OpenCharities

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

2024-12-31-accounts

iit

Annual Report and Accounts For year ended 31 December 2024

kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

01622 662012 | info@kentwildlife.org.uk Kent Wildlife Trust, Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BD

Registered Charity No. 239992. A company limited in England and Wales by guarantee 633098.

Action and innovation for nature

Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Contents

Our year in numbers

£8.4m total income

£5.2m spent in conservation

£0.3m spent on education and engagement activities

£1m received from gifts in wills, allowing us to invest in future conservation priorities

10,000+ acres in Kent managed for wildlife

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

2 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Reference and administrative detail of the charity, its honorary officers and advisers

Honorary officers

Christopher West Chair Nick Barter Vice Chair

Rachel Hoey Treasurer

Company registered number

Charity registered number

00633098

239992

Registered office

Independent auditor

Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BD

BHP LLP, One, Waterside Place, Basin Square, Brimington Road, Chesterfield S41 7FH

Chief Executive Officer

Bankers

Evan Bowen-Jones

Barclays Bank PLC, 80 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1LR

Solicitors

Investment managers

Anthony Collins, 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham B3 2ES

Sarasin & Partners LLP, Juxon House, 100 St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8BU

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

3

Chairman’s introduction

As the first year to pass the 1.5C global warming limit, 2024 is a symbolic year for wildlife, biodiversity, people and the planet. In these uncertain times of international instability and fiscal challenges at home, I am proud to reflect on another fantastic year of impact, progress and resilience. Through these challenging times, Kent Wildlife Trust Group continues to be a positive force for nature and people, and it therefore, gives me great pleasure to present our Annual Report and Accounts for 2024 as I look back on another successful year of collaboration, campaigning and delivering a wilder Kent for everyone.

This year, we have continued to invest in our mission to restore, save, and enhance our natural heritage. Through flagship projects such as the Wilder Blean Project, you will see how we are boosting biodiversity, transforming landscapes, and engaging communities to connect with nature. Our Bison herd continues to flourish and act as a catalyst for collaboration, bringing together like-minded organisations to create a thriving, climate-resilient landscape. It is also exciting to see the second successful release of the red-billed Chough in the summer as this iconic symbol of Kent reclaims its place against the tide of declining habitats and species loss, alongside the very first wild Chough chick hatched in Kent in over 200 years.

As we continue to defend and restore nature across the county, you will see how vital acquisitions at Furnace Farm and Polhill have secured the future of 128 acres of arable land that will be transformed and restored into a wildlife haven and a 26-acre extension to our Polhill reserve. Alongside this, we have seen huge achievements delivered by the Planning and Advocacy team, from protecting a SSSI in Bethersden through our Rescue Hoad’s Wood Campaign to encouraging the adoption of a 20% Biodiversity Net Gain policy at Maidstone Borough Council. We also saw growing momentum behind our campaign to ‘Rethink Sea Link’ and protect critical coastal habitats from a new National Grid subsea cable.

2024 has also ushered in a year of transformation in our community engagement as we look to consolidate our community outreach. While this has sadly resulted in the closure of the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre in June, we are now well underway with plans to transform the Sevenoaks Visitor Centre with a £2.1M investment due to open in autumn 2025, offering improved accessibility and investments in infrastructure to celebrate this vital wildlife reserve. Boasting over 2,000 species and already recognised as a leading centre for education and learning, the new space will form a central hub for the local community and support Kent Wildlife Trust to reach new audiences and connect them with nature.

While the Group is working tirelessly to deliver for the protection and restoration of nature, an increasingly challenging external environment has placed a focus on consolidation and controlling costs, too. Slower emerging carbon markets and challenges around traditional fundraising channels were key national trends, leading to limited redundancies and cost controls around some support functions. As we respond to these complex challenges, the Trust continues to maintain the highest level of conservation and staff engagement while also building resilience as we continue to deliver against the priorities of the Wilder Kent 2030 strategy.

As we now look towards 2025 and continue to build on the success of 2024, my fellow Trustees and I look forward to another exciting year of impact. Thank you to all staff, members, volunteers and supporters of Kent Wildlife Trust for all your fantastic work as we continue our mission to create a wilder Kent for all!

Christopher West Chair

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

4 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Trustees’ annual report including Directors’ report and strategic report

The Council of Management (the Board of Trustees hereinafter referred to as ‘Council’) present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of Kent Wildlife Trust (hereinafter referred to as ‘The Trust’) for the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

The annual report serves the purpose of both a Trustees’ report and a Directors’ report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the parent charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the parent charitable company’s

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

5

Flagship project 1: Wilder Blean

The Wilder Blean Project, a collaboration between Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, continues to blaze a trail in the conservation world, showcasing the power of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) to address the intertwined biodiversity and climate crises. This groundbreaking initiative is not only transforming landscapes but also inspiring people across the globe to rethink how we coexist with nature.

Community engagement has also been a key pillar of the Wilder Blean Initiative. Local residents are now actively shaping the project’s future through discussions and partnerships with organisations like the RSPB and the Woodland Trust. Together, they aim to reconnect the Blean complex, creating a thriving network of habitats where wildlife can move and flourish freely.

With every new milestone, the Wilder Blean Project reinforces its role as a beacon of hope for rewilding, biodiversity, and climate resilience—proving that when nature thrives, we do too.

At the heart of this effort, the bison herd has flourished, with Rangers reporting a remarkable boost in biodiversity throughout the Blean landscape. Stunning spots include rare fungi, the heath fritillary butterfly, and other fascinating species. Adding to the excitement, the herd welcomed two new bison calves, bringing the total to eight. These young additions are key contributors to the team of ‘ecosystem engineers,’ working alongside other grazing animals to enhance biodiversity and foster a climate-resilient landscape.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

6 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Flagship project 2: Red-billed chough

Once extinct from Kent’s skies, the red-billed chough is making a triumphant return. Known for its vibrant red beak, glossy black feathers and impressive aerial acrobatics, this striking bird has returned to the White Cliffs of Dover after two centuries of absence. Thanks to two successful releases as part of a groundbreaking reintroduction project the chough is becoming a more familiar sight, bringing joy to locals and birdwatchers alike.

The red-billed chough reintroduction project in Dover demonstrates that, even with the perilous state of nature in this country, it is possible to restore ecosystems and bring back missing species. This project is built on decades of science, feasibility studies, and habitat restoration.

Since 2022, Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust have worked together to restore the red-billed chough to Kent. Following the second successful release season in summer 2024 alongside the first wild chough chick hatched in over 200 years, attention now turns to raising the next generation of birds to bolster the free-flying population.

The comeback is supported by the ‘Reaching Greater Heights’ initiative, a National Lottery Heritage-funded project that is restoring 80 hectares of precious chalk grassland. This collaboration between Kent Wildlife Trust, English Heritage, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, and the Western Heights Preservation Society will run until December 2026.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

7

Goal 1:

Defend and restore

Flagship projects

Building on the success of the Wilder Blean and Chough Reintroduction projects, the South East Pine Marten Restoration Project officially launched in February, marking an exciting new chapter in conservation. This ambitious project aims to explore the potential for reintroducing pine martens to the South East of England.

At the heart of the initiative is a diverse stakeholder working group, comprising over 35 organisations, brought together to collaboratively shape the project’s strategy and ensure an inclusive, balanced approach. This strong foundation is critical to assessing both the social and ecological feasibility of restoring this iconic species to the region.

As the project progresses, efforts will focus on identifying suitable habitats and initiating the careful process of sourcing animals. If all goes as planned, the return of pine martens to Kent could represent a transformative milestone in rewilding, restoring ecosystems, and fostering a deeper connection between communities and nature.

Darent Valley Landscape Recovery

The Darent Valley Landscape Recovery (DVLR) project is one of 22 first-round Landscape Recovery pilots in the country, and 2024 saw the second year of its Defra-funded Development Phase with plans for Land Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, Stakeholder Engagement, and Site Access all in progress.

The project aims to protect and enhance the valuable River Darent chalk stream and its surrounding habitats, and developing river catchment restoration plans to this scale and level of detail will be an exciting achievement. The project will also help optimise the landscape’s potential for biodiversity, species conservation, climate resilience, water quality and supply, carbon storage, health and wellbeing, sustainable food production, and community benefit.

The project is a collaboration between conservation organisations and the Darent Nature Partnership, a group of 20 environmentally focused landowners who have proposed 1,800 hectares of land to be restored for nature. This development phase prepares the project for the long-term (20+ years) implementation

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

8 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

phase, and work in 2025 will focus on completing these Blended Finance and Governance Plans for submission at the end of June, when discussions will commence with Defra to agree on funding and terms for project implementation.

Estates management

Through 2024, the Estates team have led 993 volunteer task days (8,937 volunteer hours), which is the equivalent of 38 members of staff. Our Estates staff and volunteers carried out approximately 310,250 welfare checks on our livestock this year, and the Estates team led over 120 paid events across the reserves, receiving incredibly positive feedback from the public.

Our Wilder grazing projects created a buzz, with an unprecedented level of interest from private landowners, councils and other NGOs asking for help to graze their sites. We now have Wilder Grazing projects at multiple locations, including Scotney Castle, Shorne Country Park, Jeskyns Country Park, and Goldenhill; an increase of 781 acres of land managed with a wilder grazing approach compared with 2023.

We acquired Furnace Farm, near Lamberhurst, a 128acre arable farm that we will be transforming into a haven for wildlife and following a successful public appeal, we also purchased a 26-acre extension to our Polhill reserve, which will significantly increase the positive impacts of chalk grassland management in West Kent.

Thanks to a generous single donation, we also purchased Fright Wood, a 7.5-acre woodland adjacent to our South Blean reserve that will further extend our woodland management activities in the Blean landscape. We also took on the freehold of Oare Marshes from Tarmac, increasing our freehold in the county by 166 acres.

After years of work, we have finally reintroduced grazing onto Coombe Down, the adjacent Bunkers Hill, and joined with Gorse Hill to create 30ha of contiguous chalk grassland and scrub. Through Countryside Stewardship, income for managing third-party sites, Wilder Grazing, livestock sales, timber sales, public events and car park income, the Estates team has brought in over £730k to enable management of our reserves in 2024.

Advocacy & policy

of waste illegally dumped across several acres of woodland. In collaboration with the campaign group, we coordinated a united response, rallying support from conservation organisations and writing to the Secretary of State. Our collective efforts paid off when a government-mandated site cleanup was ordered. Working closely with the Environment Agency, a clear timeline for the restoration is now established, and an end to this crisis is now in sight.

The Planning Team has remained steadfast in its efforts to protect Oaken Wood, a designated SSSI in Barming, which faces a grave threat from a proposed quarry extension and the loss of over 50 hectares of irreplaceable ancient woodland. Recognising the irreplaceable value of ancient woodlands for biodiversity, climate resilience, and heritage, the team has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for preserving this vital ecosystem.

In addition, the team collaborated closely with Maidstone Borough Council to encourage the adoption of a 20% Biodiversity Net Gain policy. This significant policy commitment ensures that future developments prioritise measurable biodiversity improvements, setting a higher standard for ecological responsibility.

Meanwhile, our team worked to shine a spotlight on the environmental risks posed by National Grid’s Sea Link Project, which threatens the wildlife of Thanet Coast and Sandwich Bay Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar, and Sandwich Bay and Hacklinge Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Our campaign included meeting MPs in parliament, making on-site visits, and engaging in ongoing collaboration with local campaign groups to urge National Grid to ‘Rethink Sea Link’ and select a route for the subsea cable that avoids irreversible harm to these critical habitats.

Elsewhere, we celebrated a landmark victory as plans for the London Resort theme park, set to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI, were officially quashed. This triumph ensures that the unique and vital wildlife haven will not become buried under concrete and roller coasters. The result is a testament to the relentless dedication of the Save Swanscombe Peninsula Campaign and the many conservation organisations that joined forces to protect this irreplaceable site.

From mobilising communities to influencing policy at the highest levels, 2024 was a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when people come together to protect the natural world.

2024 was an extraordinary year for our Planning and Advocacy team, marked by impactful victories and tireless advocacy for wildlife and habitats. The year began with a major success in the Rescue Hoad’s Wood Campaign, where we joined forces with campaigners to protect this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Bethersden, near Ashford.

Once a haven for wildlife, Hoad’s Wood had been devastated by organised crime, with 35,000 tonnes

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

9

Goal 2:

Inspire and collaborate

Visitor Centres

2024 was a year of change for the Visitor Centres. Sadly, Romney Marsh Visitor Centre closed its doors to visitors in June. However, the refurbishment plans for Sevenoaks continued to be planned, with the temporary closure of SOVC in mid-December to allow for stock and equipment clearance. Sevenoaks continued to trade well throughout the year.

The year-end income figure of £91k was £8k over 2023, supported by increased car park visits of 15k (up 4k on 2023) and transaction numbers in the Visitor Centre, 8.9k compared to 7.8k in 2023. Additionally, the regular trails and events held at Sevenoaks, along with a relaunched Festival of Nature and two-day Autumn Fayre, gave significant exposure to the site for local residents and visitors from further afield.

Volunteering

Our volunteers’ dedication and support are fundamental to our conservation efforts’ success. In 2024, we were privileged to work with over 2,000 volunteers, who collectively contributed more than 46,000 hours across a wide range of projects, spanning both practical conservation work and administrative support.

Our volunteer representatives continue to convene bimonthly, ensuring that volunteer perspectives inform our initiatives. Kent Wildlife Trust remains committed to recognising and appreciating our volunteer contributions through multiple thank-you events held throughout the year, a bi-monthly newsletter and dedicated articles in our members’ magazine. Additionally, in 2024, we hosted our largest-ever volunteer awards ceremony and successfully launched our ongoing volunteer recognition scheme.

Supporting our partners

Kent Wildlife Trust Group strengthened and deepened partnerships with farmers throughout 2024, actively engaging in conversations around nature recovery and green finance with over 100 farms representing 14,577 Ha across three farm clusters. ABEC’s work with M&S suppliers complemented this approach, bringing farmers together across several learning days throughout the year.

The regenerative farming project with Co-Op, Reading University and two leading Kent regenerative farmers saw a new partnership forged with Farming and Wildlife Group South East (FWAG SE) to support the project delivery; paving the way for us to continue working together to scope new opportunities with landowners across Kent.

Wild About Gardens, fondly known as WAG within the trust, was re-launched with a new Officer taking the helm. Fostering new partnerships, including with Maidstone’s NHS Mental Health Trust, we are developing a new Nature Recovery zone and garden within the hospital grounds in Maidstone. The Local Nature Recovery Strategy remained a focus, with staff joining other organisations to input into at all levels of strategy development.

Education

In 2024, the education team engaged over 6,000 children and young people through our schools’ programmes. A total of 119 school groups visited our education centres at Tyland Barn and Sevenoaks, engaging over 3,200 pupils and teachers in curriculum-linked workshops. Through a range of projects (including the Ernest Cook Blue Influencer Scheme and the Darent Valley Landscape Recovery Project) and through a variety of outreach opportunities (including the Living Land Event at Detling Showground and the Active Kent and Medway Eco Ambassador training) we reached a further 2,900 young people. Our Wilder Learning newsletter now reaches over 550 teachers and educators in Kent.

Wilder Holiday Club, now in its third year, had its best year yet, selling 96% of available tickets at Sevenoaks (86% across both sites) and engaging hundreds of children in nature-based fun during their school holidays. Birthday parties saw a 31% increase on 2023, with almost 500 children enjoying a Wilder Party. Nature Tots and Home Education Forest School continued to go strong in 2024, engaging hundreds of families in forest-school-inspired activities. Wilder Holiday Club also won Bronze in the Beautiful South Tourism awards for this year’s Active and Learning Experience of the Year category.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

10 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

This year also saw the publication of our first children’s book, The Bison and the Butterfly. The book was created in collaboration with New York Times bestselling author Alice Hemming and illustrator Nancy Leschnikoff. The Wilder Blean project inspired this enchanting story of wildlife and friendship and teaches the science behind the bison reintroduction in a childfriendly, accessible way. Alongside the book’s launch, we also created a curriculum-linked teachers’ guide, a family activity pack and a series of family events.

Engagement

In 2024, engagement work began on a range of wilding projects, including the reintroduction of the red-billed chough, the Wilder Blean Initiative and the Pine Marten reintroduction, as well as on reserves through the protected areas warden programme and throughout Kent through the Wild About Gardens scheme.

Over the past year, we have embraced a community organising approach to our engagement work, focussed on bringing people together to take action around their common concerns and overcome social and environmental injustice.

We have reached out, listened, connected and motivated people to build their collective power for themselves, their local communities and wildlife. In 2024, our pilot community organising project, Nextdoor Nature, was completed in Dover and over the course of the project, we have engaged with over 5,000 people (1,200 people in 2024) and worked with individuals and groups to take action for nature in Dover, such as the creation of wildlife gardens at Dover Technical College and the Riverside Centre.

The work in Dover has also been strongly tied to supporting the survival of the red-billed chough in Dover. We’ve worked with thousands of people to share knowledge about the chough and engender support for the bird’s return. In 2024, our work on the Wilder Blean Initiative saw an increase, engaging around 1,300 people and has led to the development of a Community Advisory Group to support and advise on the development of the initiative, ensuring that people who live and work in the area get to use their voice and influence the development of a wilder Blean.

Furthermore, work has continued at pace on the Pine Marten project, including work on the social feasibility assessment for the project and engagement with people who live and work in the High Weald. This work has combined social science (to try and understand how and what people think) and engagement to ensure the co-existence of people and Pine Marten in the High Weald.

Wilder Kent Awards

The Wilder Kent Awards 2024 saw 87 winning groups, with over 16,000 individuals recorded as having taken positive action for nature. A total of 18 groups won a Gold award, highlighting their incredible efforts towards helping create a Wilder Kent, with a further 23 Silver, 26 Bronze and 20 commendations.

This year, businesses also took part for the first time, joining schools, nurseries, colleges, universities, community groups, villages, towns, and cities, already taking positive action for nature and wildlife in Kent. Connecting people with nature is a big part of Goal 2. When asked to rate how connected to nature the Wilder Kent Awards made participants feel, the average score was 8.9 out of 10 – a resounding success for tackling nature disconnect.

Events

Over 1,800 adults attended events, experiences and learning opportunities in 2024, with a more varied programme than ever, including Bison Ranger Experiences, Wilder Kent Safari experiences, Weekend Wellness events, Study Days, courses, workshops and online talks.

An additional 380 people joined us for family events delivered in collaboration with the Education team and a successful activity trail and exhibition linking the story of The Bison and the Butterfly to the Wilder Blean project ran at our Visitor Centres over the summer holidays.

In 2024, the annual Bison Festival moved from West Blean to Woodland Trust’s Victory Wood, becoming the Wilder Blean Festival to reinforce partnerships and the vision for the landscape beyond West Blean itself. Kent Wildlife Trust was awarded silver for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at the Visit England Awards 2023-24 and gold in the same category at the Beautiful South Awards 2024-25.

Supporting diversity

2024 was an excellent year for the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Group at KWT. We ran a series of Living Libraries, which allows staff or external guests to speak about their experiences. This has included a range of topics, from accessibility and neurodiversity to allyship, different beliefs and lived experiences.

By amplifying diverse voices, we have taken important steps toward fostering a more inclusive culture within our organisation. The EDIB Group also ran wellbeing activities and sought to improve the work-life balance by promoting the wellbeing hour all staff can take each week. Kent Wildlife Trust also attended 2 Pride Parades across Kent over the summer, celebrating our queer staff and showing our support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

11

Goal 3: Strengthen and grow

Marketing and communications

The Marketing and Communications Team had an impactful 2024, achieving several key milestones that strengthened our connection with supporters and advanced our Wilder Kent goals. One of the year’s highlights was the launch of our new Kent Wildlife Trust website, designed to better align our supporters with our mission and make engagement with our work more accessible than ever.

Throughout the year, regular updates were delivered to our members and supporters via email and the Wilder Kent members magazine, keeping them informed and inspired by the Trust’s latest initiatives and achievements.

As the General Election approached, the team spearheaded the Vote Wild Campaign, encouraging the public to prioritise environmental policies when considering prospective candidates. The campaign included environmentally focused hustings, providing voters with a platform to question candidates on their stances regarding nature and climate directly. Signups to our Stand Up for Nature newsletter increased during this time, as did visits to our website, which hosted a bespoke election hub.

On the global stage, the results of the Bugs Matter citizen science study, which monitors insect decline, were promoted internationally, shining a spotlight on this critical issue. This international reach is set to expand even further in 2025 as we continue to amplify the study’s findings and impact.

The Talk on the Wild Side podcast remained a trusted source of uplifting nature news, helping listeners navigate eco-anxiety by delivering positive stories about conservation and the environment.

Together, these achievements reflect a year of powerful storytelling, innovative campaigns, and unwavering dedication to connecting people with nature and inspiring action for a wilder future

Membership and fundraising

Fundraising in 2024 continued to develop new campaigns, offering supporters exciting new ways to support Kent Wildlife Trust and raising a total of £3.1m of income, enabling the delivery of conservation projects throughout Kent.

The Trust successfully purchased the extension of Polhill Bank after raising £375k thanks to match funding from a generous donor, and an in-memory gift enabled the acquisition of Fright Wood as an extension to the Blean complex, protecting another vital habitat for restoration. Income from Legacies grew to £1m, and the team introduced a new partnership with Octopus Legacies – a free Will writing service to enable more people to remember Kent Wildlife Trust in their Will. We welcomed the Kent Ambassadors to Blean and hosted several major donors who contributed towards this vital work as Bison Benefactors.

We continue diversifying our income streams, creating sustainable funding streams and introducing Kent’s Legacy Landscapes. In a cross-organisational effort to establish the programme, supporters can now sponsor a plot at Marden Meadows, Lydden Temple Ewell and Brenchley Woods. Concurrently, we have also introduced the opportunity to sponsor a reserve. Open to corporates, grant makers or philanthropic donors, these funds will underpin the delivery of our work across the estate and enable us to manage over 90 nature reserves throughout the county.

Membership continued to grow in 2024, securing £1.2m for the Trust and a 3.4% growth on last year. We achieved a net gain of 424 members, and 2,634 new members joined the Trust last year. The challenging economic climate was the main contributing factor to membership cancellations; however, we continue to engage these supporters with newsletters and promotional offers. We also introduced a new schedule of activities to thank and retain our members, including a ‘Member check-in’ mailout, branded wildflower seeds and a birthday card to members offering a discount on our online shop.

Over the year, two significant campaigns drove growth. In January we offered 50% off for new members, breaking the record of the most online joiners in a single month – with 213 sign-ups. In August, we launched ‘Become a Wildlife Saver’ in another successful campaign, securing new members at the busiest time of the year. We continued to work with our face-to-face fundraising team during the year, increasing the number of events attended by the Trust by welcoming a new member of the CF team to increase the number of members joining offline each month.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

12 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

We secured £198k by continuing to drive awareness of and sign-ups for Gift Aid for all eligible members, and over 80% of our members are now increasing their gifts at no extra cost to them.

Corporate partners

In October 2024, we focused on refreshing our corporate offer and relaunched a new package of corporate memberships and partnerships. To enable everyone to benefit from and support wildlife, this now includes a community partnership level at just £99 per year.

We secured two new and multifaceted partnerships in 2024. One with Balfour Winery donating an amount per bottle of Nannette’s Rose sold, including invitations to attend their events. Martin Tolhurst Solicitors also partnered with local reserves to encourage customers to support local wildlife.

In total, we have 17 active members and partners and have seen annual contributions increase from existing partners. A total of £25k of membership income was received, as well as corporate donations totalling £77k. Growing our corporate network with various events, campaigns, and networking continues to be a focus for 2025.

Businesses were also invited to enter the Wilder Kent Awards for the first time. With four successful applications in year one, we were thrilled to recognise the work businesses do every day to protect the environment.

Our aim in 2025 is to solidify this vital aspect of the awards and support more businesses than ever to meet their ESG goals, reduce their carbon footprint and provide resources to help them answer new Government requirements such as the Financial Disclosure for nature and climate.

Digital developments

Kent Wildlife Trust’s digital development reach spread throughout the Kent Nature Partnership last year, including building a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Site Register for Local Planning Authorities to ensure that biodiversity is not lost from Kent. The team additionally undertook most of the mapping work associated with the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, creating the ‘Actions for Nature’ and ‘Priorities for Nature’ web apps as well as nature recovery modelling in partnership with Kent County Council, the South East Rivers Trust and the Kent and Medway Biodiversity Records Centre.

Improving systems

In 2024, Kent Wildlife Trust implemented a more resilient finance structure, streamlining financial reconciliation between Raiser’s Edge (RE) and Xledger. With all existing staff onboarded onto RE and most departmental data imported, we have built a clearer picture of the Trust’s engagement. In addition, the deployment of plugins has automated manual data movement, saving significant staff time and improving accuracy in the long term.

The Digital Development team has also enhanced data storage and processing across Income Generation, Marketing & Communications, HR, and Nature Recovery, making day-to-day operations more efficient. Staff and volunteers now benefit from improved SharePoint resources, strengthening collaboration across internal departments.

The Trust continues to embed adaptive management through the Conservation Standards-based Project Management Framework. Theories of change (strategies) for departments and delivery projects are now reflected in Miradi, an online software tool streamlining how we define, plan, approve, implement, adapt and share our work. These advancements ensure that strategies and projects align with our Wilder Kent 2030 goals, supporting long-term nature recovery goals with a structured and data-driven approach.

In 2025, we are transitioning to a new, more sustainable web-app hosting software that will save Kent Wildlife Trust a significant amount of money in licences each year. We have made significant strides in improving our cybersecurity and data protection practices, as well as developing new internal tools to allow staff to maximise usage of the CRM and GIS systems without needing significant training on either.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

13

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

14 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Updates across the group

Kent Wildlife Enterprises

Established in 1996, Kent Wildlife Enterprises Ltd (KWE) receives and manages our core ‘non primary purpose’ trading income. This includes income generated through retail, events, car parking and other Visitor Centre activities. KWE also receives the funds generated from our reserves through Nature-based Solutions (NBS) activities including sales of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units, carbon credits and income received for Nutrient Neutrality project management. During 2024 we made the difficult decision to close our Visitor Centre at Romney Marsh although the country park and gardens there remain open to the public. Unfortunately the continued management and staffing of the Centre was no longer viable and it was decided to redirect this spend to alternative projects that would deliver greater benefits for nature and more effectively support the achievement of the strategy. KWE anticipates realising the benefits of an enhanced visitor experience at the Sevenoaks Visitor Centre following its refurbishment in 2025 as well as a refreshed online retail offering following the launch of the new KWT website at the end of 2024. The slow growth of UK NBS markets during 2024 meant that income for KWE did not achieve anticipated levels however the Group as a whole continues to work hard to maximise opportunities to grow this strategically important revenue source. The Pond Cafe at Tyland Barn has proved extremely popular, providing both regular income to KWE and a fresh opportunity to welcome and engage visitors to the Nature Park and Gardens. As a wholly-owned subsidiary, KWE is governed by its own board of directors and the full-year profits of £460k will be gift-aided to the Trust to support its charitable activities.

ABEC

KWT Consultancy Services Ltd, trading as Adonis Blue Environmental Consultancy (ABEC) provides professional ecological services and commercial expertise across a range of important environmental areas including protected species surveys, natural capital and Nature-based Solutions, marine and coastal biodiversity enhancement, wildlife and habitat monitoring, and training and engagement.

In February 2024 Biodiversity Net Gain became mandatory for major development and as a result 2024 was a key year for ABEC to consolidate its approach

working with both developers, Local Authorities and landowners to ensure BNG is delivered with high integrity in line with ABEC and Kent Wildlife Trust’s values. ABEC has grown its business across the year to a turnover of £1.4m in 2024 compared to £956k in 2023, returning a surplus each year and now delivers contracts nationally. As a wholly-owned subsidiary ABEC is governed by its own board of directors and the full-year profits of £75k will be gift-aided to the Trust.

Wilder Carbon

Wilder Carbon Limited was established in 2021 to provide sales, certification, and assurance services for the emerging voluntary carbon market. It aims to provide a national mechanism for ensuring highquality conservation projects are delivered across the UK by leveraging carbon finance, resulting in long-term carbon lock-up and biodiversity gains. Wilder Carbon only sells conservation-grade carbon units to buyers, who are demonstrably reducing their emissions.

The focus for the company in 2024 has been to continue to increase brand awareness, build strategic relationships, gain further credibility in the voluntary carbon market, participate in national consultations and knowledge sharing around future legislation and drive carbon transactions.

Since the change in government in the UK, there continue to be strong signals acknowledging the importance of nature in delivering climate action, with stronger guidance relating to the carbon and nature markets being developed and hopefully rolled out in 2025/6.

Despite the slow application of Nature-based financing, the private sector recognises they need to act fast to meaningfully contribute toward their sustainability goals. Nature-based finance continues to be a credible opportunity for the creation of a diversified income stream to deliver nature recovery for the long-term benefit of climate, wildlife and society.

The momentum continues to grow with greater interest from buyers and potential project deliverers, and we have several exciting announcements due in the spring and summer of 2025.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

15

Looking forward

Delivering our vision

As we reach the midpoint of our Wilder Kent strategy, Kent Wildlife Trust remains committed to driving meaningful action and innovation for nature. Through Wilder Kent 2030, we have championed conservation strategies, harnessing Nature-based Solutions and wilding initiatives to restore ecosystems. By thinking boldly and acting decisively, we can reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen resilience against climate change across Kent and beyond. Yet, the task ahead remains significant, and collaboration will be key to success.

Our efforts to date have laid the foundation for transformative progress. The next phase of our journey

will expand the Wilder Kent Network, deepening partnerships with businesses, communities, and individuals to amplify our impact. A Wilder Kent can only be achieved by uniting expertise, resources, and passion to drive collective action. By growing this movement, we will create opportunities for more people to contribute to nature’s recovery and secure the future of our shared landscapes.

With just five years remaining, now is the time to act. Together, we can build a Wilder Kent that thrives today and sustains future generations. Join us in making a lasting difference because the future of nature, and of us all, depends on the actions we take today.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

16 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Managing risk

The Risk and Finance Committee met regularly throughout 2024 to assist Council in its oversight of the likelihood, and potential impact, of risks to which the Trust is exposed – carefully balancing ambition with effective risk management. A programme of deep dive reviews was held by Council covering a range of highpriority topics further enabling trustees to scrutinise, evaluate and manage any risks (and opportunities) to the delivery of the strategy. For 2024 these topics included the Wilder Blean Project, the Sevenoaks Visitor Centre Refurbishment, Biodiversity Net Gain and how this developing market can help the Trust deliver for nature, and the Trust’s People and Volunteering Delivery plan for 2025 onwards.

Council and the Boards of the subsidiary companies share a risk-matrix methodology for assessing, monitoring and recording risk across the Group, ensuring an effective and aligned approach. Uncertainty around government environmental policy and its commitment to legally binding environmental targets, and the linked unpredictability from associated land-use schemes, plus sector-wide financial challenges impacting income generation remain the key risks facing the Trust.

The Trust is now well-positioned to take advantage of the emerging nature markets including Biodiversity Net Gain and high-integrity carbon offsets to generate a sustainable income stream for reinvestment in the protection and restoration of nature. However, the speed at which the markets developed over 2024 was slower than expected and did not yield the anticipated level of income to the Trust for the year. This was also exacerbated by ongoing challenges in the generation of fundraising through more traditional channels.

In response, Trustees agreed a mitigation plan which focused on expenditure reduction and the continued diversification of income generation combined with resource reallocation. This included a limited number of voluntary and statutory redundancies primarily from support functions so as not to diminish conservation delivery. The impacts of this process on staff across the organisation was a high priority with an emphasis on wellbeing and workload management.

The Trust is committed to improving its internal controls and to continued adherence to regulatory compliance and regularly reviews its internal policies. During the year a full health and safety policy review was undertaken which included an external audit of the Trust’s H&S management system and the appointment of a health and safety consultant to provide ongoing advice and expertise. The Trust’s safeguarding policies are reviewed and approved on an annual basis to ensure adherence to best practice and that our most vulnerable visitors and supporters are effectively cared for. Data protection compliance remains a standing item for the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.

Innovation and impact

The Trust continues to embrace innovative technologies that enhance research, monitoring and management to support the delivery of our goals.

In the field of remote sensing and geospatial technology, our CAA-authorised drone operators have piloted 68 flights in 2024, including a second series of surveys at Wilder Blean. Mobile data collection technology, first deployed in 2022, has now been widely adopted by reserve wardens and fieldwork teams, and a collaboration with the University of Kent helped identify and prioritise conservation areas using Systematic Conservation Planning and will deliver results in early 2025.

In 2024, we conducted a satellite imagery analysis to understand how vegetation cover has changed in Kent. Most notably, this has allowed us to pinpoint destructive activities on Local Wildlife Sites. Crossdepartmental efforts saw the migration of landowner data to the new CRM and the establishment of a system for mapping land ownership.

Our citizen science projects are going from strength to strength. Bugs Matter recorded thousands more journeys than in previous years and, at the close of 2024, was a recipient of the ‘AWS Imagine Go Further, Faster Award to support an overseas expansion of the project. Over 130 citizen scientists in Kent have conducted water quality sampling for our River Search project. A report on the first three years of data was released in 2024.

Two other projects, Beaver Search and Water Vole and Otter Search, continue to grow, supported through training workshops. Towards the end of 2024, the Trust built a citizen science web app for camera trap photo species identification, which is now used to process camera trap data from the Pine Marten project.

The Monitoring and Evidence team, supported by invaluable teams of volunteers, have delivered a comprehensive monitoring program in 2024 to assess the feasibility of a Pine Marten reintroduction. Concurrently, 2024 was the fourth year of monitoring at Wilder Blean and the start of the statistical analysis of trends at the site.

The Trust continues as Conservation Evidence Champions into 2025, with guest speakers from the Cambridge team scheduled to present and upskill staff in February. Coupled with our adoption of the Conservation Standards, TWTs Collective Framework for Data, Research and Evidence, and the Evidence Emergency project, we continue demonstrating our commitment to evidence-based practices.

More broadly, a progress report against our Wilder Kent 2030 strategy will be released in 2025, setting out our metrics to measure our impact in the future and our plans to achieve our goals for 2030.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

17

Financial report

Overview

The full year financial performance for the Group across the 2024 financial year was a surplus of £561k. The ongoing challenging macro-economic climate and associated fundraising conditions have continued to impact on income generation, however total income in 2024 was £2.0m greater than that reported for 2023. Grants to support both capital and operational work were £928k greater than during 2023, with funding received to support both the bison bridges project, £592k, and Sevenoaks Visitor Centre development project, £250k. Legacy income recognised in 2024 was £358k greater than in 2023, whilst membership income increased by £69k.

Income generated through trading entities has also increased year-on-year, in line with our strategic aim to diversify income streams. Turnover through ABEC grew from £1.0m to £1.4m year-on-year, whilst 2024 saw a major nutrient neutrality deal secured through KWE. Income to the value of £483k was recognised inyear towards the development of a wetland at Mystole Orchard (the Group also benefiting from taking on management of the land on a long-term lease), with a further £622k of income received but deferred to cover forty-five years of future management, maintenance and monitoring costs. Diversification of income streams away from more traditional fundraising will continue to be a major focus for 2025 and beyond, with Nature-based Solutions (NBS) income expected to be generated across the areas of biodiversity net gain, high integrity carbon capture, and nutrient neutrality schemes. Given the current uncertainty around legislation of these NBS mechanisms, income has been budgeted to be received at a lower level across 2025 to 2027 than previously planned.

Operational costs increased by £0.2m during 2024 as compared to 2023, from £7.8m to £8.0m. A focus on cost control and well-established internal fiscal processes allowed the Group to make significant savings against the budget, whilst still delivering its planned projects. This cost control work also included a rationalisation of staffing.

£2.8m of tangible fixed assets were purchased across the year. Much of this was spent on our nature reserves, including the purchase of Furnace Farm for £1.4m, the purchase of land to extend our Polhill reserve for £256k and the addition of Fright Wood for £90k. A total of £710k was expended at West Blean

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

18 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

----- Start of picture text -----
© BETH HUKINS
----- End of picture text -----

and Thornden Woods with the part-installation of two bison bridges in 2024, which were completed in spring 2025. A further £109k was invested in our systems and communications projects including the roll-out of the new website.

Across 2024 steady growth was seen across our longterm investment portfolio, which grew by 12% in real terms across the financial year. The total value of our long-term investment portfolio was, however, reduced by the transfer of £500k to support ongoing operational and capital commitments. In addition, £1.0m was transferred from the Trust’s CCLA cash account to support the purchase of Furnace Farm.

Investments

The Trust’s Articles of Association enable it to invest monies not immediately needed for its operations in investments that may be thought fit and subject to conditions and consents required by law. The Trust’s investment objectives are to achieve the best possible financial return after satisfying the requirement for an appropriate level of risk, liquidity and diversification of assets.

The Trust’s policy on ethical investment is to give preference, as far as is reasonably possible, to investments that are in line with the Trust’s charitable objects and when opportunities arise, promote positive conservation and environmental outcomes. This is achieved in practice by avoiding investment in companies which generate a significant proportion of their turnover from activities which conflict with the Trust’s ethical objectives. The Trust holds investments

through its investment manager’s Climate Active Fund, a global multi-asset portfolio with an integrated socially responsible investment policy that also favours investments that may benefit from a move to a lower carbon economy.

The Trustees monitor the Trust’s investment portfolio and other investments closely.

Financial reserves policy

The Trust manages various restricted, designated and other unrestricted funds in line with any restrictions or designations imposed on them either by funders or by the Trustees themselves.

Free reserves, calculated as the sum of unrestricted net current assets and investments, are £2.2m. These cash resources provide stability to the Trust in the management of its projects and landholdings, and they support growth in a challenging environment.

To ensure the Trust has the capacity to deal with any unforeseen or catastrophic emergency, within these free reserves, the Trustees maintain an ‘Emergencies Fund.’ The balance on this fund remains at £1.0m which is roughly equivalent to four months’ salary costs. This fund would enable the Trust to continue to operate while steps are taken to address the situation.

Compliance

In 2024, the Trust reported no ‘Serious Incidents’ to The Charity Commission. The Trust continues to operate in compliance with the Fundraising Code of Practice and received no complaints during the reporting period.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

19

Every two years, all staff are required to undertake training on anti-bribery and corruption in compliance with the Bribery Act 2010. Health and safety and safeguarding are standing items at fortnightly senior leadership team meetings and at regular Risk and Finance Committee meetings, with reports made on a quarterly basis to Council. Compliance with the Data Protection Act remains a priority for the Trust, and no significant issues were reported to the Information Commissioner.

accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure of information to auditor

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

Audit

BHP LLP continue as the Trust’s auditors. First appointed for the financial year 2020, trustees acknowledge the benefit of regularly renewing its auditor and reserve the right to re-tender during autumn 2025. An auditor will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with the Trust’s governing documents.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes 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. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group, the Company and of their incoming resources and application of resources, including their income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The directors of the Company who held office at the date of approval of these Financial Statements as set out above each confirm, so far as they are aware, that:

In approving the Trustees’ annual report, the directors also approve the strategic report included therein, in their capacity as directors.

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

Christopher West

Chair

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

20 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Independent auditor’s report to the members of Kent Wildlife Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Kent Wildlife Trust (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the consolidated balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the consolidated 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company 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 group and parent charitable company’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 trustees’ report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. 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.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

21

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes 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 group and parent charitable company’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 group or parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

22 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of noncompliance 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:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the group and parent entity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

In response to the risk of irregularities and noncompliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC’s website at: 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 charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Signer ID: B7IXQS3DFV...

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we

Adrian Staniforth

(Senior statutory auditor)

for and on behalf of BHP LLP, One, Waterside Place, Basin Square Brimington Road, Chesterfield, S41 7FH

20.06.2 5

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

23

Final Accounts

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

24 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities

(incorporating income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Note
Income from:
Donatons and legacies
4
Charitable actvites
5
Other trading actvites
6
Investments
7
Other income
8
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
9
Charitable actvites
10
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) before net
gains on investments
Net gains on investments
Net (expenditure)/income
Transfers between funds
25
Net movement in funds before other
recognised gains/(losses)
Other recognised gains/(losses):
Gains on revaluaton of biological assets
Net movement in funds		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
1,632
2,631
1,919
11
13
6,206
1,314
5,780
7,094
(888)
173
(715)
740
25
23
48		 Restricted
funds
2024
£000
526
1,625
-
-
-
2,151
-
898
898
1,253
-
1,253
(740)
513
-
513		 Total
funds
2024
£000
2,158
4,256
1,919
11
13
8,357
1,314
6,678
7,992
365
173
538
-
538
23
561		 As restated
Total
funds
2023
£000
1,957
3,373
945
80
28
6,383
1,077
6,719
7,796
(1,413)
107
(1,306)
-
(1,306)
41
(1,265)

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

25

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Continued

(incorporating income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 December 2024

Note
Reconciliaton of funds:
Total funds brought forward as previously
stated
Prior year adjustment
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2024
2024
£000
£000
9,386
7,517
(35)
-
9,351
7,517
48
513
9,399
8,030		 Total
funds
2024
£000
16,903
(35)
16,868
561
17,429		 As restated
Total
funds
2023
£000
17,925
208
18,133
(1,265)
16,868

The consolidated statement of financial activities complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 and includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

26 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Kent Wildlife Trust (A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 00633098

Consolidated Balance Sheet

as at 31 December 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
16
Tangible assets
17
Investments
18
Current assets
Stocks
20
Debtors
21
Investments
22
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilites
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
23
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilites
Creditors: amounts falling due afer more than
one year
24
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
25
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
25
General funds
25
Total unrestricted funds
25
Total funds		 180
1,872
3
143
2,198
(1,241)
7,664
1,735		 2024
£000
184
15,601
1,679
17,464
957
18,421
(992)
17,429
8,030
9,399
17,429		 24
1,534
1,063
909
3,530
(1,268)
8,974
377		 As restated
2023
£000
202
13,231
1,383
14,816
2,262
17,078
(210)
16,868
7,517
9,351
16,868

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

27

Kent Wildlife Trust (A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 00633098

Consolidated Balance Sheet Continued

as at 31 December 2024

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

Rachel Hoey Trustee/ Treasurer The notes on pages 32 to 59 form part of these financial statements. 20.06.2 5

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

28 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Kent Wildlife Trust (A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 00633098

Company Balance Sheet

as at 31 December 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Biological assets
16
Tangible assets
17
Investments
18
Current assets
Debtors
21
Investments
22
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilites
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
23
Net current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due afer more than
one year
24
Total net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
25
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
25
General funds
25
Total unrestricted funds
25
Total funds		 1,233
3
88
1,324
(1,004)
7,664
1,386		 2024
£000
184
15,601
1,102
16,887
320
(370)
16,837
7,787
9,050
16,837		 1,256
1,063
815
3,134
(1,014)
8,974
280		 As restated
2023
£000
202
13,231
1,428
14,861
2,120
(210)
16,771
7,517
9,254
16,771

The Company's net movement in funds for the year was £66,000 (2023 - £(1,225,000)).

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

29

Kent Wildlife Trust (A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 00633098

Company Balance Sheet Continued

as at 31 December 2024

Rachel Hoey Trustee/ Treasurer The notes on pages 32 to 59 form part of these financial statements. 20.06.2 5

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

30 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

as at 31 December 2024

Note
Cash fows from operatng actvites
Net cash provided by operatng actvites
28
Cash fows from investng actvites
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Proceeds from the sale of biological assets
Purchase of biological assets
Purchase of tangible fxed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
Transfer to investments
Decrease in short term investment
Net cash (used in)/provided by investng actvites
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
29		 2024
£000
1,013
11
67
(26)
(2,768)
733
(856)
1,060
(1,779)
(766)
909
143		 2023
£000
(346)
80
17
(29)
(1,417)
936
(1)
437
23
(323)
1,232
909

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

31

Notes to the Financial

Statements : . a for the year ended 31 December 2024 > 1. General information ¥ SF ~~——~~ Kent Wildlife Trust is a charitable company limited by 8: as guarantee. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charitable company. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

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), and the Companies Act 2006.

Kent Wildlife 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.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the Group and rounded to the nearest £000.

The consolidated statement of financial activities (SOFA) and consolidated balance sheet consolidate the financial statements of the charitable company and its subsidiary undertakings. The results of the subsidiaries are consolidated on a line-by-line basis.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

32 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

The following subsidiaries have taken advantage of an exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006. As the ultimate parent, Kent Wildlife Trust has provided a statutory guarantee for any outstanding liabilities of this business:

Wilder Carbon Ltd

The charitable company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own statement of financial activities in these financial statements.

2.2 Going concern

The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation of the financial statements and have concluded that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

2.3 Income

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

The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the charitable company has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the charitable company, can be reliably measured.

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.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Group’s objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

2.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charitable company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2.6 Taxation

The charitable company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charitable company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

33

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

2.7 Biological assets

Livestock is stated at fair value less estimated costs to sell in accordance with the fair value model in FRS 102. Movements in fair value are taken to the SOFA in the year in which they arise. Fair value is based upon the estimation of values by the Kent Wildlife Trust management team and is considered by the Trustees to be a fair reflection of the estimated value at the year-end.

2.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

2.9 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 consolidated statement of financial activities.

2.10 Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.

2.11 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

2.12 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and shortterm 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.

2.13 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charitable company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the consolidated statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

2.14 Financial instruments

The Group 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.

Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less provision for impairment.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

34 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

2.15 Operating leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the consolidated statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

2.16 Pensions

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charitable company to the fund in respect of the year.

2.17 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 charitable company and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charitable company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

2.18 Employee benefits

When employees have rendered service to the charitable company, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amounts expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment

Estimates and judgements 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 charitable company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below;

Support costs:

Many of the costs incurred by the charitable company, such as support staff costs and service costs, are shared between activities. The charitable company’s policy is to allocate these costs on the basis of the staff numbers involved in these activities.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

35

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2023

4. Income from donations and legacies

Donatons
Legacies
Similar incoming resources
Total 2023 as restated
Income from charitable actvites
Marketng and membership
Reserves management
Projects
Conservaton, policy and consultancy
Educaton, volunteering and visitor engagement
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
606
955
71
1,632
1,370
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
1,204
176
976
145
130
2,631
2,312		 Restricted
funds
2024
£000
267
-
259
526
587
Restricted
funds
2024
£000
-
52
1,570
-
3
1,625
1,061		 Total
funds
2024
£000
873
955
330
2,158
1,957
Total
funds
2024
£000
1,204
228
2,546
145
133
4,256
3,373		 As restated
Total
funds
2023
£000
872
597
488
1,957
Total
funds
2023
£000
1,135
450
1,618
42
128
3,373

5. Income from charitable activities

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

36 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2023

6. Income from other trading activities Income from non charitable trading activities

Trading income
Total 2023 as restated
7.
Investment income
Interest received
Total 2023
8.
Other incoming resources
Insurance claims
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
1,919
945
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
11
80
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
13
28		 Total
funds
2024
£000
1,919
945
Total
funds
2024
£000
11
80
Total
funds
2024
£000
13
28		 As restated
Total
funds
2023
£000
945
Total
funds
2023
£000
80
Total
funds
2023
£000
28

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

37

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

9. Expenditure on raising funds

Other trading expenses

Cost of sales
Administraton expenses
Staf costs
Total 2023		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
57
191
1,066
1,314
1,077		 Total
funds
2024
£000
57
191
1,066
1,314
1,077		 Total
funds
2023
£000
90
209
778
1,077

10. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type

Marketng and membership
Reserves management
Projects
Conservaton, policy and consultancy
Educaton, volunteering and visitor engagement
Administraton
Total 2023 as restated		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
581
474
3,185
715
293
532
5,780
5,805		 Restricted
funds
2024
£000
3
42
545
255
15
38
898
914		 Total
2024
£000
584
516
3,730
970
308
570
6,678
6,719		 As restated
Total
2023
£000
770
500
3,867
733
331
518
6,719

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

38 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

11. Analysis of expenditure by activities

Marketng and membership
Reserves management
Projects
Conservaton, policy and consultancy
Educaton, volunteering and visitor engagement
Administraton
Total 2023 as restated		 Actvites
undertaken
directly
2024
£000
297
(14)
3,635
392
46
69
4,425
4,766		 Support
costs
2024
£000
287
530
95
578
262
501
2,253
1,953		 Total
funds
2024
£000
584
516
3,730
970
308
570
6,678
6,719		 As restated
Total
funds
2023
£000
770
500
3,867
733
331
518
6,719

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

39

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

11. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)

Analysis of support costs

Administraton costs
Facilites costs
Finance costs
Governance costs (note 12)
IT and communicatons costs
Operatonal support costs
People support costs
Development
Chief Executve ofce costs
Total 2023		 Marketng
and
membership
2024
£000
11
22
99
22
37
12
23
45
16
287
245		 Reserves
management
2024
£000
17
37
185
43
68
23
43
84
30
530
297		 Projects
2024
£000
3
7
33
8
12
4
8
15
5
95
299		 Conservaton,
policy and
consultancy
2024
£000
18
40
202
47
75
25
48
91
32
578
466		 Educaton,
volunteering
and vistor
engagement
2024
£000
8
18
92
21
34
11
22
41
15
262
256

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

40 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

11. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued) Analysis of support costs (continued)

Administraton costs
Facilites costs
Finance costs
Governance costs (note 12)
IT and communicatons costs
Operatonal support management costs
People support costs
Development
Chief Executve ofce costs
Total 2023		 Admin
-istraton
2024
£000
16
35
175
41
65
21
41
79
28
501
390		 Total
funds
2024
£000
73
159
786
182
291
96
185
355
126
2,253
1,953		 Total
funds
2023
£000
99
188
384
302
311
293
305
71
-
1,953

The basis of allocation for support costs is staff numbers.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

41

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

12.
Governance costs
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£000
Auditor's remuneraton
24
Travel and meetng costs
6
Subscriptons
-
Equipment repairs and renewals
6
Legal fees
20
RSWT Levy
112
Staf costs
14
Total 2024
182
Total 2023
302
13.
Auditor's remuneraton
Fees payable to the group's auditor for the audit of the group's annual accounts		 Total
funds
2024
£000
24
6
-
6
20
112
14
182
302
2024
£000
37		 Total
funds
2023
£000
20
29
1
4
-
104
144
302
2023
£000
34
14.
Staf costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contributon to defned contributon pension
schemes		 Group
2024
£000
4,205
283
386
4,874		 Group
2023
£000
3,826
274
384
4,484		 Company
2024
£000
3,006
283
386
3,675		 Company
2023
£000
2,994
274
384
3,652

Redundancy payments in the year were £32,762 (2023: £56,916).

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

42 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

14. Staff costs (continued)

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:

Marketng and membership
Reserves
Projects
Conservaton, policy & consultancy
Educaton, volunteering and visitor engagement
Administraton		 Group
2024
No.
15
28
5
30
14
26
118		 Group
2023
No.
14
18
18
28
15
23
116
Group Group
2024 2023
No. No.
In the band £60,001 - £70,000 - 1
In the band £70,001 - £80,000 1 -
In the band £80,001 - £90,000 1 1

The total employment benefits including employer pension contributions of the key management personnel were £391,800 (2023: £457,242).

15. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).

During the year ended 31 December 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - £NIL).

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

43

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

16.
Biological assets
Group and Company
Cost
At 1 January 2024
Additons
Disposals
Revaluatons
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Livestock
£000
202
26
(67)
23
184
184
202

Livestock were valued in the year to 31 December 2024 at £858 per head of cattle (2023: £787), £70 per sheep (2023: £66), £350 per pony (2023: £356), £100 per goat (2023: £76), and £175 per pig (2023: £320).

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

44 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

17.
Tangible fxed assets
Group and Company
Cost or valuaton
At 1 January 2024 (as
previously stated)
Prior Year Adjustment
At 1 January 2024 (as
restated)
Additons		 Freehold land
and buildings
£000
9,495
124
9,619
1,830
11,449
21
-
21
22
43
11,406
9,598		 Leasehold
land
£000
164
-
164
-
164
-
-
-
-
-
164
164		 Buildings
£000
2,006
(124)
1,882
33
1,915
610
-
610
14
624
1,291
1,272		 Motor
Vehicles
£000
226
-
226
-
226
512
(295)
217
4
221
5
9		 Furniture,
plant and
equipment
£000
3,606
-
3,606
905
4,511
1,418
-
1,418
358
1,776
2,735
2,188		 Total
£000
15,497
-
15,497
2,768
18,265
2,561
(295)
2,266
398
2,664
15,601
13,231
At 31 December 2024
Depreciaton
At 1 January 2024 (as
previously stated)
Prior Year Adjustment
At 1 January 2024 (as
restated)
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
(as restated)

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

45

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

18. Fixed asset investments

Group
Cost or valuaton
At 1 January 2024
Additons
Disposals
Revaluatons
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
Company
Cost or valuaton
At 1 January 2024
Additons
Disposals
Revaluatons
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Investments in
subsidiary
companies
£000
45
-
-
-
45
45
45		 Listed
investments
£000
1,383
(234)
(733)
173
1,057
1,057
1,383		 Listed
investments
£000
1,383
856
(733)
173
1,679
1,679
1,383
Total
£000
1,428
(234)
(733)
173
1,102
1,102
1,428

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

46 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

19. Principal subsidiaries

The following were subsidiary undertakings of the Company:

Names Company Class of Holding
number shares
Kent Wildlife Enterprises Ltd 03153795 Ordinary 100%
KWT Consultancy Services Ltd 12124607 Ordinary 100%
Wilder Carbon Ltd 13292942 Ordinary 100%
The fnancial results of the subsidiaries for the year were:
Names Income Expenditure Proft/(loss) for Net assets
the year
£000 £000 £000 £000
Kent Wildlife Enterprises Ltd 731 (272) 459 474
KWT Consultancy Services Ltd 1,368 (1,293) 75 117
Wilder Carbon Ltd 51 (1) 50 50

For the year ended 31 December 2024, the following subsidiaries of the charitable company were entitled to exemption from audit under s479A of the Companies Act 2006 relating to subsidiary companies:

Wilder Carbon Ltd (13292942)

20. Stocks

Work in progress
Finished goods and goods for resale		 Group
2024
£000
174
6
180		 Group
2023
£000
2
22
24

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

47

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

21. Debtors

Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Tax recoverable
22.
Current asset investments
Unlisted investments
23.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Other loans
Trade creditors
Other taxaton and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Group
2024
£000
488
-
69
1,312
3
1,872
Group
2024
£000
3
Group
2024
£000
-
624
175
38
404
1,241		 Group
As restated
2023
£000
498
-
42
988
6
1,534
Group
2023
£000
1,063
Group
2023
£000
146
193
187
34
708
1,268		 Company
2024
£000
177
13
66
977
-
1,233
Company
2024
£000
3
Company
2024
£000
-
543
106
30
325
1,004		 Company
As restated
2023
£000
104
323
42
787
-
1,256
Company
2023
£000
1,063
Company
2023
£000
146
121
101
28
618
1,014

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

48 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

24. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Other loans
Accruals and deferred income
funds
Designated funds
Land and Property
Fund
Conservaton
Acton Fund
Emergencies Fund
General funds
General Funds
(701)
KWT Consultancy
Ltd
42
Kent Wildlife
Enterprises Ltd
59
Wilder Carbon Ltd
43
Unrealised Gains
934
377
25.
Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
As restated
Balance at 1
January 2024
£000
Unrestricted
6,001
1,973
1,000
8,974		 3,906
1,368
731
51
-
6,068
Income
£000
-
150
-
150		 Group
2024
£000
370
622
992
(5,500)
(1,293)
(273)
(1)
-
(7,067)
Expenditure
£000
-
(27)
-
(27)		 Group
2023
£000
210
-
210
2,259
-
(43)
(43)
-
2,173
Transfers
in/out
£000
-
(1,433)
-
(1,433)		 Company
2024
£000
370
-
370
23
-
-
-
173
196
Gains/
(Losses)
£000
-
-
-
-		 Company
2023
£000
210
-
210
(13)
117
474
50
1,107
Balance at 31
December 2024
£000
6,001
663
1,000
7,664
1,735

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

49

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

25.
Statement of funds
Statement of funds
Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted funds
Nature Reserves
Holding
Pine Marten
Darent Valley
Landscape
Recovery
Polhill Appeal
Bison Bridges-N4N
H2O Source To
Sea
Sevenoaks visitor
centre
refurbishment
West Blean and
Thorndean
reserve
Other Restricted
Funds
Total of funds		 (contnued)
- current year (contnued)
As restated
Balance at 1
January 2024
Income
£000
£000
9,351
6,206
6,666
-
76
155
(38)
348
-
350
-
379
67
23
-
250
-
133
746
513
7,517
2,151
16,868
8,357		 Expenditure
£000
(7,094)
-
(106)
(309)
(2)
-
-
-
-
(481)
(898)
(7,992)		 Transfers
in/out
£000
740
374
-
-
(348)
(379)
(97)
-
(133)
(157)
(740)
-		 Gains/
(Losses)
£000
196
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
196		 Balance at 31
December 2024
£000
9,399
7,040
125
1
-
-
(7)
250
-
621
8,030
17,429

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

50 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

25.
Statement of funds
Statement of funds
funds
Designated funds
Land and Property
Fund
Conservaton
Acton Fund
Emergencies Fund
General funds
General Funds
KWT Consultancy
Ltd
Kent Wildlife
Enterprises Ltd
Wilder Carbon Ltd
Unrealised Gains
Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted funds
Nature Reserves
Holding
RMFC - 5th
Contnent
Wilder Blean
Unrestricted		 (contnued)
- prior year
791
45
52
-
827
1,715
10,581
6,232
102
255
As restated
Balance at
1 January
2023
£000
6,001
1,865
1,000
8,866		 3,248
957
228
52
-
4,485
4,735
-
-
213
Income
£000
-
250
-
250		 (5,648)
(960)
(186)
(9)
-
(6,803)
(6,882)
-
-
(31)
As restated
Expenditure
£000
-
(79)
-
(79)		 867
-
(35)
-
-
832
769
434
(102)
(423)
Transfers
in/out
£000
-
(63)
-
(63)		 41
-
-
-
107
148
148
-
-
-
Gains/
(Losses)
£000
-
-
-
-		 (701)
42
59
43
934
377
9,351
6,666
-
14
As restated
Balance at
31 December
2023
£000
6,001
1,973
1,000
8,974

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

51

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

25. Statement of funds (continued) Statement of funds - prior year (continued)

As restated As restated
Balance at Balance at
1 January As restated Transfers Gains/ 31 December
2023 Income Expenditure in/out (Losses) 2023
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Chough incl.
Appeal Funds 31 15 (102) (7) - (63)
Denyss Wilsden
Land Legacy 100 - - - - 100
Restore Our
Planet -Wilding 131 11 (50) - - 92
Other Restricted
Funds 701 974 (730) (237) - 708
Covert Wood
Appeal - 435 (1) (434) - -
7,552 1,648 (914) (769) - 7,517
Total of funds 18,133 6,383 (7,796) - 148 16,868

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

52 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

25. Statement of funds (continued)

Designated funds

Land and Property Fund

This fund represents the value of general funds invested in tangible assets other than nature reserves and is therefore not readily available for other purposes.

Conservation Action Fund

Emergencies Fund

stability in the event of a major decline in income.

Restricted funds

Delmonden Manor Farm

This represents 20.8 ha of land in the High Weald bequeathed to the Trust in the Will of Joyce Cordero.

H20 Source 2 Sea

This is interreg V (EU) funded wetland/water conservation project with a grouping of UK and French partners led by Kent Wildlife Trust as accountable body.

Nature Reserve Holdings

This is the cost of nature reserves funded through grant and appeal income.

Romney Marsh Fifth Continent

This is Heritage Lottery funding for fourteen projec ts across Romney Marsh over a four-year period.

Wilder Blean

This is our landmark project funded by People's Postcode Lottery Dreamfund which will introduce bison into our Blean Woods nature reserve.

Denyss Wilsden Land Legacy

This sum was donated in memory of Denyss Wilsden and his family and is to be used to purchase land to extend our South Blean reserve.

Pine Marten

To develop and deliver a pilot project to re-introduce Pine Marten to SE England.

Darent Valley Landscape Recovery

A Defra funded project bring together various stakeholders to help restore the natural lands capes of the Darent Valley.

Polhill Appeal

To purchase land adjacent to the existing Polhill Reserve in the North Downs.

Bison Bridges - N4N

A project to transform the West Blean and Thordean reserve, with Bison working as ecosystem engineers to restore ancient woodlands. This project includes the construction of four 'bison bridges'

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

53

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

25. Statement of funds (continued)

Sevenoaks Visitor Centre

The redevelopment of the existing Visitor Centre at the Sevenoaks Nature Reserve.

West Blean and Thorndean reserve

A project to transform the West Blean and Thorndean reserve, with Bison working as ecosystem engineers to restore ancient woodlands. This project includes the construction of four 'bison bridges' This fund relates to income received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Other Restricted Funds

This is other income received to be spent on specific activities as defined by the donor.

Tr purchased during the year with restricted monies.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

54 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2024

26. Summary of funds Summary of funds - current year

Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Summary of funds -
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds		 As restated
Balance at 1
January 2024
£000
8,974
377
7,517
16,868
prior year
As restated
Balance at
1 January
2023
£000
8,866
1,715
7,552
18,133		 Income
£000
150
6,056
2,151
8,357
Income
£000
250
4,485
1,648
6,383		 Transfers
Expenditure
in/(out)
£000
£000
(27)
(1,433)
(7,067)
2,173
(898)
(740)
(7,992)
-
As restated
Transfers
Expenditure
in/(out)
£000
£000
(79)
(63)
(6,803)
832
(914)
(769)
(7,796)
-		 Gains/
Balance at 31
(Losses) ** December 2024
£000
£000
-
7,664
196
1,735
-
8,030
196
17,429**
Gains/
As restated
Balance at
31 December
(Losses)
2023
£000
£000
-
8,974
148
377
-
7,517
148
16,868

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

55

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

27. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current period

Tangible fxed assets
Intangible fxed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
Restricted
funds
2024
£000
£000
8,018
7,583
184
-
1,679
-
1,751
447
(1,241)
-
(992)
-
9,399
8,030		 Total
funds
2024
£000
15,601
184
1,679
2,198
(1,241)
(992)
17,429

Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period

Tangible fxed assets
Intangible fxed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Total As restated		 As restated
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£000
6,565
202
1,383
2,679
(1,268)
(210)
9,351		 As restated
Restricted
funds
2023
£000
6,666
-
-
851
-
-
7,517		 As restated
Total
funds
2023
£000
13,231
202
1,383
3,530
(1,268)
(210)
16,868

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

56 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

28. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure) for the year (as per Statement of Financial Actvites)
Adjustments for:
Depreciaton charges
Gains on investments
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Loss on the disposal of fxed assets
Increase in stocks
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash provided by/ (used in) operatng actvites		 Group
2024
£000
538
398
(173)
(11)
-
(156)
(338)
755
1,013		 Group
As restated
2023
£000
(1,306)
597
(107)
(80)
5
(3)
(77)
625
(346)

29. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

Cash in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents		 Group
2024
£000
143
143		 Group
2023
£000
909
909

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

57

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

30. Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within 1 year
Debt due afer 1 year
Liquid investments		 At 1 January
2024
£000
909
(146)
(210)
1,063
1,616		 Cash fows
£000
(766)
146
(160)
(1,060)
(1,840)		 At 31
December
2024
£000
143
-
(370)
3
(224)

31. Prior year adjustments

There has been a prior year adjustment to correct the over-depreciation of furniture, plant and equipment. Two of these assets had been depreciated over 5 years rather than 25 years since 2021. The impact of this is to decrease furniture, plants and equipment accumulated depreciation brought forward and increase general reserves brought forward.

During the y ear it was noted that two legacies totalling £60,719 had been duplicated within the 2023 accounts alongside a further £39,216 for a legacy which has been overstated. The impact of this prior year adjustment was to reduce general reserves brought forward.

During the year, a detailed exercise was undertaken to review aged debts in KWT Consultancy Services LTD trading as Adonis Blue Environment Consultancy LTD. Following this review it was identified that a number of invoices had been raised in error s panning back to 2021. A prior year adjustment has been processed to remove the income and the relating trade debtors. The total of these amounts are £167,000, £62,000 and £1,000 for 2023, 2022 and 2021 respectively. The impact on the brought forward reserves is a reduction of £230,000.

As a result of the above adjustment, overpaid gift aid payments from KWT Consultancy Services LTD to Kent Wildlife Trust were reallocated to intercompany balances.

32. Capital commitments

Group Group
2024 2023
£000 £000
Contracted for but not provided in these fnancial statements
Acquisiton of tangible fxed assets 130,000 1,433,055

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

58 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

33. Operating lease commitments

At 31 December 2024 the Group and the Company had commitments to make future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Not later than 1 year
Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years		 Group
2024
£000
11
42
53		 Group
2023
£000
4
5
9

34. Related party transactions

At the year end, the charitable company was owed £505,000 (2023: £380,000) from KWT Consultancy Services Ltd and owed £475,000 (2023: 2,000) to Kent Wildlife Enterprises Ltd and was owed £17,000 (2023: £100) from Wilder Carbon, its subsidiary companies. Sales of £135,000 were made to and purchases of £18,000 from Kent Wildlife Enterprises Ltd. Sales of £119,000 were made to and purchases of £219,000 from KWT Consultancy Services Ltd. This includes recharges for subsidiaries' sa lary costs.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

59

Charity administration and governance

Charitable purposes

The charitable objects of the Trust are set out in the Articles of Association, namely, ‘For the benefit of the public to advance, promote and further the conservation, maintenance and protection of wildlife and the environment,’ and ‘To advance the education of the public in the principles and practice of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.’ In support of these purposes, the Trust ‘conducts research and publishes these findings.’

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The Trust provides multiple benefits for the public which are wide-ranging and long-lasting. Its nature reserves are used extensively by the public for recreation; many have access on clearly marked paths along with information and interpretation for visitors. The land managed by the Trust also provides a range of other public benefits such as flood risk management, carbon storage, climate resilience, amenity value and aesthetic beauty.

Through providing advice and assistance to farmers and landowners, the Trust also helps to support the rural economy and wider landscapes valued by the public, and increasingly, adaptation to the challenges faced by climate change which in turn supports food security.

The Trust delivers an extensive education and engagement programme, inspiring thousands of people of all ages, from schools, colleges, adult groups and the wider public, to enjoy contact with the natural world and benefit from its positive effect on health and wellbeing. Other beneficiaries of the work of the Trust include a team of approximately 1,100 active volunteers who serve regularly in a variety of roles and who benefit from the skills training offered. Likeminded organisations and local authorities for whom the Trust manages sites or provides information also benefit, and the Trust caters at certain sites for the needs of people who have accessibility or other specific needs.

Evidence and advice provided by the Trust to local government, private companies, landowners and communities helps to ensure that decisions on policies relating to land management, development and public health take full account of the public benefit of wildlife and a healthy environment.

Fundraising

The Trust manages relationships with approximately 31,000 members. When members are asked for financial contributions, it is done in a responsible, respectful and ethical manner. The same applies to all our supporters, including those giving one-off donations or legacies.

Kent Wildlife Trust is always seeking to improve the ways in which it relates to its supporters by developing and sharing best practice. To demonstrate commitment to ethical fundraising practices, the Trust is a member of the Fundraising Regulator and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and adheres to their recognised standards.

The Trust does not believe in approaching vulnerable people for financial support and aims to avoid causing distress to anyone by doing so. The Trust always seeks to exceed the expectations of its members and supporters in everything it does. However, the Trust recognises that there are times where these high standards are not met. When this happens, the Trust encourages those to get in touch in order to deal with the situation as quickly as possible and put measures in place to prevent such issues occurring again. As such, there is a Complaints Policy published on the Trust’s website to enable members and supporters to get in contact and express their concerns. No complaints relating to Trust fundraising practices were received between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024.

The Trust actively seeks to work with businesses with whom a common cause is shared, and to do so in a manner compatible with the Trust’s Corporate Relationships Policy.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

60 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Structure

The Trust is a registered charity (No. 239992) and a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (No. 00633098). The Chief Executive Officer, Evan Bowen-Jones, has operational oversight of the 106 staff employed by the Trust. The Trust has three wholly owned subsidiaries, forming the Group, which abide by the objects, policies and procedures of the Trust:

The work of the subsidiaries is overseen by separate Boards of directors – each including representation from the Board of Trustees – with these Boards being accountable to Council.

Council is assisted by various ‘Task and Finish’ groups and committees.

Risk and Finance Committee

Risk across the Trust is managed on an ongoing basis by the Senior Leadership Team and is overseen by a Risk and Finance Committee of Council which meets at least quarterly. The Trust maintains a risk matrix methodology for assessing, monitoring and recording risk which is updated regularly, and measures are put in place to minimise or mitigate risk where possible. Members of the Risk and Finance Committee during the reporting period included Jane Ibbotson (Chair), Chris West, Rachel Hoey and Alison Mings, as well as members of the Senior Leadership Team.

Nominations and Remuneration Committee

This committee sets the salary for the Chief Executive Officer following an annual assessment and confidential benchmarking exercise. The Trust uses benchmarking and comparisons with the salaries of other Wildlife Trusts, environmental NGOs and comparable businesses on a regular basis to attract and retain the best people. Salaries for the COO and

Directors are monitored by Trustees. Members of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee during the reporting period included the Chair of Trustees and the Treasurer.

Governance

The Trust’s governing document is in two parts: The Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association. Each subsidiary company has its own Articles of Association.

The Trust is governed by a Council of Management (a Board of Trustees referred to as ‘Council’), made up of members who serve as both Trustees of the Trust and directors of the Company. All Trustees are volunteers and are elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting.

Council meets on a quarterly basis and has adopted the principles of good governance promoted by the Charity Commission. Trustees are responsible for setting the Trust’s strategic objectives and policies and for ensuring they are achieved. Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Council is also responsible for assessing, managing and monitoring strategic risks to the delivery of the Trust’s purposes.

Recruitment and Trustees’ training

Vacancies on Council are advertised widely, with the necessary skills and experience identified by a Trustee skills audit. The process for recruiting Trustees is overseen by the Nomination and Remunerations Committee.

All Trustees receive induction training sufficient for them to be able to understand their responsibilities and regular training is made available on an ongoing basis as needs or opportunities are identified. In addition, Trustees are invited to attend site visits and the annual All-Trust day as opportunities to keep fully informed of issues affecting the Trust and their role as Trustees. Trustees are committed to the principles of equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) which are reflected through the Trust’s recruitment and HR policies for staff and volunteers.

Related parties

The Trust is a member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (registered charity number 207238) along with the 45 other Wildlife Trusts throughout the UK. They are collectively known as The Wildlife Trusts.

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

61

Thank you

The Trust wishes to thank all our members, staff, volunteers, donors, funders and investors for their commitment to nature conservation. Without your help, Kent Wildlife Trust would not be able to continue carrying out vital work in safeguarding and restoring the wildlife of Kent.

Together, we will create a Wilder Kent.

Members of Council

Christopher West, Chair Charles Tassell, Vice-Chair (Resigned 20 July 2024) Nick Barter (Vice-Chair from 21 July 2024) Rachel Hoey, Honorary Treasurer Colin Peters (Resigned 20 July 2024) Liz Lowe Tom Woolgar Jane Ibbotson Alison Mings Kiran Rayner (Appointed 20 July 2024) Jon Kirkpatrick (Appointed 18 October 2024)

Kent Wildlife Trust Annual Report 2024

62 Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545

Kent Wildlife Trust, Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3BD

Registered Charity No. 239992. A company limited in England and Wales by guarantee 633098. Registered at the above address.

kentwildlifetrust.org.uk info@kentwildlife.org.uk 01622 662012

Document ID: 498dc8826ac333c35e4ac97261f55f1919fb33c50a9d53f3538e20b73995f545