charterhouse Buildings
Goswell Road
London
EC1M 7BA
(from October 2021)
Richard Place Dobson Services Limited
Ground Floor
1 - 7 Station Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1HT
Auditor Richard Place Dobson Services Limited
Ground Floor
1 - 7 Station Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1HT
Bankers HSBC
74 Goswell Road
London
EC1V 7DA
Solicitors Withers LLP
20 Old Bailey
London
EC4M 7AN

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

CONTENTS

Page
Chairman's statement 1
Trustees' report 2 - 13
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 14
Independent auditor's report 15 - 17
Statement of financial activities 18 - 19
Balance sheet 20 - 21
Statement of cash flows 22
Notes to the financial statements 23 - 37

Draft Annu81 Report 1115n2 SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 e from the C.'hlrnA As ever, I find myself writing ai%)ui huge change at the Society. but as we end the first half of 2022. 1 am delighted to say that the direction of change is exciiing, positive and showing great results already. We have a lot to look forward to in 2022 and tryon4J. Ye¢ again, COVID-19 had a hugc IMp￿t on our abilitics ts) function in person and an added cijmplexity was moving out 0fcharterl￿use Buildin8S Ot a far more ￿¢¢I¢￿ted speed than w¢ had anti¢ipat¢d. Thi5 Wa5 thanks largely to staff. c&8ua] statrand volUn￿ts, all ut)dtr the great leadership of Laura Doyle, who S¢Tved as Int¢rim Chief EX￿￿tIVe unlil Septemkr 2021 and continued to advis¢ until the ¢nd of the y¢&r. A5 we left ¢he buildin& we welcomed ournewChiefExecutive, Drwanda wy￿r8ka. tnoved totemporary premises in North London. After an ¢nthusiastiC 5earrh for premise5. having Ca￿led out due dilig¢nce, w¢ w¢r¢ disappoind ￿ discover some major issue5 with our pr05PXtiv¢ new home and so th¢ search began on¢c more. We ¢x￿cl to be in new pre(nises early in 2023, but the delay h&s given us the opportunity to forensically analyse our¢oll¢¢tions, starta huge dL8jtisation pro8rthnn]eofour Parish Registers and monwnen1￿ INcriptions, as well as launching the wonderful TrceSe4rchl11 and our onlin¢ Memorial Cards collection. Non¢ of this would have been w)ssible without the Sterling effort of our sthff t¢am, fanthsii¢ volut)t¢en and my ftllow Trustees, all of whom I would like to heartily thank for their hard work. I'd also like to reeord my appreciation of our rnembeTS who have stuck with ￿, &$ we undergo this SI￿1r1CanI transforni&tion of systems, premises and our online offering. It has to be s&id that we have be¢n abl¢ to ￿8¢h far morc meml*rs and non-members with our renowned educational pmgjwnme aThJ e8lendir of events, including our inaugural youth Conference. held with the Family History F¢dergtion. This was just one tsf many significant partnerships the Soctety is r¢n¢wing ond forging in the history and genealogy communities. tx) look out for some mor¢ exciting announc¢ments this year and some offers from partners which will enhan¢¢ yourmeMbe￿hlp. I wwlt ti) thatsk our Tru5t¢e Board, which has, once again, given ge4kerously of time and expertise, to take what hav¢ often be¢n complex de¢isK)ns. l am delight￿ to welcome Graharn Walter as Vice Chairand we Shall soon be opening up our search for new tnjstees and a new Chair. l am also looking forward to our first hybrid AGM on July 2￿1 and htspe to see rnany of you there. TheTe are very exciting times thead for the Society of GeneAlogists. &5 we look to the fvture with a new stratsgy for growt pthnership, and the r¢ai desire to make our collections m¢)r¢ wcessible to the genealogy community hnd all who are interested in faTtJily hi$tory. W¢or¢w¢ll on the way to d¢liverin8 a refreshed organisation which 1$ susthinobl¢ and fit for puwe. However. such hug¢ change nece55itated extr¢mely dilfi￿lt de¢isions and the Society had to make a numberof redundancies in 2021. The sai¢ of the building allowed us to carry out the trAnsfomiatiOD And we are confidertt that you will like the wider-ranging results. We extrtmely grat¢ful to all thos¢ who have left us gifts in their wills or Tnade g¢nerou& donations. As a membership organisation and a ¢harity, we air reliant upon membership inwme and th¢ generosity of our donors. Our success is in large part due to your generosity and so my last words are to CXPftS5 Tt]y deepest grdtitude to all those who hav¢ $upport¢d with time, expertise and ththatioDs- we would not able to cary out such a con$id¢rdble improvements for tk 8ener&lions to come without you. 17 gel

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Society's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "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)".

Objectives and Activities / Achievements

Objectives and Aims of the Society

The objectives and aims of the charity are to promote, encourage and foster the study, science and knowledge of genealogy. The Society’s principal activities in achieving this aim continue to relate to education:

The objectives set in 2021 were radically challenged by the continuing impact of COVID19 and the effects of the furlough of the library team, as well as by the closure of service, which made it imperative to try to maintain membership numbers as best we could; provide digital services through education and web interactions; keep our members informed of our endeavours and to devise and implement a strategic plan for the future. Due to ongoing updating and transformation of our systems, the move from Charterhouse Buildings and new leadership, the previous targets for cataloguing and data provision were set aside, although activity continued in these areas where possible, against a backdrop of packing and storing our library and archives. COVID-19 secure measures were introduced for the safety of staff and visitors and the library was configured for a limited number of members to pre-book visits under socially distanced regulations. In anticipation of the potential fall in the Society’s income a concerted appeal for donations via the website was instigated along with the general legacy fundraising.

page 2

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Strategic Overview

Having sold the Society’s premises, it was originally intended to lease back the building for two years, in preparation for a more leisurely move. However, after consideration of costs of rent and maintenance etc., it was decided that instead of continuing to lease the building, an investment be made in the transformation of systems and preparation of the collections. The Society gave formal notice, closed the building to visitors from July and in October 2021 left 14 Charterhouse Buildings, which had been its home since 1984. The Society moved into temporary offices at the Resource for London Centre in Holloway Road, North London.

Extensive surveys of members and stakeholders led the Society to instruct agents to search for new premises in London and a potential building was identified. Unfortunately, some way into the due diligence investigations, it proved to be unsuitable. The search began again at the end of the year and it is envisaged that the Society will be in new premises in the first half of 2023. Operational day-today priorities for 2021 became dominated by the mammoth task of packing up and preparation of the library, archives, materials in the SoG offsite storage in Braintree, shop and offices to store and for the move. Alongside this, ongoing work with the transformation of new systems and the remote delivery of the Education programme and communications continued. Despite a backlog as a result of the library staff being furloughed in 2020, the sterling work of the staff team maintained a smooth service as membership numbers remained relatively stable and the preparations and packing were completed on time. Deep strategic work was put on hold out of necessity and due to the anticipated arrival of the incoming CEO.

The Board of trustees appointed a new permanent Chief Executive, Dr Wanda Wyporska, who shortly after joining in October, oversaw the second online AGM. This had been postponed to December 1[st] , but saw one of the highest attendance rates for an AGM.

In 2021 the Society has:

page 3

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Future

The hard work and transformation of systems undertaken in 2021 will place the Society in a far stronger position to face the future. The collections reviews and survey of the library’s books, microforms, multimedia and archive manuscript collections will enable decisions to be made about the best use of space and provide a bedrock upon which to improve library services. Work will continue to provide better access to existing digital collections and to create more. Our manuscript archives can be better maintained and prepared for improved access, which our digitisation programme will support.

The Society expects to be in the temporary offices in Holloway Road until the end of 2022, and while there, the management of the storage of the library and collections and the order and retrieval procedures is being fine-tuned in anticipation of the move to a new building. We have also started to welcome volunteers and members back to the library.

A new strategic review, analysing the changing landscape of the industry, our transformation and partnerships, will ensure a more secure financial and operational foundation. The Society will continue its work to ensure the purchase of a new building is achieved and managed successfully, since this is a key part of the growth strategy. Moving to a new building is an exciting prospect and there is much that improved facilities will do to support greater outreach, events, education and partnerships within the genealogy and history communities. The Society intends to provide improved membership opportunities and services and to ensure that it serves all. Work is already under way to promote and work with young genealogists and those of more diverse communities. There are opportunities for the Society to forge new partnerships and funding pathways. The coming year is both challenging and exciting, as 2022 will be a year of consolidation and strategic planning.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. The purpose of the Charity is encapsulated in its objects to promote, encourage and foster the study, science and knowledge of genealogy. One excellent example is the Open Access area which provides a good resource to newcomers in starting their educational journey. By reading this report it will be clear what services the Society offers to ensure all the public can benefit from its services. The membership fees are kept as low as possible and the Society is frequently to be seen at shows, giving talks to local history societies, the broader history community and creating partnerships in kind.

The Treesearch™ application is free to use for the first selection of family trees and will form part of the Society’s suite of educational materials to be used in schools, colleges and community settings. Once the Society is firmly ensconced in its new premises, the tradition of open days and taster sessions will recommence, as part of our marketing programme.

page 4

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Achievements and Performance

The performance of different departments are highlighted throughout this Annual Report. The Trustees recognise the need to have some Key Performance Indicators to assess whether the Society is achieving its o bjectives. Given the uncertainty at the start of 2021 and the subsequent change in plans to swiftly move premises, not all of the annual Key Performance Indicators were relevant. The Board of Trustees and the Management Team suspended these ‘business as usual’ objectives during the transformation period. In their place, the focus was moved to successful achievement of the Transformation Plan within the set budget. Once the Transformation and its consolidation, is complete, new performance indicators will be set, appropriate to the goals of the Society and its new strategy in 2023.

The Library

Due to ongoing COVID restrictions the library remained closed to visitors from November 2020 until May 2021, after which public access was reduced to a maximum of 20 members for pre-booked sessions on Tuesdays and the first Thursday of the month. The library was closed to visitors from July in order to prepare for the move. All items in the library were packed and inventoried in anticipation of the move and the contents of the library and archives transferred to store. The Society is working with Restore, which has provided similar services for other libraries and archives along with their Heritage Storage arm, a remote heritage archiving facility in Oxfordshire that partners with the National Conservation Service to inspect and ensure the books and other collections are mould and pest free and in good condition. Work commenced in ingesting the inventoried information onto the library catalogue and preparing to create an order and retrieval service for future library users and members wishing to use our library collections in a new building.

A considerable number of indexes, databases and digital books were uploaded to SoG Data Online, and, along with new accessions, were reported in the Genealogists’ Magazine. As part of the Society’s aim to ensure that our library’s holdings are better known, the Society’s library catalogue was successfully uploaded onto the Library Hub Discover service, part of the Jisc National Bibliographic Database (NBK), the successor to Copac. Library Hub Discover is a union catalogue which hosts the catalogues of various academic and specialist libraries, providing holdings information to researchers nationwide and the listing of the 157,000 items on the catalogue has started to attract academic research interest. This was an achievement led by our Head of Library and Archive Services, Francisca Mkandawire, who we are sorry to say, stepped down in 2022 to take up another role.

page 5

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Projects

Thanks to the ongoing efforts of staff and volunteers, project work on our digital collections continued. Significantly the scanning, transcription and indexing of the Society’s Pedigree Rolls collection continued and in December a prototype of the forthcoming TreeSearch™ was exhibited to members in anticipation of the formal launch at Rootstech 2022. The innovative TreeSearch™ application makes a selection of twenty pedigrees available for free. This is part of the wider ambitious project to digitise the entire collection of over 10,000 physical family trees and pedigrees held by the Society. The application features enhanced navigation and search facilities and has been developed in tandem with Zoompast. The Society was delighted to receive a grant from the Art Fund towards the project and is indebted to the many volunteers who have created the tree images, indexed the trees and linked those index entries with the images. Additionally scanning and indexing of a smaller but unique collection of Memorial Cards was completed and became available online in 2022.

Volunteering

In 2021, the long winter lockdown was a hugely productive period for the Society’s home indexing projects – the Great Card Index, the Pedigree Rolls Project, and SoG Data Online indexing (including burials and christenings from parish registers and poll books). During the period of limited opening to members from May through to July, volunteers came onsite and although many were understandably still reluctant to travel to London, there was great support for library staff and enquiry desk coverage. From May, a very hardworking and enthusiastic team of volunteers (some of whom had never volunteered at the Society before) assisted our staff and casual workers with the checking, listing and packing of the library and archive collections. Without this volunteer help, it would have been almost impossible to meet the deadline for the vacation of Charterhouse Buildings. Throughout the year volunteers participated in various aspects of the Transformation programme, including new software testing; research and focus group activities; family histories collection inventory checking; and transcription of the handwritten lists created by library packers.

The SoG Volunteer Community forum was as busy as ever and continues to be a great way to reach and involve volunteers in the Society’s work no matter where they live. Home project workers have continued to use the forum to interact and assist one another as they work through their projects and online project resources on the forum continued to grow with volunteer contributions to this knowledge bank. Volunteers have continued to host and co-host our online events programme and assist members with their questions on the SoG Community Hub. Volunteers also served at the Society’s virtual booth at the RootsTech virtual conference. The Society recognises and values the cheerful hard work of all the volunteers in 2021 and is extremely grateful to them all for their work which was so important during this year and will continue to be vital in the Society’s major transformation plans.

page 6

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Membership

The 2020 Transformation review recommended the appointment of a new Head of Membership Services and this appointment was made in February 2021 at a time when it was essential to introduce a quick replacement for the SoG’s membership system. Economic uncertainty continued into 2021 and along with the closure of the building, the Society predicted an impact on membership numbers. While membership did decline overall, the Society attracted over 500 new members and the final figures stood at 7,109 at the end of 2021, which was considerably better than the worst-case scenario budgeted for as a result of the closures and lack of some services.

Total members as of Dec 2021:

Member UK 5,356
Member Full 370
Member Associate 740
Member Overseas 455
Member 50 Years 150
Honorary/life members 38
TOTAL 7,109

New Members pay £80 for Full Membership and £56 for Associate Membership. Day entry fees remain at £5 for two hours, £10 for four hours and £18 for a day. Associate Members receive 50% discount on the four hour and day rates. Membership fees remained the same for Full Members prior to 19 September, 2017. Part of the strategic review being undertaken is to introduce packages for new members.

Communications

The newly designed SoG e-newsletter was well received during the year and is distributed monthly to anyone who wishes to subscribe. The quarterly Genealogists’ Magazine for members continues to be published as a paper copy and on PDF via the members’ area of the website. The new forum for online volunteers was extensively used throughout the year and plans were set in motion to redesign a new members’ area and members’ online forum for the new SoG website. The website itself was completely redesigned and refreshed with new content and its first phase of redevelopment was launched in the second half of the year. The Society remains active on social media, on its Facebook Page and promotes its events via Instagram and Pinterest. The Society established #SoGSaturdays and the twitter account @SocGenealogists. Genealogical consultation and advice lines remained in abeyance during 2021 and were revived in 2022. While personal genealogical consultations and telephone enquiries in the library were put on hold, the Society dealt with a marked increase in emailed genealogical enquiries and queries.

Fundraising

As part of the Transformation review, a Grants and Fundraising Manager was appointed and achieved great success, as SoG was one of just 22 organisations to secure a grant from the Art Fund's Reimagine fund. Art Fund, the national charity for art, supports museums, galleries, historic houses, trusts and networks and enable them to develop access, expertise and digital capacity. The Fund awarded the Society £50,000 to fund the Pedigree Rolls Project - ‘Reimagining how we work and engage with people’. Grants were also awarded to the Society from the Radcliffe Trust and the National Manuscript Conservation Trust for the conservation and care of the Eyre Roll, one of the largest and most delicate rare rolled pedigrees held in the Society’s collection. Our generous members continued to support the Society in 2021and we would like to thank all who contributed.

The Friends of the Society initiative continued and in 2021 raised £4,686 (down from £9,826 in 2020).

The Society would like to encourage people to make a regular standing order donation of any sum large or small, monthly or annually, with our Fund for the Future programme. Income during 2021 stabilised at £1,238 (2020 £1,238). We were also notified of, and received, a number of very generous legacies and bequests. This is reflected in the accounts.

page 7

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Education, Lectures, and Courses

In 2021, the Events Department ran a total of 147 online events, with seven longer courses of between 4 and 12 weeks, which proved very popular. Along with regular member orientations about the website and digital collections, a programme of online social events for members included the quarter day socials (Lady Day, Midsummer, Michaelmas and Christmas), which allowed for regular updates on the Transformation, projects, new library databases and web features as well as interaction with the staff and trustees. A series of monthly lunchtime chats brought members together to replicate the free interchange and discussions formerly to be found in the library and common room where a wide range of topics were discussed. A Society of Genealogists online Members Book Club had its inaugural meeting in October to discuss the work of Nathan Dylan Goodwin and hosted the author the following month. A full and very successful programme is underway in 2022 and we have expanded the team. Income increased to £112, 737. The Society welcomed some 7,473 attendees, (an increase from the 2020 figure of 6,226) of whom 18% were non-members. The Society also took the decision to elect events and education income for VAT from April 1[st] , 2022.

External Liaison and Media Coverage

As the genealogy world became more virtual the Society of Genealogists was represented at online genealogy events run by the Family History Federation (the Really Useful Show in November), The Genealogist’s Family History Shows (June and September), The Oxfordshire FHS Online Genealogy Fair (October) and the largest virtual event RootsTech Connect (in February 2021 and March 2022). The SoG was a society sponsor for this event with a virtual stand, a sponsored stream of recorded talks given by Society members and the Genealogist. She also gave several online talks for local family historians.

As part of media coverage of the 2021 national census the Society gained coverage in national and local radio, TV and print media, as well as the genealogy and charity trade press, on the census, royal genealogy and the appointment of the new Chief Executive.

The Society’s Transformation programme was featured in a feature in Family Tree Magazine. The Society’s revamped website was cited in Who Do You Think You Are Magazine’s Website to Watch and a team of tutors and speakers from the SoG provided hints and tips for a feature on genealogy courses in the same magazine.

The Society continues partnerships with FindMyPast and FamilySearch to digitise and make available data and collections. The Society remains an Affiliate Library with FamilySearch. While the Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS) is currently unable to open its library at the Society, IGRS members continue to support our education programme. The Jewish Genealogical Society has relocated its library to the Jewish Museum in Camden, London. The Society continues to represent and advocate for the genealogy community and liaises with various record societies and archives.

Premises

The sale of Charterhouse Buildings was concluded in 2020 with a two-year leaseback. However, ongoing maintenance costs and expenses, unsatisfactory and cramped general working conditions for staff and volunteers, as well as the detrimental effect of the building on our collections, contributed to the Board’s decision that the Society would be unable to continue working in the premises for the next two years. Hence the decision was made to terminate the lease agreement and begin preparations to pack up the library and vacate Charterhouse Buildings after 37 years. As described elsewhere, we are still in the process of finalising a decision on the new premises. We look forward to announcing our new location as soon as possible.

page 8

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Acknowledgments

Patron

HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia (2013 – April 2022)

President

Patric Dickinson, LVO, MA, FSG (2010 – April 2022)

Vice-Presidents

William Bortrick (2014 – April 2022) Dr Colin Chapman, FSG (2014 – April 2022) Miriam Margolyes, OBE (2014- April 2022) Sir Mervyn Medlycott, FSG (2014 – 2021) Dan Snow (2014 – April 2022) The Rt Hon Lord Sudeley, FSA (2014 – April 2022)

After a change in the articles of the Society at the 2021 AGM, the terms of Vice Presidents and the President were reset, in accordance with the new clauses. The Board has nominated Patric Dickinson, Dr Colin Chapman and Miriam Margolyes as President and Vice Presidents respectively, to be voted upon by members at the 2022 AGM in July.

Fellows

The constitution sets a maximum of 100 Fellows and 10 Honorary Fellows. Those put forward for Fellowship must have been members for at least five consecutive years, but those proposed for Honorary Fellowship do not need to be members of the Society at the time of their nomination. Candidates for either honour must be proposed by not fewer than six Fellows and a secret ballot is then held among all the Fellows. Successful nominees must secure a two-thirds majority. In weighing their vote, Fellows must judge whether those proposed for Fellowship have rendered ‘distinguished services to the Society or to genealogy’ and whether they wish to honour those proposed for Honorary Fellowship for their ‘very distinguished services to genealogy’.

As a result of the pandemic and lockdowns, it was decided to postpone the Fellows’ meeting and therefore no nominations were put to the Fellows.

It is with sadness that we report that Michael J. Burchall, Eric D. Probert and Sheila A. Rowlands have died since the last report.

Awards

The Board of Trustees is able to recognise the contribution of members, non-members and appropriate organisations through the award of a Certificate of Appreciation. His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent has graciously agreed that a special award may be made from time to time bearing his name. In 2021 no awards were made.

Financial review

The policy of the Society is as follows: “[t]he Trustees have forecast the level of free reserves including liquid investments (that is those funds not tied up in fixed assets, designated and restricted funds) the Charity will require to sustain its operations and make appropriate adjustments should there be a material reduction in the Charity’s income. The Trustees consider that the most appropriate level of free reserves should be not less than a sum equivalent to six months of the Charity’s running costs,. It is the Trustees’ view that the balance of income and expenditure should be managed to maintain the appropriate level of free reserves.”

Risk Statement

The Society recognises that it has a responsibility to manage risks effectively in order to control its assets and liabilities, protect its employees and community against potential losses or against obstacles in the way of achieving its objectives. The Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage and minimise those risks. Additionally the risk assessments required to ensure the safety of employees and the public against COVID-19 were regularly reviewed and implemented.

page 9

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Principal risk identified Planned response
A continued steady decline in membership (due to the
demographics and the uncertainty of the impact of the
increased cost of living) combined with increases in
operational costs through general inflation are a threat to
the long-term sustainability of the Society and the services
it offers.		 Through the Transformation Programme, Trustees have
taken steps to increase the efficiency of the organisation and to
reverse the long-term trend in membership and decline in
income. The new strategy includes plans to diversify income
streams, develop campaigns on legacy giving, individual
donations and grant funding.
Lack of a permanent physical home and the restriction
on traditional services during the relocation period
reduces the effectiveness of the Society and its
attractiveness to existing and new members.		 Trustees are seeking to confirm a new permanent physical
home for the Society in London but in the meanwhile, the
Society is based in a temporary office in North London. Staff
have put in place arrangements to welcome back members and
volunteers in this temporary office while the purchase of new
premises is completed.
The digitisation programme is intended to enhance online
services and access and our education and events programme
has hugely expanded to make the Society more accessible to a
wider range of members and non-members.
Changing
responses
to
COVID-19
through
the
emergence of new variants limit the Society’s ability to
operate and present a challenge to the health and well-
being of staff, volunteers and visitors.		 The Trustees have taken a precautionary approach to the use
of buildings and will continue to do so, by limiting access,
providing all appropriate social distancing and
hygiene
measures, and by enabling more activity to be undertaken
remotely, including through online
collaboration and the
provision of digital tools.
Loss of key staff due to burn out, workload, changing
labour market and other reasons.		 The Trustees are supporting a review of skills, workloads, and
management practices which is underway. This employment
review will identify better working practices, and what the
organisation needs to support current staff.

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution & Organisation

Constitution

The Society of Genealogists is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Articles of Association, which were revised and updated, according to good practice, and approved by the members at the AGM in 2021. Charity number 233701. Company number 115703.

page 10

Annual Report and Financial Statements SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The Board of Trustees

For the purposes of charity law, a Board of Trustees are directors of and administer the charitable company. The Board consists of up to 10 members who receive no emoluments for their service. As set out in the Articles of Association, the Trustees are elected by the charity’s members, serving for a term of three years and for a maximum of two successive terms. These Trustees have the power to appoint an honorary treasurer and an honorary solicitor, who ex-officio serve as members of the Board. No honorary solicitor has been appointed for many years. The Trustees also have the power to elect any eligible member of the Society to the Board to fill any casual vacancy arising between one Annual General Meeting and the next; any person so elected shall retire at the AGM next following their election but shall be eligible for re-election. The Trustees serving during the year 2021 and up to the date of this report are listed on page [5].

Committees

The Board of Trustees appoints other committees and working parties as it considers expedient from time to time.

The Society’s Governing documents require all Trustees to become a Member once successful in applying for Board membership. By not having to be a member for a requisite time in advance it means individuals with a particular skillset can become a Trustee.

Trustees are recruited through notice in the main instruments of communications with Members i.e. The Genealogists’ Magazine, the newsletter and the Website and actively approach organisations where skilled people put themselves forward for positions on the Board. We carry out an audit of skillsets when considering any gaps for new applicants. Applicants wishing to put themselves forward are invited for an interview and appropriate checks to ensure they satisfy the criteria of Trustee along with a CV and covering letter. Formal election takes place at the Annual General Meeting where all Members have a right to vote.

The Society requires a good cross section of skills on its board of Trustees to cover all the areas the Charity encompasses. Formal processes ensure there are no major gaps in necessary skillsets and that all Trustees are aware of their responsibilities. This process is consistently under review to ensure it is still adequate for our needs.

To assist ongoing awareness, Trustees receive any updates received from the Charity Commission, etc. Training is continual as needs arise. A Chief Executive Officer is employed by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day activities of the charity.

New Trustees have an induction to familiarise them with the organisation and assess where best they can use their skills to contribute to the governance of the charity.

Staff

Staff during 2021 to the date of this report:

Management Team:

Interim Chief Executive Officer: Laura Doyle (until Oct 2021)

Chief Executive: Dr Wanda Wyporska (from October 2021) Head of Library Services: Francisca Mkandawire (until May 2022)

Genealogist: Else Churchill

Internal Transformation and Volunteer Manager: Christine Worthington Head of Membership: Rebecca Gregory (from February 2021)

We would like to thank the following current members of staff:

Emma Jolly, Lori Weinstein, Catherine Hopkins, Virginia Gilman, Elizabeth Little, Eve Dickie, Ruth Willmore, Heather LaineWebster, and Robbie Allcock.

During 2021, there was a larger than usual turnover of staff, for a number of reasons outlined in this report. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following members of staff who left the organisation in 2021 and the first half of 2022: Francisca Mkandawire, Melanie Skinner, Claire Bullen, Angela Thomson, Jack Sharp, Ahmed Almuterab, Laura Hill, Chris Mappley, Hannah Leathem, Emily Cosaitis, Neil Fludger, and Laura Doyle.

page 11

Suppller pymtn pollcy The comp&ny's curient policy conc¥rnEng the ￿YMent of rrade OTeditors is lo follow the CBI'S Vrompl Payers Code (copies are available fr¢itn the CBI. Cetstr&Point, 103 Newoxford Slreet, Londim WCI A IDU}. Tlie company's current policy co￿¢¢m1r￿ the payment of tr8dÈ creditors is to.. soltle the tems of paymet)t with supplierg when &gr￿ing the terms of eath tr&3saction,' • efjsure that suppliers ft￿ Inade aware of th¢ t¢nMs of payment by indusion of the relev8nt ¢¢rms in eonlracts. and pay io accordonce with the CoMp￿Y'S contractual aRd other legat oblig&tiOll8. Dlsrlowre of InforfflAtion to xudltor Eath of tlte tiustees hAs ¢ODfiTmed that there is no thfonnation of which thty ire aware thich is rdevwkl to the audit, but of thich theauditor is utiawwe. They have fi]rther confimied thattlieyhavetaken appropriate stews to identify suth releV￿t Inforn￿￿OI) 8J)d fo estthlÈsh that the auditor is awweof I￿rormation. t2es' report was approved by the Board of Th]st￿. Andrew Deuglag Trnltee Edward Percival (Chair) Th18tee page 12

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

page 13

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The Trustees, who are also the directors of Society of Genealogists for the purpose of company law, 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).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the society and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

page 14

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Society of Genealogists (the ‘Society’) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including 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).

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 Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the society in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’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 Society’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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's 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 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 in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

page 15

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees' responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the society for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they 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 Society’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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 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 auditor's 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. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.

In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatements due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.

However it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity’s operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.

In identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team made enquiries of management, and those charged with governance, regarding the procedures relating to identifying, evaluating and complying with;

  1. laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;

  2. detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

  3. the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;

As a result of these procedures we consider the most significant laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements are FRS 102, General Data Protection Regulations, Companies Act, Charities Act 2011, Charities Statement of Recommended Practice and employment law and regulations. We performed audit procedures to detect non-compliance, which may have a material impact on the financial statements. These included reviewing financial statement disclosures and evaluating advice received from external advisors. There were no significant laws and regulations we deemed as having an indirect impact on the financial statements.

page 16

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

The audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls as the area where the financial statements were most susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to testing manual journal entries and other adjustments and evaluating the rationale in relation to any significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside of the normal course of business.

The audit team have also identified existence and valuation of books, manuscripts and microfiches as a significant risk. Audit work carried out to address this risk, included but was not limited to, physical existence checks and searching on line for information regarding the value of books held.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

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 the charity’s Trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard Place Dobson Services Limited .....................................19/07/2022 Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Ground Floor 1 - 7 Station Road Crawley West Sussex RH10 1HT

Richard Place Dobson is eligible for appointment as auditor of the society by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

page 17

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Current financial year
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
2021
2021
2021
Notes
£
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
1,968,775
-
-
Charitable activities
4
475,856
-
13,051
Investments
5
836
-
-
Other income
6
31,736
-
-
Total income
2,477,203
-
13,051
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
4,068
-
-
Charitable activities
8
1,284,348
492,094
4,637
Total resources expended
1,288,416
492,094
4,637
Net incoming resources before transfers
1,188,787
(492,094)
8,414
Gross transfers between funds
3,896
(3,896)
-
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
1,192,683
(495,990)
8,414
Fund balances at 1 January 2021
1,149,598
5,580,742
55,760
Fund balances at 31 December 2021
2,342,281
5,084,752
64,174		 Total
2021
£
1,968,775
488,907
836
31,736
2,490,254
4,068
1,781,079
1,785,147
705,107
-
705,107
6,786,100
7,491,207		 Total
2020
£
130,400
494,691
1,209
3,329,450
3,955,750
4,823
705,805
710,628
3,245,122
-
3,245,122
3,540,978
6,786,100

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

page 18

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Prior financial year
Unrestricted Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
2020
2020
2020
Notes
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
130,400
-
-
Charitable activities
4
491,878
-
2,813
Investments
5
1,209
-
-
Other income
6
3,329,450
-
-
Total income
3,952,937
-
2,813
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
4,823
-
-
Charitable activities
8
687,234
14,693
3,878
Total resources expended
692,057
14,693
3,878
Net incoming resources before transfers
3,260,880
(14,693)
(1,065)
Gross transfers between funds
(2,519,133)
2,519,133
-
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
741,747
2,504,440
(1,065)
Fund balances at 1 January 2020
407,851
3,076,302
56,825
Fund balances at 31 December 2020
1,149,598
5,580,742
55,760		 Total
2020
£
130,400
494,691
1,209
3,329,450
3,955,750
4,823
705,805
710,628
3,245,122
-
3,245,122
3,540,978
6,786,100

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

page 19

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
Investments
14
Current assets
Stocks
15
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
17
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
19
General unrestricted funds		 2021
£
12,453
1,926,633
5,599,147
7,538,233
(294,042)
5,084,752
2,342,281		 £
227,016
20,000
247,016
7,244,191
7,491,207
64,174
7,427,033
7,491,207		 2020
£
16,498
331,120
6,335,943
6,683,561
(156,318)
5,580,742
1,149,598		 £
238,857
20,000
258,857
6,527,243
6,786,100
55,760
6,730,340
6,786,100

page 20

SOCl[I TY OF GENEALOGISTS BALANCE SUEF'I (CONTINUED) ASAf31 DECEMBER 2021 Th¢ company is entitied to the ¢xeryiion from the audit r4uiremenl ¢ont#ined section 477 of the Compaiit09 Act 2W6, for tho year endd 31.De¢ember 2021, altho￿ an ￿di£ h&$ i￿) cwri¢d sectÉon 144 of the ChAriti¢s Act 2011. Th¢ directors i¢knowledbye their cesponsibilities for complyin8 with tho rquir#wits of the COM￿leS Aet 2C()6 with respectto 8c¢ounting records andthe prepaiation of finaneiai statements. The members have not required tho company to obtain sn audit of its finan¢Éal statemmts under lh¢ r¢qutrements oe tho Companies Act 2￿6, for yMr in qu¢sfton in a¢coidan¢¢ with saclion 476. These rjttancl￿ statancnts havè prepared in ac¢ordJD¢o with th¢ provisions applicablo to ¢omp#tiies subje¢t to tho small companies regime. Th¢fi eial Statements wore appwvod by the Tnt8t¢es on ndrew DOu￿&S EdW￿d Percivai {Ch4ir) Trvth¢ Cofflpany withiion nu¥nb•r00115703 pnge21

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash absorbed by operations
25
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
Net cash (used in)/generated from investing
activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2021
£
(10,547)
-
836		 £
(727,085)
(9,711)
-
(736,796)
6,335,943
5,599,147		 2020
£
(12,200)
6,097,939
1,209		 £
(191,495)
6,086,948
-
5,895,453
440,490
6,335,943

page 22

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Society of Genealogists is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Richard Place Dobson Services Limited, 1-7 Station Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1HT.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Society's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 society is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the society. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Basis of Consolidation

These accounts are for Society of Genealogists and do not include the results of its subsidiary Society of Genealogists Enterprises Limited on the basis that the subsidiary entity has not traded during the year and is to be formally wound up after the year end.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Society has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated Funds are unrestricted funds which have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.

Donations are accounted for when receivable, so long as they are capable of financial measurement. Legacies are recognised when the Charity has been informed they are to be in receipt of a legacy.

Grants receivable are recognised when there is reasonable assurance of their receipt, whether capital or revenue in nature. Grants are recognised on an accruals basis.

Membership income represents subscriptions for membership of the charity and is recognised in the period to which it relates.

page 23

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

Event income represents sponsorship and entrance fees for events and is recognised in the accounts when the event takes place.

Genealogy income represents the sum paid for specific genealogical consultation.

Bookshop, magazine and publications income represents income from sales of genealogy books and the Society of Genealogist’s magazine and is recognised on the day the sale takes place.

1.5 Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office and governance costs which support membership, library, event, genealogy and bookshop and publication activities. These costs have been allocated and apportioned to the various charitable activates. A percentage basis has been used to apportion the support costs to the charitable activities. Staff support costs are by time allocation and all other support costs are by space allocation.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets other than books and manuscripts are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, for items over £250. No depreciation is provided on freehold land or on books, manuscripts, and typescripts, since it is the Society's practice to maintain these in a continual state of sound repair and any depreciation involved would not be material. Provision will be made should any permanent diminution in the value of these documents occur. The charity has chosen to take advantage of the transitional relief available on adoption of FRS102-1A and has elected to include the land and building at its valuation which is its deemed cost for the purposes of these accounts. The rates currently used are as follows:

Fixtures, fittings & computer equipment 20% on books value per annum Library 50% straight line per annum Microfilm 10% on book value per annum

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Fixed asset investments

The investment in the subsidiary is stated at cost less provision for any diminution in value.

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the Society reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.9 Stocks

Stocks of publications and other items for sale are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after providing for slow moving items.

page 24

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.11 Financial instruments

The Society has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Society's balance sheet when the Society becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Creditors 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. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.

1.12 Taxation

No provision has been made for corporation tax or deferred tax as the charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt.

1.13 Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

1.14 Retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme. The pension costs charged to the SOFA represent the amount of the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

1.15 Foreign exchange

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are included in net outgoing resources.

page 25

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1 Accounting policies

1.16 Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is included in Resources Expended within administration costs.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the Society’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Valuation of the library

The valuation of the books which are included within fixed assets is a material figure in the accounts and is based primarily on the historical cost value that the Society paid a number of years ago. Given that the majority of these items are not available to be purchased on the open market, it has been estimated that their value has not fluctuated since the original cost incurred by the Society. For insurance purposes the library is valued at £2,937,887.

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
general general
2021 2020
£ £
Donations and grants 106,775 72,799
Legacies receivable 1,862,000 57,601
1,968,775 130,400

page 26

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

4
Charitable
activity
income
Membership
income
Library income
Event income
Genealogy
income
Bookshop and
publications
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
£
£
£
£
£
Income
from
charitable
activities
345,324
14,515
112,737
193
16,138
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted
funds - general
345,324
1,464
112,737
193
16,138
Restricted
funds
-
13,051
-
-
-
345,324
14,515
112,737
193
16,138		 Total
2021
£
488,907
475,856
13,051
488,907		 Total
2020
£
494,691
491,878
2,813
494,691

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Membership
income
Library income
Event income
Genealogy
income
Bookshop and
publications
£
£
£
£
£
Income from charitable
activities
362,894
4,604
93,636
6,038
27,519
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
362,894
1,791
93,636
6,038
27,519
Restricted funds
-
2,813
-
-
-
362,894
4,604
93,636
6,038
27,519		 Total
2020
£
494,691
491,878
2,813
494,691

page 27

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

5 Investments

Interest receivable

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
general general
2021 2020
£ £
836 1,209

6 Other income

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
general general
2021 2020
£ £
Net gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets - 3,265,334
Royalties 29,570 33,346
Other income 2,166 4,118
Furlough income - 26,652
31,736 3,329,450
7 Raising funds
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
general general
2021 2020
£ £
Fundraising and publicity
Other fundraising costs 4,068 4,823
4,068 4,823

page 28

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

8 Charitable activities expenditure

Membership
expenditure
Library
expenditure
Event
expenditure
Genealogy
expenditure
Bookshop &
publications
Transformation
costs
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
53,406
209,807
64,849
-
53,405
-
Direct other costs
47,828
221,344
63,277
22,541
53,248
457,104
101,234
431,151
128,126
22,541
106,653
457,104
Share of support costs (see note 9)
386,881
56,441
13,341
-
56,441
-
Share of governance costs (see note 9)
8,255
5,080
5,503
-
2,328
-
496,370
492,672
146,970
22,541
165,422
457,104
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
496,370
4
146,970
22,541
165,422
-
Unrestricted funds - designated
-
34,990
-
-
-
457,104
Restricted funds
-
4,637
-
-
-
-
496,370
492,672
146,970
22,541
165,422
457,104		 Total
2021
£
381,467
865,342
1,246,809
513,104
21,166
1,781,079
1,
492,094
4,637
1,781,079		 Total
2020
£
327,741
95,736
423,477
265,973
16,355
705,805
687,234
14,693
3,878
705,805

page 29

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

8 Charitable activities expenditure

For the year ended 31 December 2020

Membership
expenditure
Library
expenditure
Event
expenditure
Genealogy
expenditure
Bookshop &
publications
expenditure
£
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
45,430
180,515
55,949
-
45,847
Direct other costs
29,293
18,800
20,645
17,276
9,722
74,723
199,315
76,594
17,276
55,569
Share of support costs (see
note 9)
104,039
61,057
70,627
-
30,250
Share of governance costs
(see note 9)
6,378
3,925
4,252
-
1,800
185,140
264,297
151,473
17,276
87,619
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
185,140
248,226
151,473
14,776
87,619
Unrestricted funds -
designated
-
14,693
-
-
-
Restricted funds
-
1,378
-
2,500
-
185,140
264,297
151,473
17,276
87,619		 Total
2020
£
327,741
95,736
423,477
265,973
16,355
705,805
687,234
14,693
3,878
705,805

page 30

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

9
Support costs
Support costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Staff costs
27,915
-
Depreciation
22,388
-
Staff training
50
-
Irrecoverable vat
108,193
-
Premises costs
341,802
-
Administration costs
12,756
-
Audit fees
-
10,750
Legal and professional
-
4,223
Governance costs heading 5
-
6,193
513,104
21,166		 2021
Support costs
Governance
costs
£
£
£
27,915
30,227
-
22,388
94,693
-
50
-
-
108,193
-
-
341,802
141,053
-
12,756
-
-
10,750
-
7,950
4,223
-
8,405
6,193
-
-
534,270
265,973
16,355		 2020
£
30,227
94,693
-
-
141,053
-
7,950
8,405
-
282,328

All support costs for 2020 and 2021 have been charged to unrestricted funds.

10 Net movement in funds 2021 2020
£ £
Net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting)
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial
statements 10,750 7,950
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 22,388 94,693
Loss/(profit) on disposal of tangible fixed assets - (3,265,334)

11 Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Society during the year, in relation to their duties as Trustees. Payments made to Trustees for other services are shown in note 22.

12 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Direct charitable activities
Governance
Total		 2021
Number
15
1
16		 2020
Number
14
2
16

page 31

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

12 Employees

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2021
£
367,170
26,724
15,488
409,382		 2020
£
317,999
23,799
16,170
357,968

Remuneration paid to key management during the year was £122,244 (2020: £135,358)

The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows:

70,000 - 80,000
90,000 - 100,000
Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2021
Additions
At 31 December 2021
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2021
Depreciation charged in the year
At 31 December 2021
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020		 Fixtures,
furniture,
fittings and
computer
equipment
£
610,991
8,936
619,927
602,876
20,488
623,364
(3,437)
8,115		 Library
£
228,242
1,611
229,853
-
-
-
229,853
228,242		 2021
Number
1
-
Microfilm
£
159,405
-
159,405
156,905
1,900
158,805
600
2,500		 2020
Number
-
1
Total
£
998,638
10,547
1,009,185
759,781
22,388
782,169
227,016
238,857

13 Tangible fixed assets

page 32

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

13 Tangible fixed assets

The valuation of books, manuscripts and typescripts is a 1952 professional valuation amounting to £8,195. Additions since then have been included at cost. The insured value of books, manuscripts, typescripts, microform, plant and machinery, fixtures and fittings is £2,991,210 (2020: £3,203,270).

The majority of fixed assets of the Society are used for direct charitable activities. The assets used for non-charitable activities are of immaterial values and therefore have not been disclosed separately in the financial statements.

14 Fixed asset investments

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2021 & 31 December 2021
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020
Other investments comprise:
Notes
Investments in subsidiaries
24
15
Stocks
Finished goods and goods for resale
16
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Other debtors
Building rent deposit
Prepayments and accrued income		 Investment in
subsidiary
20,000
20,000
20,000
2021
2020
£
£
20,000
20,000
2021
2020
£
£
12,453
16,498
2021
2020
£
£
6,262
3,322
7,465
14,867
1,892,046
85,910
5,637
207,000
15,223
20,021
1,926,633
331,120		 Investment in
subsidiary
20,000
20,000
20,000
2021
2020
£
£
20,000
20,000
2021
2020
£
£
12,453
16,498
2021
2020
£
£
6,262
3,322
7,465
14,867
1,892,046
85,910
5,637
207,000
15,223
20,021
1,926,633
331,120
20,000
20,000
2020
£
20,000
2020
£
16,498
2020
£
3,322
14,867
85,910
207,000
20,021
331,120

page 33

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2021
£
3,557
72,874
144,118
9,406
64,087
294,042		 2020
£
16,155
90,405
35,746
2,718
11,294
156,318

18 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at Incoming Resources Balance at
1 January 2020 resources expended 1 January 2021 resources expended 31 December
2021
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
Fellows fund 226 - - 226 - - 226
Library funds 29,777 2,813 (1,378) 31,212 461 - 31,673
Binding funds 1,372 - - 1,372 90 - 1,462
Transformation
funds 25,450 - (2,500) 22,950 - - 22,950
Pedigree Rolls
- Art Fund - - - - 12,500 (4,637) 7,863
56,825 2,813 (3,878) 55,760 13,051 (4,637) 64,174

The Fellows Fund is to be used by the Fellows for any purpose deemed appropriate. The Library Funds are to be used specifically for library purchases. The transfer to unrestricted funds represents capital expenditure incurred in the year.

The Binding Funds are to be used towards the cost of binding records.

The Transformation Funds (formally the IT Systems Funds) are to be used towards online data software.

Art Fund awarded the SoG a £50,000 Reimagine Grant for the development of our flagship digital Pedigree Rolls project, launched as TreeSearch™ at Rootstech 2022.

page 34

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

19 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Balance at
1 January 2020
Land and Buildings
2,832,605
Library Fund
(Books,
Manuscripts,
Microform)
243,697
Transformation
project
-
Relocation fund
-
3,076,302		 Incoming
resources
-
-
-
-
-		 Resources
expended
Transfers
Revaluations,
gains and losses
Balance at 31
December 2020
-
(2,832,605)
-
-
(14,693)
1,738
-
230,742
-
1,350,000
-
1,350,000
-
4,000,000
-
4,000,000
(14,693)
2,519,133
-
5,580,742		 Incoming
resources
-
-
-
-
-		 Resources
expended
-
(34,990)
(457,104)
-
(492,094)		 Transfers
Revaluations,
gains and losses
Balance at
31 December
2021
-
-
-
-
-
195,752
(303,896)*
-
589,000
300,000
-
4,300,000
(3,896)
-
5,084,752		 Transfers
Revaluations,
gains and losses
Balance at
31 December
2021
-
-
-
-
-
195,752
(303,896)*
-
589,000
300,000
-
4,300,000
(3,896)
-
5,084,752
5,084,752

The Library fund represents the funds of the charity that are to be used to add to the holdings of the library.

The land and buildings fund represents the funds of the charity that are tied up in the land and the buildings that the charity operates out of. The building was sold during the year. The Transformation project fund represents monies set aside from the sale of the property to be used in the multi-part transformation of the system and services of the Society. * The total cost to the Society of the Transformation project in the year was £970,104. This represented the direct costs of £457,104 and a loss of income from having to close the library and book shop of £513,000. The anticipated ongoing Transformation project costs for the year ended 31 December 2022 are £589,000. A further £209,104 has been transferred from the general fund to recognise the ongoing costs. These amounts are reflected in the netting off of the transfer amount above. The Relocation fund represents monies set aside to acquire a new property and related moving costs.

page 35

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

20
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
2021
2021
2021
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 December 2021 are represented
by:
Tangible assets
-
227,016
-
Investments
20,000
-
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
2,322,281
4,857,736
64,174
2,342,281
5,084,752
64,174
Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
2020
2020
2020
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 December 2020 are represented
by:
Tangible assets
8,115
230,742
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
1,121,483
5,350,000
55,760
1,129,598
5,580,742
55,760		 Total
2021
£
227,016
20,000
7,244,191
7,491,207
Total
2020
£
238,857
6,527,243
6,766,100

21 COVID 19

Since the end of 2019 the world has been affected by the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in disruption to some services, however the Society has moved to online delivery of education and events, which have reached more members and a range of non-members.

The move out of Charterhouse Buildings to a temporary office has enabled us to open to members and volunteers on a smaller scale in 2022. Membership has continued to decline, however, we are investing in digitisation, new premises and are extending our outreach and commercial partnerships. On this basis no adjustments have been made to the accounts for possible impacts from COVID-19.

22 Related party transactions

Prior permission by the Charity Commission has been given for Trustees to receive lecture fees and any author royalties. In 2021 there were £1,291 payments (2020 - £0) made to 2 Trustees (2020 - 0)

During the year there was a transfer made between the Charity and its trading subsidiary. The amount owed to the subsidiary by its charity was £5,167 (2020 owed by the subsidiary: £14,867).

23 Status of the Society

The Society is a company limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. The liability of members is limited to £2 each.

page 36

SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

24 Subsidiaries

These financial statements are separate society financial statements for Society of Genealogists.

Details of the society's subsidiaries at 31 December 2021 are as follows:

Name of undertaking Registered Nature of business Class of % Held
office shares held Direct Indirect
Society of Genealogists England Provision of Genealogy services Ordinary 100.00
Enterprises Limited

The aggregate capital and reserves and the result for the year of subsidiaries excluded from consolidation was as follows:

Name of undertaking
Profit/(Loss)
Capital and
Reserves
£
£
Society of Genealogists
Enterprises Limited
-
20,000
25
Cash generated from operations
Surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
Decrease in stocks
(Increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
(Decrease) in deferred income
Cash absorbed by operations
26
Analysis of changes in net funds
The Society had no debt during the year.		 2021
2020
£
£
705,107
3,245,122
(836)
(1,209)
-
(3,265,334)
22,388
94,693
4,045
2,949
(1,595,513)
(262,335)
155,255
(2,316)
(17,531)
(3,065)
(727,085)
(191,495)

page 37