
## CHARITY NUMBER 243877 COMPANY NUMBER 00358266 

## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) AND SUBSIDIARY** 

## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

Page No. 

1-23 Report of the Trustees (incorporating the Strategic Report) 24-25 Legal and Administrative Information 26-29 Independent Auditor’s Report 30 Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 31 Balance Sheets 32 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 33 - 54 Notes to the Financial Statements 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

The  Trustees  present  their  Annual  Report,  including  the  Report  of  the  Trustees  together  with the  Strategic  Report  under  the  Companies  Act  2006.  The  accompanying  financial  statements include  the  consolidated  results  and  balance  sheet  of  Glyndebourne  Productions  Limited (“GPL”  and  “the  Charity”)  and  its  trading  subsidiary,  Glyndebourne  Enterprises  Limited  (“GEL”) for the year ended 31 December 2024. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

GPL  was  incorporated  in  1939  with  the  objective  under  the  Memorandum  &  Articles  of Association  of  “the  promotion  of  aesthetic  education  and  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of public  taste  in  music,  opera  or  the  other  arts  and  the  doing  of  all  such  other  things  as  are incidental to the attainment of the above objects”. 

Our mission to realise this objective is: 

- to create world-class transformative operatic experiences; 

- to remain financially independent; 

- to engage broad audiences; and 

- to create a stimulating and inspirational environment for all. 

The principal activities undertaken to achieve this comprise: 

- an annual **Festival** of live opera at Glyndebourne; 

- an **Autumn  Season** of  live  opera  to  a  broad-ranging  audience  at  more  accessible prices; and 

- a  year–round **Learning  and  Engagement** programme  comprising  youth  and community  programmes  including  regular  youth  opera  groups  for  local  children  and performances  for  schools,  funded  in  such  a  way  as  to  ensure  that  participants, regardless of their background, are able to participate. 

The  commercial  activities  of  merchandising,  art,  production  sale  and  hire,  and  the  sale  of surplus  electricity  generated  by  the  Charity’s  wind  turbine  are  undertaken  through  GEL  to generate additional income streams to support the Charity’s core objectives. 

## **Public Benefit** 

The  Trustees  have  given  due  consideration  to  the  Charity  Commission’s  general  guidance  on public  benefit  and  are  satisfied  that  our  objectives,  strategy,  future  plans  and  activities,  as noted  above  and  further  referenced  under  the  four  core  objectives  in  the  Strategic  Report,  fall within  the  charitable  purpose  of  “the  advancement  of  the  arts,  culture,  heritage  of  science”  as required by Charities Act 2011. 

In  setting  out  above  the  principal  activities  undertaken  by  the  Charity  to  achieve  its  objective and  mission  the  Trustees  consider  there  to  be  clearly  identifiable  benefits  of  the  Charity  which are closely related to its aims. 

Glyndebourne’s  aims  are  intended  to  benefit  the  public  generally,  rather  than  a  specific  section of  it.  The  opportunities  created  by  specific  areas  of  activity  are  outlined  in  more  detail  under ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE below. 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **STRATEGIC REPORT** 

We  celebrated  our  90th  anniversary  in  2024  with  outstanding  productions  on  stage  and sold-out performances across the year. 

We  staged  five  operas  in  Festival  2024,  running  from  mid-May  to  the  end  of  August:  new productions  of _Carmen_ (Bizet)  and _The  Merry  Widow_ (Lehár)  alongside  revivals  of _Die Zauberflöte_ (Mozart) _,  Giulio  Cesare_ (Handel)  and _Tristan  und  Isolde_ (Wagner) _._ The  Festival was  a  success  both  artistically  and  in  terms  of  audience  numbers  with  the  highest  paid  ticket attendance at 94,384 since comparable records began in 2007. 

On  the  mainstage  from  October  to  December  2024  we  staged  two  operas: _La  Traviata_ and _Il Turco  in  Italia_ ,  a  programme  of  concerts  and  hosted  the  One  Voice  Festival  of  Singing,  a  joint project  with  Create  Music  for  school  groups  across  the  south  east.  The  Autumn  Season  saw full  houses  with  attendance  at  32,664,  an  increase  of  over  30%  year-on-year.  Already  one  of the  UK’s  biggest  opera  events,  the  emphasis  of  the  Autumn  Season  is  on  discovery,  delivered through  the  celebration  and  platforming  of  emerging  talent  and  through  designing  the  season to be accessible to new and diverse audiences. 

2024  also  saw  the  continuation  of  a  rolling  capital  programme  to  replace  and  overhaul  ageing parts  of  the  opera  house  building  and  infrastructure.  This  included  two  further  phases  of  our stage  automation  programme,  addressing  upgrade  and  replacement  of  our  orchestra  pit  lifts, rebuild  of  the  stage  floor,  and  redevelopment  of  the  under-stage  mezzanine  including installation of new performer lifts. 

Glyndebourne’s  finances  continue  to  be  in  good  health.  The  2024  season  was  planned  in  the uncertainties  of  the  Covid  pandemic  and  was  therefore  designed  to  deliver  as  strong  a financial  performance  as  possible,  with  choices  made  to  give  greater  weighting  of  the repertoire  to  well  known  opera  titles  in  order  to  appeal  to  as  broad  an  audience  as  possible including  those  new  to  opera  as  well  as  existing  loyal  audiences  and  members.  Box  office sales  and  support  from  members  and  donors  continued  to  be  strong  in  the  face  of  financial challenges around sustained high inflation rates compounding pressure on our cost base. 

At  the  time  of  publication  of  this  report,  we  are  weeks  into  the  2025  Festival,  a  programme  of 77  performances  over  six  full-scale  productions:  Glyndebourne’s  first  ever  staging  of _Parsifal_ (Wagner),  a  new  production  of  Mozart’s _Le  Nozze  di  Figaro,_ alongside  revivals  of _The  Barber of  Seville_ (Rossini) _,  Saul_ (Handel) _,  Falstaff_ (Verdi)  and _Kat’a  Kabanova_ (Janacek).  Box  office sales  across  our  members’  ballot  and  public  bookings  have  been  strong  including  two  titles already sold out. 

2025  marks  the  start  of  the  ten-year  countdown  to  the  centenary  of  the  Glyndebourne  Festival. We  remain  confident  that  with  the  financial  discipline  and  continued  support  from  audiences, members,  donors,  supporters,  artists  and  staff  that  has  held  the  charity  in  good  stead  for  many years,  Glyndebourne  is  in  a  strong  financial  position  to  be  able  to  invest  in  its  future.  Financial forecasts  to  2028  are  under  regular  review  to  maintain  a  live  picture  of  forecast  finances.  The Board  of  Trustees  and  Executive  Directors  are  confident  that  Glyndebourne  will  continue  as  a going concern. 

Our  story  of  2024  is  shared  in  our  Annual  Review  2024  publication giving  a  summary  of  our achievements  on  stage,  development  of  future  artists,  in  the  community,  financial  review  and environmental activity. 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

The  key  strands  to  our  business  model  -  the  Festival,  Autumn  Season,  and  Learning  and Engagement  -  all  contribute  to  our  four  core  objectives.  None  of  these  objectives  can  be achieved  in  isolation.  We  can  only  continue  to  deliver  the  highest  quality  operatic  experience to  as  many  people  as  possible  if  we  have  the  appropriate  financial  resources  in  place  to  do  so. Our  achievements  and  performance  in  2024,  and  future  plans  relevant  to  each  of  our  core strategic objectives are set out on the following pages. 

## **(1) Create world-class transformative operatic experiences** 

Glyndebourne’s  global  reputation  stems  from  a  passion  for  artistic  excellence.  Founder  John Christie  insisted  on  “doing  not  the  best  that  we  can  do  but  the  best  that  can  be  done anywhere”. For over ninety years that has remained Glyndebourne’s touchstone. 

We  strive  to  provide  the  best  possible  environment  for  artists  with  a  long  rehearsal  period, world-class  coaching  and  a  strong  culture  of  nurture.  Emerging  artists  are  offered development  opportunities  through  the  Autumn  Season  productions  and  our  extensive understudy  programme.  Our  Chorus  is  world-renowned,  with  all  members  being  appraised annually  in  order  to  maintain  artistic  standards,  and  a  well-established  Chorus  development scheme  offers  selected  choristers  the  opportunity  for  additional  coaching  and  solo  concert performances.  Glyndebourne  and  its  audiences  are  noted  for  their  sense  of  adventure  with programmes  balancing  well-known  repertoire  with  less  familiar  works,  both  old  and  new, including UK premieres and new commissions. 

Glyndebourne’s  2024  Festival  opened  with  a  popular,  fresh  interpretation  of  Bizet’s _Carmen_ , directed  by  Diane  Paulus  in  her  Glyndebourne  debut.  Our  first  full  staging  of  Franz  Lehar’s operetta _The  Merry  Widow_ ,  presented  in  a  new  English-language  version  by  Stephen  Plaice and  Marcia  Bellamy,  was  also  a  highlight.  We  also  revived  David  McVicar’s  acclaimed  staging of  Handel’s _Giulio  Cesare_ ,  Barbe  &  Doucet’s  imaginative  rendition  of  Mozart’s _Die  Zauberflote_ and Nikolaus Lehnhoff’s 2003 production of Wagner’s _Tristan und Isolde_ . 

Overall  audience  ratings  placed  the  revival  of _Giulio  Cesare_ as  the  second  highest-rated production of the last ten years, with more than 80% of respondents rating it as ‘exceptional’. 

Glyndebourne’s  Autumn  Season  featured  two  operas: _La  Traviata_ and _Il  Turco  in  Italia_ ,  a programme  of  concerts,  and  the  One  Voice  Festival  of  Singing,  a  joint  project  with  Create Music  for  school  groups  across  the  south  east.  The  Autumn  Season  focusses  on  emerging talent,  with  nine  singers  including  Elisa  Verzier, _La  Traviata’s_ Violetta  and  Fabio  Capitanucci, Don Geronio in _Il turco in Italia_ making their Glyndebourne  debuts in Autumn 2024. 

Our  Learning  and  Engagement  (“L&E”)  programme  continued  to  work  year-round  with communities  and  partners  across  Sussex,  culminating  in  a  host  of  activities  taking  place alongside  our  mainstage  Autumn  Season  productions.  Our  work  with  children  and  young people  included  a  programme  of  activities  for  schools  and  participation  outside  of  school through  Glyndebourne  Youth  Opera.  Our  ambition  is  to  provide  operatic  experiences  for,  with and  by  young  people,  especially  those  who  wouldn’t  otherwise  have  the  opportunity.  As  an example,  76%  of  children  attending  our  school  matinee  performances  in  Autumn  2024  had never seen an opera before. 

Further details are shared in our review of Diversity and Inclusion on pages 18-21. 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

## **(2)  Remain financially independent** 

Glyndebourne’s  ambition  to  do  “the  best  that  can  be  done  anywhere”  has  earned  the  charity  a loyal  following,  enabling  our  financial  independence  to  be  preserved.  However,  we  are  not complacent  about  the  challenges  we  face  in  the  cost  of  living  crisis  compounded  by  ongoing global  events,  and  the  need  to  invest  to  maintain  our  competitive  edge  from  an  artistic, audience and staff perspective. 

Festival  ticket  prices  are  set  at  a  level  intended  to  fund  annual  operating  costs,  with  the privately-funded  Festival  bearing  all  fixed  costs  associated  with  operating  the  Charity.  This  is essential  in  ensuring  the  financial  viability  of  the  Autumn  Season  and  Learning  &  Engagement activity  which  are  key  contributors  to  GPL’s  strategy  to  make  our  work  available  to  broader audiences.  High  inflation  rates  in  recent  times  has  put  increasing  pressure  on  box  office income and fundraising which together fund 80-90% of annual operating costs. 

Details  on  our  financial  performance  for  2024  and  financial  outlook  are  set  out  in  the FINANCIAL REVIEW on pages 11-14. 

## **Fundraising and memberships** 

Income  from  our  supporters  includes  membership  subscriptions,  donations,  associated  gift aid,  and  legacies.  We  are  mindful  of  our  potential  over-reliance  on  our  loyal  members  and donors  who,  in  addition  to  giving  much  needed  sponsorships  for  opera  productions,  also donate  to  the  Annual  Fund  and  the  New  Generation  Programme,  supporting  a  wide  range  of additional  activity  including  our  schools  programme,  Under  30s  programme,  and  other audience and artist development activity. 

We received £1.1m of unrestricted legacy income in 2024 (2023: £558k), providing an additional valuable source of income. We continue to recognise and thank those generous and forward-thinking individuals who have decided to leave a gift to GPL in their will through the living legacy programme, the John Christie Society. 

The  2024  Autumn  Season  and  Learning  &  Engagement  programme  continued  to  rely  on  vital support  from  Arts  Council  England  in  the  form  of  a  grant  of  £800k.  The  grant  covered  around 21%  (2023:  14%)  of  direct  costs  of  the  Autumn  Season  and  Learning  and  Engagement programme  with  the  balance  raised  through  ticket  sales,  the  support  of  members,  donors  and sponsors,  and  subsidy  from  the  Festival.  With  the  Arts  Council  funding  support  having  been reduced  by  52%  for  2023-26,  we  have  had  to  adapt  our  approach  outside  of  the  Festival season.  The  reduction  in  ACE  funding  across  the  arts  sector  brings  challenges,  but Glyndebourne  remains  committed  to  being  a  year-round  organisation  and  to  delivering  our core purpose of enriching the lives of as many people as possible through opera. 

We  do  not  take  this  support  for  granted  and  are  constantly  working  to  expand  our  pool  of donors and to ensure that the Charity’s resources are used responsibly to best effect. 

## **Fundraising governance** 

In  order  to  achieve  the  objective  of  remaining  financially  independent,  GPL  solicits  funding support  from  individuals,  trusts  and  corporate  contacts.  The  majority  of  these  supporters  are already  GPL  members  and  have  an  established  relationship  with  the  Charity.  Policies  and procedures  for  the  solicitation  of  funds  are  appropriate,  well-understood,  monitored  and 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

reviewed  on  a  regular  basis.  Each  solicitation  is  based  on  a  planned  and  authorised  cultivation strategy.  This  strategy  includes  the  method  of  approach,  the  sequencing  of  funding  requests and  the  plan  for  thanking,  following  up  and  cultivating  for  further  gifts.  In  developing  the strategy,  data  protection  policies  and  other  relevant  legislation  and  best  practice  are  followed and the solicitation process is fully tracked on our CRM system. 

GPL  management  and  Trustees  treat  the  relationship  with  donors  and  approach  to  fundraising very  seriously.  No  complaints  related  to  fundraising  were  received  in  2024  (2023:  none).  We continue  to  review  all  of  our  fundraising  practice  and  policies  to  ensure  that  relevant  legislation and  best-practice  guidelines  are  complied  with.  Specifically,  we  comply  with  the  Fundraising Code  of  Practice,  the  Information  Commissioner’s  Office  Direct  Marketing  guidelines,  the  UK General  Data  Protection  Regulations,  and  are  registered  with  the  Fundraising  Regulator.  We want  our  donors  to  be  proud  to  support  Glyndebourne,  not  to  feel  pressured  into  donating,  and we  endeavour  not  to  contact  anyone  who  doesn’t  want  us  to.  We  take  our  supporters’ requests  and  the  protection  of  their  personal  data  seriously.  We  never  swap  or  sell  their  data. Like  many  charities,  we  use  data  to  support  our  fundraising  work,  including  established profiling  and  screening  tools.  This  allows  us  to  identify  and  communicate  more  effectively  with people  who  may  be  most  interested  in  supporting  Glyndebourne.  Our  supporters  choose  what communications  they  receive  from  us  and  how  we  contact  them;  they  can  amend  their  choices or  opt  out  of  our  communications  at  any  time.  All  of  our  fundraising  and  customer  service  staff are trained in best-practice guidelines for dealing with vulnerable people. 

## **Other income** 

Theatre  Tax  Relief  (TTR),  introduced  by  the  Government  in  2014  with  the  objective  of  boosting employment  in  the  Arts,  continues  to  generate  a  welcome  additional  source  of  income  and  at higher rates of relief announced in the Government’s Budget in Spring 2024. 

Commercial  activity  is  undertaken  by  the  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Glyndebourne  Enterprises Ltd  (“GEL”):  merchandising,  art,  hires  of  productions  to  other  theatres,  props-making  for commercial  purposes,  and  the  generation  and  sale  of  electricity  produced  by  the  wind  turbine. This  provides  a  valuable  source  of  income  to  the  Charity  in  meeting  its  objective  to  remain financially  independent.  For  the  year  ended  31  December  2024,  GEL  generated  a  profit  of £3.7m  (2023:  £3.4m),  including  TTR.  Profits  of  £3.0m  (2023:  £3.1m)  were  gifted  to  the  Charity in 2024. 

Whilst  we  continue  to  make  every  effort  to  achieve  box  office  and  fundraising  targets  each year,  and  bring  in  additional  income  through  other  revenue  generating  activities,  we  equally recognise  the  importance  of  cost  control  in  remaining  financially  independent.  As  part  of  our budgeting  and  re-forecasting  process  we  routinely  scrutinise  our  cost  base  and  challenge ourselves  to  find  more  efficient  ways  of  working  to  ensure  that  our  core  financial  objectives continue to be met. 

## **(3)  Engage broad audiences** 

Glyndebourne  engages  with  audiences  in  a  variety  of  ways,  be  it  live  at  Glyndebourne, participation  through  one  of  our  Learning  and  Engagement  activities,  or  engagement  through media  development.  The  Charity  aims  to  be  truly  inclusive  by  maximising  the  reach, engagement and diversity of people who experience Glyndebourne. 

In  2024  we  reached  a  live  audience  of  127,048  through  a  total  of  104  mainstage  opera  and concert performances, filling 98% of seats. 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

## for the year ended 31 December 2024 

Across  the  77  performances  of  opera  in  Festival  2024,  we  filled  over  94,000  seats,  generating £18.5m  of  box  office  income.  Over  2,000  seats  were  sold  to  those  aged  30  and  under  for £30-£45  each  as  part  of  the  Under  30s  audience  development  programme,  the  discounted ticket  price  primarily  being  funded  by  generous  donors  giving  to  the  New  Generation Programme.  1,361  tickets  were  sold  to  Under  40s  Members,  who  enjoy  50%  off  a  pair  of tickets each Festival season. 

The  2024  Autumn  Season  was  enjoyed  by  full  houses  of  audiences  totalling  32,664  across  27 performances.  This  included  4,236  concessions  of  which  over  3,000  were  children’s  tickets. We  sold  97%  of  tickets  with  26%  of  bookers  being  new  to  our  customer  database.  For  25%  of our  new  adult  bookers,  their  choice  of  performance  in  the  Autumn  Season  was  their  first  time attending  an  opera.  Already  one  of  the  UK’s  biggest  opera  events,  the  emphasis  of  the Autumn  Season  for  our  audiences  is  discovery,  delivered  through  designing  the  season  to  be accessible  to  new  and  diverse  audiences.  52%  of  tickets  sold  for  the  2024  Autumn  Season were priced between £6-£48. 

Our  membership  numbers  across  Glyndebourne  Festival  Society  (GFS)  lifelong  membership and  Associate  Memberships  (ASM)  grew  to  over  14,300  for  2024  (2023:  over  14,000).  Our Under  40s  membership,  a  pipeline  to  Associate  Membership,  grew  to  1,137  for  2024  (2023: 526). 

Media  development  facilitates  the  distribution  of  Glyndebourne’s  work  through  digital  streams, cinema  broadcasts,  and  television,  enabling  the  Charity  to  reach  and  engage  with  as  broad  an audience  as  possible,  helping  to  break  down  barriers  to  access  and  experience  our  work including  those  associated  with  cost  and  location.  We  invested  £172k  in  filming  our  new Festival  production  of _Merry  Widow_ in  2024,  broadcast  on  BBC  on  Christmas  Day  and  will  be available to stream on the _Glyndebourne Encore_ platform. 

We  aim  to  continue  to  grow  our  audience  numbers  and  demand  for  as  many  performances  of live opera as can be accommodated in the Festival and Autumn periods. 

## **(4)  Create a stimulating and inspirational environment for all** 

The  Charity  strives  to  make  Glyndebourne  a  stimulating,  inspirational  and  inclusive environment  for  staff,  artists,  audience  and  everyone  else  we  engage  with.  Our  continued engagement  with  inspirational  directors,  world-class  orchestras  and  performers,  and  the ongoing  drive  to  commission  new  work,  go  hand  in  hand  with  newer  innovations  such  as online streaming to reach new audiences. 

From  a  staff  perspective,  the  Charity  aims  to  inspire  and  enable  all  company  members  to  fulfil their  potential  in  line  with  GPL’s  four  strategic  objectives.  Our  mission  to  do  ‘not  the  best  that we  can  do,  but  the  best  that  can  be  done  anywhere’  requires  a  culture  where  everyone  is enabled  to  perform  their  best,  produce  their  best,  and  participate  in  Glyndebourne’s  continued journey.  S haping  our  culture  is  key  for  our  strategic  objective  of  ‘Creates  a  stimulating  and inspirational  environment  for  all’  and  aims  to  make  Glyndebourne  a  better  place  to  work,  or indeed  the _best_ place  to  work.  To  facilitate  this,  regular  staff  engagement  surveys  are conducted  and  acted  upon.  An  ongoing  consultancy  on  management  and  leadership  culture will help to further enhance and shape company culture. 

Our  greatest  priority  remains  the  health  and  well  being  of  everyone  we  engage  with,  our Company  members,  audiences  and  contractors.  Furthering  our  commitment  to  create  a  safe 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

working  environment  for  all,  we  have  18  members  of  staff  trained  as  Mental  Health  First Aiders  who  are  there  to  listen,  support  and  be  able  to  signpost  professional  help.  We  are  part of  the  Guardians  Network,  a  programme  set  up  by  the  Old  Vic,  which  offers  a  confidential outlet  for  colleagues  to  share  concerns  about  behaviour  at  work  and  as  part  of  this  we  have two internally appointed and trained 'Guardians.' 

From  an  audience  and  artist  perspective,  the  charity  aims  to  provide  a  memorable  experience over  and  above  the  opera  itself,  mindful  of  the  need  to  maintain  our  competitive  edge  and  the quality  of  experience  for  all  who  engage  with  GPL.  Post-show  questionnaires  are  sent  to  all ticket bookers and have a very high response rate, helping to inform future investment. 

## **Environmental report** 

At  Glyndebourne  we  remain  committed  to  doing  everything  we  can  to  reduce  the  impact  of what  we  do  on  the  environment,  and  to  encourage  everyone  we  engage  with  to  do  the  same. We  strive  to  establish  more  sustainable  ways  of  continuing  to  deliver  the  highest  quality  opera whilst creating a stimulating and inspirational environment for all. 

In  line  with  the  UN-backed  global Race  to  Zero ,  Glyndebourne  is  committed  to  halving  our carbon  emissions  by  2030  and  achieving  net  zero  emissions  by  2050.  Taking  2019  as  the baseline  for  our  carbon  emissions,  we  have  reduced  Glyndebourne’s  direct  carbon  emissions by  19%  through  the  success  of  the  Glyndebourne  wind  turbine,  the  adoption  of  a  wide-range of energy-saving measures and a move to zero-waste-to-landfill. 

Since  the  commissioning  of  the  Glyndebourne  wind  turbine  in  2012,  it  has  produced  the equivalent  of  101%  of  the  electricity  used  by  Glyndebourne  in  the  period  2012-24,  with  the balance  being  supplied  to  the  national  grid  supplying  green  energy  to  local  homes.  The  wind turbine  generated  1,440  megawatt  hours  of  electricity  in  2024  (2023:  1,617  MwH),  with  90% (2023:  53%)  of  this  being  used  by  Glyndebourne  and  the  balance  fed  directly  to  the  national grid. 

The  below  chart  tracks  our  direct  carbon  emissions  since  2019,  measured  using  the  Creative Climate  Tools  methodology  developed  by  Julie’s  Bicycle,  a  leading  non-profit  organisation partnering  with  over  2,000  arts  and  cultural  organisations  in  the  UK  and  internationally  to mobilise the sector to act on the climate crisis. 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 


Since  2011  our  Environmental  Champions,  a  group  of  staff  volunteers  representing  all departments,  have  worked  hard  to  drive  initiatives  to  further  reduce  our  carbon  footprint. Actions undertaken in 2024 included the following: 

- Insulation  –  phase  2  of  programme  to  install  double  glazed  windows  in  the  opera house 

- Completion  of  final  phase  of  auditorium  lighting  replacement  project,  bringing  to  a close  a  project  that  began  in  2022  to  introduce  a  new  LED  lighting  system  in  the auditorium  that  is  significantly  more  efficient  in  terms  of  energy  consumption  and longevity. Existing infrastructure was utilised to save on waste and cost on this project. 

- Trial of electric bus vehicles as potential replacement of ageing staff minibus fleet 

- Extension of sensor lighting to more areas of the opera house. 

- Scenery for operas no longer in our repertoire were taken apart and recycled for reuse. 

- More  scenic  elements  were  made  on  site  in  our  Production  Hub,  reducing transportation  to  scenery  contractors  in  Plymouth  and  Cardiff  and  cutting  carbon emissions. 

In 2025 we will continue to develop our strategic plan of action for all environmental activity. 

As  we  look  intentionally  and  in  detail  at  necessary  developments  to  our  physical  space  to equip  us  for  the  next  100  years,  respectful  consideration  will  be  given  to  the  environmental impact of any works or design plans. 

Meanwhile more immediate projects planned for 2025 include: 

- Insulation  –  final  phase  of  programme  to  install  double  glazed  windows  in  the  opera house 

- Solar power - Installation of solar panels on the roof of our Production Hub building 

- Replacement  of  stage  and  backstage  lighting  to  LED  systems,  following  on  from  the completion of upgrading auditorium house lighting to LED 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

- The  extension  of  viability  study  to  replace  the  minibus  fleet  with  electric  buses, following a trial in 2024 

- Alongside  36  EV  car  charging  stations  in  our  audience  and  staff  car  parks,  the feasibility of further EV charging stations in our coach park is being explored. 

- Further deployment of sensor LED lighting to offices and stores 

- Carbon literacy training for staff. 

We remain committed to: 

- Continue  to  reduce  gross  recorded  Scope  1  and  Scope  2  emissions  from  2019 baseline of 1,200 tonnes CO2. 

- Offset  net  emissions  from  the  previous  year  (2024)  by  investing  an  amount  equivalent to  £25  per  tonne  CO2  (in  line  with  current  suggested  contribution  to  Woodland  Trust UK)  in  direct  carbon  emission  reduction  plans  at  Glyndebourne  within  the  following  12 months. 

We  also  report  under  the  UK  mandatory  Streamlined  Energy  and  Carbon  Reporting  (SECR) requirements,  covering  UK  energy  use  and  associated  greenhouse  gas  emissions  as  a minimum  relating  to  gas,  electricity  and  transport  fuel,  as  well  as  an  intensity  ratio,  and information relating to energy efficiency action. 

The table below details our energy consumption and emissions. 

|**GHG emissions and energy use data**|**Scope**|**Unit**|**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Energy consumption||kWh|2,091,488|1,906,748|
|Emissions from combustion of gas|1|tCO2e|236|220|
|Emissions  from  combustion  of  fuel  for<br>transport purposes|1|tCO2e|47|33|
|Emissions  from  business  travel  in  rental<br>cars  or  employee-owned  vehicles  where<br>company  is  responsible  for  purchasing<br>fuel|3|tCO2e|5|5|
|Emissions from purchased electricity|2|tCO2e|180|153|
|Total emissions||tCO2e|468|411|
|Intensity  ratio:  tCO2e  per  m2  of  floor<br>area|||0.14|0.12|



Glyndebourne’s  energy  consumption  in  2024  totalled  2.1m  kWh  (2023:  1.9m  kWh).  This includes  purchased  electricity  and  gas.  Our  gas  and  electricity  usage  increased  due  to increased  performance  numbers  (104  in  2024  compared  with  96  in  2023)  and  colder  weather conditions,  with  the  programme  for  replacing  older  boilers  with  higher  efficiency  gas  boilers completed  during  2024.  Our  transport  emissions  include  the  use  of  our  minibuses  which  are available  to  all  members  of  staff  and  performing  companies  to  transport  them  to  and  from Lewes and Glyndebourne to encourage fewer individual car journeys. 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

Intensity  ratio  is  based  on  tCO2e/m2  of  occupied  floor  space  across  both  the  Glyndebourne site and our storage facility off site. 

Methodology  -  The  methodology  used  is  based  on  the  Greenhouse  Gas  Protocol  Corporation Standard  (GHG  Protocol).  Electricity  and  gas  data  is  collected  from  monthly  meter  readings. Transport data is compiled from employee expense claims and invoices. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

Glyndebourne’s  2024  artistic  repertoire  was  planned  during  the  Covid  pandemic  in  an uncertain  financial  and  operational  environment.  As  such,  the  2024  financial  year  was designed  to  deliver  as  strong  a  financial  performance  as  possible.  Choices  were  made  to  give a  greater  weighting  to  well  known  opera  titles  to  appeal  to  as  broad  a  potential  audience  as possible  -  including  those  new  to  opera  as  well  as  our  loyal  base  of  members.  We  also  chose to  present  five,  rather  than  the  usual  six,  opera  titles  over  the  Festival  2024  period  with  a second performance run of our new _Carmen_ with a second  cast as the sixth ‘production’. 

Total income for 2024 before Creative Tax Reliefs (CTR) was £38.4m (2023: £33.8m). 

- Box  office  income  and  fundraising  continue  to  represent  the  majority  (around  80%)  of income  before  CTR.  Box  office  income  grew  to  £20.1m  (2023:  £17.8m)  with  record audience numbers. 

- Income  from  memberships,  donations,  legacies  and  grants  totalled  £9.8m  (2023: £9.8m).  This  included  a  grant  of  £0.8m  from  Arts  Council  England  to  support  our  work on  talent  development  and  with  children  and  young  people  across  our  2024  Autumn season and Learning and Engagement programme (2023: £0.8m). 

- Other  sources  of  income  -  including  retail,  programme  sales,  catering,  hire  of productions,  electricity  generation  from  the  Glyndebourne  wind  turbine,  media  sales, investment income - contributed a further £8.4m  (2023: £6.2m) of income. 

Total  operating  costs  were  £38.9m  (2023:  £33.2m).  Around  half  of  this  is  direct  spend  on productions:  £19.0m  compared  with  £16.0m  in  2023  with  more  performances  in  2024  (77  in the  Festival  compared  with  75  in  2023)  and  2024  titles  inherently  featuring  larger  artistic  forces (orchestra and chorus). 

Including  Creative  Tax  Reliefs  (Theatre  Tax  Relief  and  Orchestra  Tax  Relief)  of  £3.5m  (2023: £3.1m),  2024  delivered  a  net  financial  surplus  of  £3.0m  (2023:  £3.7m).  In  addition,  our investment  portfolio  gained  £5.2m  in  value  (2023:  gains  of  £1.6m),  resulting  in  financial reserves increasing by £8.2m (2023: £5.3m). 

We  progressed  with  a  rolling  capital  programme  to  replace  and  overhaul  areas  of  the  opera house  building  and  infrastructure  due  attention  having  been  maintained  and  serviced  well  for three  decades.  Capital  expenditure  in  2024  totalled  £4.7m  (2023:  £4.3m)  including  upgrades and  replacements  of  orchestra  pit  lifts  and  safety  net,  auditorium  house  lights  and  backstage performance  running  lights  (to  an  energy-efficient  LED  system),  a  radio  system  critical  to  the running  of  shows  and  operation  of  the  building  and  site.  Towards  the  end  of  the  year,  a  major project  commenced  to  rebuild  the  stage  floor  and  redevelop  the  under-stage  level  to  install performer  lifts.  Investments  were  also  made  for  energy  efficiencies  with  the  second  of  three phases to install double-glazed windows across the opera house. 

Cash  and  investments  at  the  year-end  were  £55.4m  (2023:  £49.5m).  Cash  reserves  held  up through  2024  despite  inflationary  pressures  on  our  cost  base  and  continuing  investment  in  the 


11 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

theatre  building  and  infrastructure  and  the  wider  site.  This  was  thanks  largely  to  record audience  numbers  supporting  growth  in  box  office  and  other  audience-driven  income  streams, and strong performance of our investment portfolio. 

The  Glyndebourne  section  of  the  Christie  Pension  and  Life  Assurance  Scheme  continues  to be  in  a  net  surplus  position,  £8.3m  at  31  December  2024  (2023:  £7.8m).  The  surplus  has  not been  recognised  in  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of  FRS  102 regarding recoverability of the pension scheme asset. 

## **Financial outlook** 

The  financial  and  economic  landscape  remains  challenging.  Our  project  spend  continues  to grow, partly through choice and partly due to imposition from external forces. 

We  are  making  choices  to  develop  our  portfolio  of  opera  productions  that  will  meet  audiences’ appetite  for  both  new  experiences  and  revivals  to  come,  by  investing  in  the  creation,  design and  build  of  more  new  productions  going  forward.  We  have  four  planned  for  2025:  two  in  the Festival  and  two  new  commissions  to  premier  in  the  Spring  and  the  Autumn.  From  2026,  we aim to present two or three new Festival productions each year. 

Less  within  our  control  are  factors  putting  accumulated  pressure  on  our  cost  base,  including sustained  high  inflation  in  recent  years,  increases  in  employment  tax  rates  introduced  by  the current  government  from  Spring  2025,  and  urgent  and  ongoing  needs  to  address  the maintenance  and  refurbishment  of  our  technical  infrastructure,  customer  facilities,  and  wider estate. 

Alongside  our  longstanding  budgetary  discipline  around  operating  costs,  we  are  taking  great care  with  how  we  grow  our  income  and  what  we  ask  our  audiences  and  members  to  pay, recognising the importance of sustaining and growing the lifetime value of their support. 

The  support  of  our  existing  audiences,  longstanding  members,  and  donors  remains  vital  for our  success,  as  well  as  the  nurture  of  new  audiences  and  supporters.  We  continue  to  invest for  the  future:  in  productions  and  other  aspects  of  the  Glyndebourne  experience  for  visitors, artists, and staff. 

The  Charity’s  financial  reserves  have  been  carefully  built  up  and  sustained  over  many  years  to afford  rolling  and  major  programmes  of  investment  in  productions  and  the  physical  site.  We  do not believe there to be a risk to our going concern. 

## **Investment Policy** 

Under  the  Articles  of  Association,  the  Trustees  have  delegated  authority  to  the  charity’s investment  managers  to  manage  investments  for  the  Charity  in  accordance  with  the  mandate laid  down  by  the  Trustees.  The  investment  managers  meet  with  and  report  on  a  regular  basis to  the  Audit,  Finance  and  Compliance  Committee.  Managed  funds  at  the  year  end  were valued at £47.7m (2023: £42.7m). 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

As  at  31  December  2024,  £46.0m  was  invested  with  Capital  Group  and  £1.7m  with  Rothschild with the funds spread across the following portfolios: 

|**Capital Group**<br>Long term reserves<br>NGP*<br>Gillian Fane Aspiring Artists<br>Wood Peters<br>**Rothschild**<br>Long term reserves<br>NGP*<br>Wood Peters<br>**Total Investments**|**2024**<br>Market Value<br>£m<br>Performance<br>YTD<br>%<br>34.7<br>12.45<br>6.8<br>12.45<br>3.6<br>12.45<br>0.9<br>7.32<br>1.3<br>18.10<br>0.3<br>18.09<br>0.1<br>18.09<br>**47.7**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
|||Market Value<br>£m<br>Performance<br>YTD<br>%<br>31.0<br>3.77<br>6.1<br>3.77<br>3.2<br>3.77<br>0.9<br>6.27<br>1.12<br>17.03<br>0.25<br>17.02<br>0.08<br>17.01<br>**42.7**|



## _* New Generation Programme_ 

Whilst  the  overall  objective  is  long  term  capital  appreciation,  the  funds  have  been benchmarked  against  inflation  +3.5%  during  the  year,  accepting  that  it  only  makes  sense  to assess  performance  over  long  time  periods  given  that  in  order  to  achieve  this  level  of  return requires  a  high  level  of  equity  exposure  and  risk  of  volatility.  The  long  term  reserves  and  the NGP  and  GFAA  portfolios  invested  with  Capital  Group  are  invested  with  the  objective  of achieving  long  term  growth  of  capital  and  enhancing  the  purchasing  power  of  reserves,  with the  portfolio  having  significant  equity  exposure.  The  fund  appreciated  in  value  by  12.45%  in 2024, with annualised returns of 7.52% over the life of the fund. 

The  Wood  Peters  portfolio  held  with  Capital  Group  is  separately  invested  in  a  high  income growth  fund  with  the  objective  of  generating  an  agreed  level  of  income  annually  to  support funding  requirements  for  cover  artists.  The  fund  predominantly  invests  in  emerging  market government  bonds  and  corporate  high-yield  bonds  globally.  This  fund  appreciated  in  value  by 7.32% in 2024, with annualised returns of 5.73% over the life of the fund. 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The  financial  objective  remains  to  earn  sufficient  income  on  a  3  year  rolling  basis  to  cover expenditure, whilst generating surplus cash sufficient to build up free reserves to ensure: 

- funds  are  available  to  invest  in  maintaining  our  competitive  edge  from  an  audience, artistic  and  staff  perspective  including  capital  requirements  over  the  life  of  the  lease  of the Opera House; 

- the  Charity  continues  to  be  able  to  meet  its  liabilities  as  they  fall  due,  including  those  in respect of the Charity pension scheme; and 

- the  charitable  objectives  can  be  met  on  a  long-term  basis  regardless  of  short-term disruptions  due  to  economic  or  other  unforeseen  circumstances  beyond  the  control  of management. 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

Free  reserves  are  deemed  to  be  those  that  are  readily  realisable,  excluding  funds  whose  uses are  restricted  or  designated  for  particular  purposes.  Such  reserves  exclude  property  and  other fixed  assets  that  will  continue  to  be  used  in  the  day-to-day  running  of  the  Charity.  Reserves preservation  remains  crucial  to  ensure  the  ability  to  continue  to  invest  in  the  Charity,  its physical  assets  and  to  protect  against  the  unpredictable  financial  impact  of  circumstances beyond management control such as changing legislation and external economic factors. 

As  a  matter  of  policy,  each  year  the  Trustees  review  the  value  of  reserves  required  to  be  held in  investments  and  cash  not  restricted  to  any  particular  purpose.  The  Board  considers  the Charity’s  exposure  to  the  risks  of  any  significant  loss  of  income  and  of  unforeseen  expenditure which  cannot  be  mitigated  by  executive  action.  The  degree  of  risk  ascribed  to  each  such  event is assessed. 

The  Charity  sets  a  target  level  of  free  reserves  each  year,  which  is  calculated  on  the  basis  of having  to  fulfil  financial  commitments  and  continue  in  business  in  a  worst  case  scenario uninsurable  event.  This  takes  account  of  the  fact  that  the  Festival  receives  no  public  subsidy and  is  wholly  reliant  on  fundraising  and  box  office  (a  5%  reduction  in  Festival  box  office income  would  reduce  reserves  by  approximately  £1m)  and  the  fact  that  there  is  a  significant lead-time  to  maintain  artistic  standards  (financial  commitments  are  entered  up  to  4  years  in advance  with  the  contracting  of  artists  whilst  the  related  income  is  rarely  committed  more  than a  year  ahead).  The  target  for  2024  was  £15.1m.  Free  reserves  as  at  31  December  2024  were £23.4m  (2023:  £20.7m).  We  expect  this  to  move  towards  the  target  level  as  we  progress  with the planned programme of essential capital investments. 

Reserves as at 31 December: 

|**Endowment Funds**<br>**Restricted Funds**<br>Tangible Fixed Assets<br>40.6<br>Designated funds<br>17.4<br>General reserves<br>**Unrestricted Funds**<br>**Total Group Reserves**|**2024**<br>**£m**<br>1.0<br>10.9<br>37.8<br>15.7<br>23.4<br>81.4<br>**93.3**|**2023**<br>**£m**<br>1.0<br>10.0<br>20.7<br>73.8<br>**85.2**|
|---|---|---|



Financial  budgets  for  2025-2028  support  the  Trustees’  reasonable  expectation  that  the Company  and  the  Group  have  adequate  resources  to  continue  in  operational  existence  for  the foreseeable  future.  Thus  they  continue  to  adopt  the  going  concern  basis  in  preparing  the annual financial statements. 

## **Principal risks and uncertainties** 

The  Board  of  Trustees  recognises  its  responsibility  for  an  overall  strategy  of  risk  management. This strategy comprises: 

- a formal annual review by management of the risks facing the Charity; 

- the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate risks identified; 

- the  implementation  of  procedures  to  minimise  the  potential  impact  on  the  Charity should those risks occur; 

- a programme of review and testing of such procedures; and 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

- formal  reporting  to  the  Board  on  an  annual  basis  of  all  new  risks  identified,  systems and key staff changes and the controls implemented. 

Such  procedures  are  designed  to  provide  reasonable,  but  not  absolute,  assurance  against material  mismanagement  or  loss.  Independent  internal  audit  and  assurance  reviews  of  the management  of  capital  projects,  financial  controls,  and  a  cyber  incident  response  business continuity  exercise  were  carried  out  in  2024.  The  Trustees  believe  that  there  is  a  satisfactory system of well-managed internal controls. 

The  key  specific  risks  for  the  foreseeable  future,  identified  through  this  process,  together  with mitigation plans are shown in the following table: 

|Risk|Mitigations|
|---|---|
|Financial  sustainability:  rising  cost  base<br>and/or  income  growth  not  keeping  pace  with<br>cost increases|●  Discipline of core financial objectives<br>and policies<br>●  Strategy for sustaining and growing<br>lifetime value of existing and new<br>audiences and supporters|
|Cyber security incident|●  Cyber security measures in place<br>following best practice<br>●  Governance, policies, training<br>programme<br>●  Phishing-testing, penetration testing and<br>regular internal audit reviews<br>●  Cyber insurance|
|Site-wide infrastructure: fit for purpose|●  Multi-year refurbishment and capital<br>expenditure programmes<br>●  Monitoring and management of assets<br>and infrastructure|



## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

Glyndebourne  Productions  Limited  is  a  company  limited  by  guarantee  (company  registration no:  00358266)  and  is  registered  as  a  charity  (charity  registration  no:  243877).  It  is  governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, last amended on 27 June 2019. 

Legal  and  administrative  information  set  out  on  pages  24-25  form  part  of  this  report.  The financial  statements  comply  with  current  statutory  requirements,  the  Memorandum  and Articles  of  Association,  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  the  Charities  SORP  (FRS  102).  The Board  monitors  its  governance  practice  against  the  seven  principles  of  the  Charity Governance  Code  and  recommended  practice.  The  Board  adopts  the  best  practice  principles of  the  Code,  proportionately  to  the  Charity’s  circumstances,  and  routinely  challenges themselves  on  areas  for  improvement/  implementation.  The  Code  suggests  that  trustee  tenure should  be  limited  to  nine  years  as  best  practice  and  that  exceptions  should  be  discussed, minuted  and  documented  in  the  Charity’s  annual  report.  Some  members  of  the  GPL  Board  are approaching  or  have  exceeded  the  recommended  limit.  This  has  been  properly  debated  and  is 


15 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

considered  to  remain  appropriate  in  order  to  safeguard  continuity  of  knowledge  and experience of the Charity, complemented by new appointments to the Board. 

## **Board of Trustees** 

The  Board  of  Trustees  is  responsible  for  the  overall  governance  of  the  Charity.  Trustees  are elected  by  the  Board,  based  on  a  fair  recruitment  process  representative  of  GPL  as  an  equal opportunities  employer,  including  meetings  between  prospective  candidates  and  existing members  of  the  Board.  In  accordance  with  the  Articles  of  Association,  the  total  number  may not  be  less  than  four  nor  more  than  ten.  The  induction  process  for  new  Board  members includes  the  provision  of  background  information,  details  of  the  constitution  of  the  Charity  and its  connected  parties,  budgets,  recent  financial  statements,  minutes  of  recent  Board  meetings and  papers  dealing  with  key  current  issues,  plus  the  opportunity  for  meetings  with  key executives.  Effective  partnership  between  the  Trustees  and  the  executive  management continues  to  contribute  significantly  to  the  success  of  the  business.  Board  meetings  were  held on  five  occasions,  in  addition  to  an  Annual  General  Meeting,  throughout  2024.  At  such meetings  Trustees  review  strategy,  operational  performance  and  authorise  operating  plans and  budgets.  Further  strategic  reviews  are  undertaken  as  and  when  required  for  any  other purpose. 

The  Board  delegates  the  exercise  of  certain  powers  in  connection  with  the  management  and administration  of  the  Charity  as  set  out  below.  This  is  controlled  by  regular  reporting  to  the Board, with the delegated authorities being approved by the Board annually. 

## **Audit, Finance and Compliance Committee (AFCC)** 

This  Committee  meets  formally  three  times  a  year,  or  more  often  if  necessary.  Minutes  of these  meetings  are  presented  to  the  Board  of  GPL  for  formal  ratification.  The  Committee  is charged  with  reviewing  the  process  and  effectiveness  of  financial  reporting,  internal  control and  risk  management,  external  and  independent  internal  audits,  and  management  of  the Charity’s  investment  portfolios  via  the  Investment  Committee.  The  Committee  meets  with  the external  auditors  at  least  annually  without  any  members  of  the  Glyndebourne  management  in attendance.  Furthermore,  the  Committee  ensures  that  proper  procedures  are  in  place  to manage  cash  resources  prudently  whilst  maintaining  sufficient  funds  to  meet  daily  cash requirements.  The  Committee  advises  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  the  appropriate  level  of  free reserves and any significant change in investment strategy. 

## **Investment Committee** 

This  Committee  was  established  in  2024  and  is  charged  with  the  Charity’s  investment  policies and  strategies  alongside  review  of  the  performance  of  the  Charity’s  investment  managers. This  Committee  meets  at  least  twice  a  year  and  reports  to  the  AFCC,  with  minutes  of meetings presented to the AFCC and Board of GPL. 

## **Nominations Committee** 

The Nominations Committee is charged with succession planning and Board appointments. 

## **Remuneration Committee** 

The  Remuneration  Committee  meets  formally  at  least  twice  a  year  and  is  charged  with  the review  of  performance  of  the  executive  management  team,  remuneration  and  compensation 


16 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

policy.  Remuneration  is  set  in  line  with  national  economics,  organisational  financial performance and market expectations from benchmarking. 

## **Development Committee** 

This  Committee’s  primary  purposes  cover  broadening  the  range  of  funding  available  to  GPL and  overseeing  the  systems  and  processes  in  place  to  ensure  ethical  fundraising,  following best  practice  and  meeting  all  regulatory  requirements.  This  Committee  meets  four  times  a year. 

## **Directors Group** 

Gus  Christie,  Executive  Chairman,  leads  the  executive  team  responsible  for  the  day-to-day management  of  the  Charity.  During  the  year  the  team  comprised  Richard  Davidson-Houston (Chief  Executive  Officer),  Stephen  Langridge  (Artistic  Director),  Donna  Marsh  (Director  of Operations),  Helen  McCarthy  (Director  of  Development),  Steven  Naylor  (Director  of  Artistic Administration),  Tyler  Stoops  (Director  of  Audience  Development,  to  July  2024),  Laura  Jukes (Interim  Director  of  Audiences,  from  May  2024)  and  Lisa  Wong  (Finance  Director).  The Directors Group reports to the Board of Trustees on a regular basis. 

The  pay  of  the  executive  management  team  is  reviewed  annually  by  the  Remuneration Committee  of  the  Board,  with  occasional  formal  benchmarking  against  other  Arts organisations.  Annual  pay  awards  are  normally  based  on  CPI  and  average  earnings  data,  but the  Remuneration  Committee  has  the  authority  to  award  different  pay  reviews  should  market forces dictate or responsibilities change. 

Our  Governance  structure  continues  to  be  supported  by  an  annual  programme  of  both external and internal independent audit. 

## **Group Structure** 

GPL  has  a  wholly  owned  trading  subsidiary,  Glyndebourne  Enterprises  Limited  (“GEL”).  The business  of  the  subsidiary  comprises  retail,  art  and  gallery,  production  sale  and  hire,  the operation  of  GPL’s  wind  turbine,  commercial  props-making,  as  well  as  being  contracted  by GPL  to  produce  all  of  the  Festival,  Autumn  Season,  community  and  youth  opera  productions each  year.  The  objective  of  the  trading  subsidiary  is  to  raise  funds  to  support  the  charitable activities of its holding company. 

## **Connected Charity** 

Glyndebourne  America  Inc.  (“GA”)  was  established  in  2019  for  the  purpose  of  attracting support  from  people  and  organisations  in  America  who  are  sympathetically  disposed  to  the promotion  of  opera.  Michael  Lynch  (member  of  GPL  Audit,  Finance  and  Compliance Committee)  and  John  Botts  (Honorary  member  of  GPL  Board)  remained  as  Trustees  of  GA throughout the year. 

Total  cash  and  investments  held  by  GA  at  the  year-end  amounted  to  $259k  (2023:  $389k  held by GA). Grants totalling $506k were made to GPL during the year by GA (2023: $503k). 

## **Connected Persons** 

The  relationship  between  GPL  and  the  Christie  family  is  critical  to  the  long  term  financial  and operational  strategy  of  the  Charity.  GPL  was  founded  by  John  Christie,  grandfather  of  Gus 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

## for the year ended 31 December 2024 

Christie,  Executive  Chairman,  in  1934.  Since  that  date  the  Christie  family  -  John,  followed  by his  son,  Sir  George  Christie  and  currently  Gus  Christie  -  have  lived  on  site  in  the  Mansion House  (the  “House”),  which  is  not  an  asset  of  GPL,  and  have  taken  an  active  role  in  the management  and  supervision  of  the  Charity.  This  relationship  with  the  family  is  important  to members,  donors,  staff  and  artists.  The  Christie’s  home,  the  Mansion  House,  is  used  by  GPL to  accommodate  company  members  for  7  months  of  the  year  from  the  start  of  Festival rehearsals  to  the  end  of  the  Autumn  Season  performances  which  therefore  means  the  family have  little  privacy.  Gus  entertains  the  Company  and  donors  on  a  regular  basis  in  the  House and  the  Organ  Room  is  open  to  audiences  on  every  performance  day.  The  gardens  are  open to  opera  audiences  on  performance  days  and  to  Company  members  every  day  of  the  year. There  is  a  formal  agreement  in  place  between  GPL  and  Gus  for  the  sharing  of  running  costs of  the  House.  No  rent  is  charged  to  GPL,  providing  significant  benefit  to  GPL  in  saving  the costs  of  essential  accommodation  for  artists  and  entertaining  space.  The  Opera  House, owned  by  a  Trust  of  which  the  family  and  GPL  are  beneficiaries,  is  let  to  GPL  at  a  peppercorn rent to 2075. 

Gus  Christie  continued  to  be  engaged  by  the  Charity  during  the  year,  and  attended  Board meetings  in  the  capacity  of  a  non-voting  advisory  trustee.  Details  of  transactions  with  the Christie family are set out in Note 19 to the financial statements. 

## **Health, Safety and Safeguarding** 

The  Charity  has  a  comprehensive  health  and  safety  policy  which  is  regularly  reviewed,  and employs  suitably  qualified  individuals  in  the  areas  of  health  and  safety.  Procedures  are managed  and  monitored  by  a  group  of  safety  representatives  from  all  key  departments,  which reports  to  the  Health  and  Safety  Committee,  chaired  by  the  CEO  and  of  which  several  key senior  executives  are  members.  This  committee  meets  regularly  and  management  reports formally to the Board on health and safety matters at least once a year. 

Safeguarding  is  monitored  by  a  Safeguarding  Committee  of  representatives  from  areas  of  the company  working  with  children  and  vulnerable  adults.  This  Committee  is  chaired  by  the Artistic  Director.  There  are  comprehensive  safeguarding  policies  for  children  and  at-risk  adults. All Trustees and executive directors undertake safeguarding training developed by NSPCC. 

Two Trustees are designated to take the lead on all health, safety and safeguarding matters. 

## **Employee Involvement** 

The  Charity  continues  to  be  focussed  on  being  an  organisation  that  employees  enjoy  working for,  where  they  feel  supported  and  developed.  It  operates  an  open  communications  policy, informing  and  seeking  the  views  of  its  employees  through  an  integrated  internal communications  plan  comprising  a  range  of  meeting  forums  available  to  all  staff.  Regular company-wide  staff  meetings  take  place  throughout  the  year.  Regular  meetings  are  held  with the key recognised unions, BECTU and Equity. 

## **Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)** 

We  have  a  structure  in  place  to  support  us  to  create  an  inclusive  and  welcoming  workplace  for all  artists  and  staff  irrespective  of  background  or  identity.  This  structure  comprises  a  Diversity and  Inclusion  (D&I)  Group  made  up  of  a  diverse  group  of  staff  volunteers  plus  three  D&I working  groups  focussing  on  key  areas  -  Artistic;  Audience  &  Communities;  and  Workforce, Leadership  &  Governance.  The  working  groups  report  to  our  Board  and  Directors  quarterly and  each  group  consists  of  key  staff  in  that  area.  Each  working  group  focuses  on  aims, 


18 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

objectives  and  actions  set  out  in  an  annual  action  plan,  which  is  updated  and  approved  by  the Board  along  with  our  D&I  company  policy.  The  Board  has  been  closely  involved  in  setting objectives, communicating with working groups and executive Directors. 

In  2024  we  delivered  a  number  of  talent  programmes  supporting  artists  from underrepresented  backgrounds  and  individuals  that  may  face  different  challenges  to progressing.  We  also  provided  more  development  opportunities  for  children  and  young  people from our local area. 

- We  delivered  a  mentorship  scheme  for  classical  artists  from  African  and  Asian backgrounds  through  our  partnership  with  Pegasus  Opera.  A  week  of  activities  took place  in  June  where  the  mentees  observed  studio,  stage  and  chorus  rehearsals,  a cover  (understudy)  run  and  a  performance  from  backstage.  They  met  with  artists  and various  key  staff  from  different  departments.  The  programme  also  offers  coaching  and preparation for auditions. 

- Glyndebourne  Academy  is  our  flagship  national  vocal  talent  development  programme for  16-26  year-old  singers  who  have  faced  obstacles  to  progressing  their  operatic education.  The  2024  cohort  consisted  of  nine  singers.  Six  of  these  participants  were state-educated,  and  those  from  independent  schools  were  supported  by  bursary  or scholarship. 

- Alex  Ho  and  Lucy  Armstrong,  resident  composers  on  our  Balancing  the  Score  scheme, both  wrote  pieces  for  chamber  music  concerts  performed  by  our  Jerwood  Pit  Perfect players  and  toured  to  rural  venues  across  Sussex.  Lucy  also  composed  a  new  piece for  our  Good  Company  music  in  care  homes  project,  as  well  as  a  song  called Christmas  Magic  that  was  performed  by  over  800  primary  schoolchildren  on Glyndebourne’s  mainstage  in  December,  and  a  further  1,400  children  in  venues  across Sussex. 

- The  Jerwood  Pit  Perfect  programme  saw  seven  young  instrumentalists  join  the Glyndebourne  Sinfonia  for  all  performances  of _La  traviata_ during  the  Autumn  Season, gaining  their  first  professional  operatic  experience  alongside  mentoring  and professional  support.  The  recently-graduated  instrumentalists  also  joined  players  from the  Glyndebourne  Sinfonia  and  soloists  in  a  programme  of  seven  chamber  music recitals.  In  addition,  they  performed  in  and  delivered  workshops  to  five  schools,  and spent a day at the University of Sussex working with a wide range of young musicians. 

- In  the  build-up  to  our  new  community  opera  entitled _Uprising_ in  2025,  we  formed  two community  hubs,  in  Eastbourne  (East  Sussex)  and  Worthing  (West  Sussex),  for  young people  aged  14-19,  with  the  aim  of  providing  opportunities  for  diverse  groups  to experience  high-quality  music  and  arts  activity.  The  sessions  focused  on  celebrating and  encouraging  young  voices  and  empowering  participants  to  respond  creatively  to highlight  their  concerns  about  climate  change.  With  the  support  of  our  delivery  partner, The  Human  Hive,  in  total  over  100  young  people  attended  workshops  in  which  they explored  what  it’s  like  to  be  in  an  opera  ensemble  and  discover  how  opera  and  its cumulative  art  forms  can  be  used  to  talk  about  the  changes  we  want  to  see  in  the world today. 

We  worked  across  the  year  to  build  closer  connections  with  diverse  audiences  and communities. This included building on our new Autumn Season. 

- Throughout  the  Autumn  Season  we  delivered  a  range  of  projects  to  engage  people  of all  ages  and  backgrounds.  Members  of  the  Glyndebourne  Sinfonia  and  Chorus  visited care  homes  across  Sussex  for  interactive  performances  with  residents  as  part  of  our Good  Company  project.  In  total  we  performed  in  12  care  homes  across  Sussex  and 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

reached  334  people  through  the  project.  312  amateur  singers  participated  in  two masterclasses  in  our  theatre  –  one  on  Tippett’s _A  Child  of  Our  Time_ and  another  on Vivaldi’s _Gloria_ .  Members  of  the  Glyndebourne  Chorus  sang  alongside  participants while  our  Chorus  Director,  Aidian  Oliver,  led  each  masterclass.  Also  during  the  autumn, musicians  on  the  Jerwood  Pit  Perfect  development  scheme  performed  concerts  in educational  settings  and  in  local  community  venues  in  partnership  with  Applause  Rural Touring.  The  programme  included  visits  to  five  schools,  a  day  at  the  University  of Sussex  featuring  a  concert,  masterclasses  and  a  side-by-side  rehearsal  with  the University  Symphony  Orchestra,  performances  in  five  rural  community  venues,  plus two concerts at Glyndebourne. 

- We  reached  5,596  children  through  our  performance  for  schools  and  singing  projects during  the  Autumn  Season.  98%  of  students  were  from  state,  academy,  special schools  or  other  alternative  education  providers.  157  schools  engaged  from  across Sussex.  59  groups  from  across  Sussex  attended  our  dedicated  performances  for schools  of _Il  turco  in  Italia_ during  the  autumn.  76%  of  children  attending  school  matinee performances  had  never  seen  an  opera  before.  4,236  concessions  (13%)  were  sold  for the Autumn Season of which over 3,000 of these were child tickets. 

We  continued  to  develop  plans  that  ensure  we  create  an  inclusive  and  welcoming  workplace for  all.  Our  aim  is  to  ensure  company  members  recognise  and  celebrate  Glyndebourne  as  a diverse  and  inclusive  workplace.  To  support  this  we  strive  to  gain  a  clear  understanding  from those  who  work  at  Glyndebourne  of  whether  they  believe  Glyndebourne  to  be  diverse  and inclusive.  We  also  ensure  we  reiterate  Glyndebourne’s  commitment  to  diversity  and  inclusion during  inductions  for  new  staff  throughout  the  year  and  include  information  and  updates  in each  Company  meeting.  We  provided  regular  training  opportunities  and  workshops  for  staff. This included menopause, neurodiversity and trans awareness workshops. 

Our  Diversity  &  Inclusion  group  meets  regularly  throughout  the  year,  which  includes  planning engagement  with  external  stakeholders  around  diversity  and  inclusion.  In  2024  this  focused  on communications  and  activities  around  dementia  awareness,  Brighton  Pride  and  Black  History Month. 

We  deliver  activities  to  support  young  people  to  discover  and  explore  careers  within  opera  and the  arts.  In  2024  we  worked  with  East  Sussex  Careers  Hub  and  their  Open  Doors  programme. Over  one  week,  school  groups  enjoyed  visits  to  Glyndebourne  where  they  were  taken  on  a tour  of  the  site  and  backstage  areas,  culminating  in  Q&A  sessions  with  staff.  Through  Open Doors  we  worked  with  pupils  and  schools  from  lower  socio-economic  backgrounds,  based  on Pupil  Premium  and  Free  School  Meal  rates.  179  young  people  from  mainstream  state  and SEND  schools,  plus  other  alternative  education  settings,  took  part  in  the  programme.  100%  of teachers  and  support  staff  strongly  agreed  (86%)  or  agreed  (14%)  that  the  visit  was  really engaging  for  students.  In  addition  to  this,  we  also  continued  to  deliver  work  experience  and apprenticeship positions across the organisation. 

## **Disabled persons** 

We  are  a  Disability  Confident  accredited  employer  and  actively  encourage  applications  from disabled  candidates  as  part  of  our  recruitment  policies.  Where  such  candidates  meet  the minimum  criteria  for  the  role,  they  are  shortlisted  for  interview.  The  physical  features  of  our premises  are  monitored  to  assess  whether  they  place  disabled  workers,  job  applicants  or project  participants  at  a  substantial  disadvantage  compared  to  others.  Where  reasonable,  we take  steps  to  improve  access  for  disabled  company  members.  All  staff,  regardless  of  any 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

## for the year ended 31 December 2024 

disability,  are  given  appropriate  access  to  training  to  enable  them  to  progress  within  the organisation. 

## **Training and Development** 

The  Charity  is  committed  to  the  training  and  development  of  all  employees.  Training programmes  are  provided  to  meet  any  ongoing  needs,  with  the  aim  of  developing  employees for  both  their  current  and  future  roles.  We  have  continued  to  run  trans  awareness  workshops run  by  Mind  Out,  a  local  LBGTQ  mental  health  charity,  have  run  a  number  of  menopause awareness  workshops  and  have  run  a  series  of  neurodiversity  training  courses  led  by  our legal  provider  and  a  local  charity  in  collaboration.  For  all  of  these  courses  we  have  continued to  run  the  foundation  level  and  built  on  them  with  an  advanced  level.  We  are  in  the  initial stages  of  rolling  out  a  mandatory  training  programme  which  will  be  renewed  on  an  ongoing basis.  The  training  covers  harassment,  action  counter  terrorism,  cyber  security,  health  and safety,  safeguarding,  GDPR  and  anti  money  laundering.  These  courses  are  a  combination  of e-learning  and  face  to  face.  We  are  further  down  the  line  in  developing  a  Management Competency  Framework  to  support  more  consistent  management.  This  has  been  supported by  an  external  consultant  and  now  continues  to  be  developed  by  an  internal  steering  group. The process has involved gaining input from around twenty percent of the organisation. 

## **Statement of compliance with s172(1) Companies Act 2006** 

The  Board  of  Trustees  consider  that  they  have  acted  in  the  way  they  consider,  in  good  faith, would  be  most  likely  to  promote  the  success  of  the  charitable  company  for  the  benefit  of  the company  as  a  whole  and  in  doing  so  have  had  regard  to  the  following  matters  set  out  in s172(1)(a-f) in Companies Act 2006: 

- _The  likely  consequences  of  any  decision  in  the  long  term_ -  Our  artistic  programme  is planned,  alongside  financial  budgets,  up  to  four  years  in  advance.  Our  core  financial objectives,  alongside  robust  investment  and  reserves  policies,  keep  our  goal  of maintaining  financial  independence  in  sight  at  all  times  and  in  support  of  the  objective  and ability  to  create  world-class  opera,  now  and  in  the  future.  A  programme  of  risk management  is  in  place  to  identify  and  respond  to  potential  and  actual  risks  to  these goals.  Further  details  of  our  financial  and  risk  management  policies  are  set  out  in  the Financial Review on pages 11-14. 

- _The  interests  of  the  company’s  employees_ -  Our  staff  are  fundamental  to  the  delivery  of our  plan.  We  are  committed  to  ensuring  every  member  of  staff  feels  engaged  and empowered  in  their  role.  The  health,  safety  and  well-being  of  our  employees  are  primary considerations  in  the  way  we  deliver  our  objectives.  See  pages  7-8  for  further  information on  how  we  deliver  one  of  our  key  objectives,  to  create  a  stimulating  and  inspirational environment for all, and pages 18-21 for further details of employee engagement. 

- _The  need  to  foster  the  company’s  business  relationships  with  suppliers,  customers  and others_ -  Our  fundraising  policies  and  practices  are  robust  and  best  practice,  lending themselves  to  respectful  and  transparent  engagement  with  our  members  and  donors  (see pages  5-6).  We  aim  to  be  an  inclusive  organisation  that  offers  equality  of  opportunity  to all;  this  policy  extends  to  our  relationships  with  our  existing,  future  and  potential employees,  artists  and  audiences,  suppliers,  supporters  and  partners  (pages  18-20  for further details of our work on D&I). 


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Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 

- _The  impact  of  the  company’s  operations  on  the  community  and  the  environment_ –  Our year-round  Learning  &  Engagement  programme  is  a  major  area  of  activity,  creating opportunities  for  groups  which  may  otherwise  experience  barriers  to  accessing  opera  (see pages  19-20).  We  are  a  major  employer  in  East  Sussex,  creating  employment  and business  opportunities  for  many  individuals,  artists  and  local  businesses.  The  Charity’s wind  turbine  enables  us  to  be  a  net  contributor  of  electricity  supply  to  the  National  Grid  in an environmentally sustainable way. Our Environmental report is laid out on pages 8-11. 

- _The  desirability  of  the  company  maintaining  a  reputation  for  high  standards  of  business conduct  –_ This  is  paramount  for  the  success  of  the  four  cornerstones  of  our  strategy.  Our culture  and  values  are  lived  through  our  organisational  and  business  policies  and  in  how these are applied in day-to-day practice. 

- _The  need  to  act  fairly  as  between  members  of  the  company_ –  Registers  of  interests  in other  companies,  charities  and  businesses  are  maintained  for  members  of  the  Board  and executive  management,  and  are  formally  reviewed  and  updated  on  an  annual  basis. Where conflicts of interest arise, they are declared at the start of each Board meeting. 

## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities** 

The  Trustees  (who  are  also  directors  of  Glyndebourne  Productions  Limited  for  the  purposes  of company  law)  are  responsible  for  preparing  the  Trustees’  Annual  Report  and  the  financial statements  in  accordance  with  applicable  law  and  United  Kingdom  Generally  Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards). 

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  charitable  company  and the  group  and  of  the  incoming  resources  and  application  of  resources,  including  the  income and  expenditure,  of  the  charitable  group  for  that  period.  In  preparing  these  financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

●  select suitable accounting policies and then  apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities  SORP; 

- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable  and prudent; 

- state  whether  applicable  UK  accounting  standards  have  been  followed,  subject  to  any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. 

The  Trustees  are  responsible  for  keeping  adequate  accounting  records  that  are  sufficient  to show  and  explain  the  charitable  company’s  transactions,  disclose  with  reasonable  accuracy  at any  time  the  financial  position  of  the  charitable  company  and  enable  them  to  ensure  that  the financial  statements  comply  with  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  the  provisions  of  the  charity’s constitution.  They  are  also  responsible  for  safeguarding  the  assets  of  the  charity  and  the group  and  hence  for  taking  reasonable  steps  for  the  prevention  and  detection  of  fraud  and other irregularities. 


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## Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Report and Financial Statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2024 

The Trustees confirm that: 

- so  far  as  each  Trustee  is  aware,  there  is  no  relevant  audit  information  of  which  the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and 

- the  Trustees  have  taken  all  the  steps  that  they  ought  to  have  taken  as  Trustees  in order  to  make  themselves  aware  of  any  relevant  audit  information  and  to  establish  that the charitable company’s auditor is aware of that information. 



23 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Legal and Administrative Information 

## **Trustees** 

The  Trustees  of  the  Charitable  Company  are  also  its  Directors  for  the  purpose  of  Company law. Throughout this report they are collectively referred to as Trustees. 

Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE (Chair) Jolyon Barker Karthi Gnanasegaram Sarah Hopwood Alina Kessel Dr Anna Mallett Gautam Rangarajan Victoria Robey CBE Christopher Walter Helen Ward 

John Botts CBE (Honorary Board member from 26 June 2024) 

Gus  Christie,  Executive  Chairman,  attends  Board  meetings  in  the  capacity  of  a  non-voting advisory trustee. 

## **Audit and Finance Committee** 

Jolyon Barker (Chair) John Botts CBE Sarah Hopwood Michael Lynch Christopher Walter 

## **Investment Committee** 

Jolyon Barker (Chair) John Botts CBE Edward Clive Michael Lynch Maxim Parr 

## **Nominations Committee** 

Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE (Chair) Jolyon Barker Helen Ward 

## **Remuneration Committee** 

Alina Kessel (Chair) Jolyon Barker John Botts CBE Christopher Walter 

## **Development Committee** 

Helen Ward (Chair) Lord Davies of Abersoch CBE John Botts CBE 


24 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

## Legal and Administrative Information 

## **Directors Group** 

Gus Christie – Executive Chairman Stephen Langridge – Artistic Director 

Richard Davidson-Houston – Chief Executive Officer Sam Garner-Gibbons - Technical and Production Director Laura Jukes - Director of Audiences 

Helen McCarthy – Director of Development Donna Marsh – Operations Director Steven Naylor – Director of Artistic Administration Lisa Wong – Finance Director 

## **Registered Office and Principal Office** 

Glyndebourne Lewes East Sussex BN8 5UU 

## **Company Secretary** 

Lisa Wong 

## **Professional Advisers** 

|Statutory|Crowe U.K. LLP|
|---|---|
|Auditors|Chartered Accountants|
||55 Ludgate Hill|
||London EC4M 7JW|
|Bankers|Lloyds TSB plc|
||25 Gresham Street|
||London EC2V 7HN|
|Investment|Capital Group|
|Managers|1 Paddington Square|
||London|
||W2 1DL|
||Rothschild Wealth Management UK Ltd|
||New Court|
||St Swithin’s Lane|
||London EC4N 8AL|
|Solicitors|Covington & Burling LLP|
||22 Bishopsgate|
||London EC2N 4BQ|




25 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

## **Opinion** 

We  have  audited  the  financial  statements  of  Glyndebourne  Productions  Limited  (‘the charitable  company’)  and  its  subsidiary  (‘the  group’)  for  the  year  ended  31  December  2024 which  comprise  of  the  Consolidated  Statement  of  Financial  Activities,  the  Consolidated  and Charity  Balance  Sheets,  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: 

- give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  state  of  the  group’s  and  the  charitable  company’s  affairs as  at  31  December  2024  and  of  the  group’s  incoming  resources  and  application  of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; 

- have  been  properly  prepared  in  accordance  with  United  Kingdom  Generally  Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements  of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing  (UK)  (ISAs (UK))  and  applicable  law.  Our  responsibilities  under  those  standards  are  further  described  in the  Auditor’s  responsibilities  for  the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  section  of  our  report.  We are  independent  of  the  charitable  company  and  the  group  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  trustee's  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  charitable  company's  or  the  group’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  trustees  are  responsible  for  the  other  information  contained  within  the  annual  report.  The other  information  comprises  the  information  included  in  the  annual  report,  other  than  the financial  statements  and  our  auditor’s  report  thereon.  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. 

26 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

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  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. 

## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

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

- the  information  given  in  the  trustees’  report,  which  includes  the  directors’  report  and the  strategic  report  prepared  for  the  purposes  of  company  law,  for  the  financial  year  for which  the  financial  statements  are  prepared  is  consistent  with  the  financial  statements; and 

- the  strategic  report  and  the  directors’  report  included  within  the  trustees’  report  have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In  light  of  the  knowledge  and  understanding  of  the  group  and  charitable  company  and  their environment  obtained  in  the  course  of  the  audit,  we  have  not  identified  material  misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report included within the trustees’ 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: 

- adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept; or 

- the  financial  statements  are  not  in  agreement  with  the  accounting  records  and  returns; or 

- certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

## **Responsibilities of trustees** 

As  explained  more  fully  in  the  trustees’  responsibilities  statement  set  out  on  pages  22-23,  the trustees  (who  are  also  the  directors  of  the  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  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  charitable  company  or  to  cease  operations,  or  have  no  realistic alternative but to do so. 

27 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited (Limited by guarantee) 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

We  have  been  appointed  as  auditor  under  the  Companies  Act  2006  and  report  in  accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 

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

Details  of  the  extent  to  which  the  audit  was  considered  capable  of  detecting  irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, are set out below. 

A  further  description  of  our  responsibilities  for  the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  is  located on  the  Financial  Reporting  Council’s  website  at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities .  This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

## **Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud** 

Irregularities,  including  fraud,  are  instances  of  non-compliance  with  laws  and  regulations.  We identified  and  assessed  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the  financial  statements  from irregularities,  whether  due  to  fraud  or  error,  and  discussed  these  between  our  audit  team members  including  internal  specialists.  We  then  designed  and  performed  audit  procedures responsive  to  those  risks,  including  obtaining  audit  evidence  sufficient  and  appropriate  to provide a basis for our opinion. 

We  obtained  an  understanding  of  the  legal  and  regulatory  frameworks  within  which  the charitable  company  and  group  operates,  focusing  on  those  laws  and  regulations  that  have  a direct  effect  on  the  determination  of  material  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial statements.  The  laws  and  regulations  we  considered  in  this  context  were  the  Companies  Act 2006  together  with  the  Charities  SORP  (FRS102).  We  assessed  the  required  compliance  with these  laws  and  regulations  as  part  of  our  audit  procedures  on  the  related  financial  statement items. 

In  addition,  we  considered  provisions  of  other  laws  and  regulations  that  do  not  have  a  direct effect  on  the  financial  statements  but  compliance  with  which  might  be  fundamental  to  the charitable  company’s  and  the  group’s  ability  to  operate  or  to  avoid  a  material  penalty.  We  also considered  the  opportunities  and  incentives  that  may  exist  within  the  charitable  company  and the  group  for  fraud.  The  laws  and  regulations  we  considered  in  this  context  for  the  UK operations  were  General  Data  Protection  Regulation  (GDPR)  and  Health  and  Safety legislation. 

Auditing  standards  limit  the  required  audit  procedures  to  identify  non-compliance  with  these laws  and  regulations  to  enquiry  of  the  Trustees  and  other  management  and  inspection  of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. 

We  identified  the  greatest  risk  of  material  impact  on  the  financial  statements  from irregularities,  including  fraud,  to  be  within  the  timing  of  recognition  of  legacy  income,  theatre 

28 



Glyndebourne Productions Limited
ILimited by guarantee)
Independent Auditor's ReFKIrt
tax relief ncome and the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to
respond to Ihese risks ncluded enquiries of management, ntemal audit and the Audit,
Finance & Compliance Committee about their own Klentification and assessment of the risks
of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of pumals, reviewing accounting estimates for
biases, reviewing regulatory correspondence with the Charity Commission. reviewing of
ternal audit reports and reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
Owing to the iiherent Imitations of an audit. there s an unavoidable risk that we may not have
detected some material misstatements n the financial statements, even though we have
propedy planned and performed our audit n accordance with auditing standards. For
example, the further removed non-compliance with kws and regulations (irregularities) i8 from
the events and transactions reflected n the financial statements. the kss likely the inherently
limited procedures required by auditing standards would Klentify i(. In addition, as with any
audit, there remained a higher risk of non4etection of rregularities, as these may involve
collusion, forgery, intentional omissions. misrepresentations. or the override of intemal
controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to
detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
Use of our report
This report B made solely to the charitable companys members, as a body, n 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 companys members those matters we are required to
state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent pemiitted 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 fomied.
Naziar Hashemi
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of
Crowe U.K. LLP
Statutory Auditor
London
Date:
23 June 2025
29

## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Unrestricted  Restricted Endowment Total Total<br> Note Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023<br>£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000<br>Income from:<br>Donations, legacies and grants  7,098 2,744 0 9,842 9,816<br>Charitable Activities:-<br>- Operation of Festival, Autumn programme<br>Learning & Engagement, and Media Development 25,800 0 0 25,800 22,272<br>Other trading activities<br>- Commercial trading operations 1,421 0 0 1,421 1,352<br>Investment income 566 79 60 705 367<br>Other income 639 0 0 639 0<br>Total income before Theatre Tax Relief 4 35,524 2,823 60 38,407 33,807<br>Theatre Tax Relief 7 3,535 0 0 3,535 3,095<br>Total income 39,059 2,823 60 41,942 36,902<br>Expenditure on:<br>Costs of raising funds:-<br>- Fundraising costs 918 0 0 918 885<br>- Investment management fees 177 52 4 233 198<br>- Commercial trading operations 897 0 0 897 737<br>Charitable activities:-<br>- Operation of Festival, Autumn programme<br>Learning & Engagement, and Media Development 33,834 3,049 0 36,883 31,415<br>Total expenditure  5 35,826 3,101 4 38,931 33,235<br>3,233 -278 56 3,011 3,667<br>Net gains on investments 10 4,051 1,127 18 5,196 1,639<br>Net income 7,284 849 74 8,207 5,306<br>Transfers between funds 17 -52 122 -70 0 0<br>Net income after transfers 7,232 971 4 8,207 5,306<br>Other recognised gains and losses<br>Actuarial gain on the defined<br> benefit pension scheme  18 - - - 0 0<br>Net movement in funds  7,232 971 4 8,207 5,306<br>Reconciliation of funds<br>Fund balances at 1st January 74,173 9,959 1,018 85,150 79,844<br>Fund Balances at 31st December 81,405 10,930 1,022 93,357 85,150<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The detailed 2023 comparative statement of financial activities is reported in note 3. 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page: 30 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **BALANCE SHEETS AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## **COMPANY NUMBER 00358266** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
2024 2023 2024 2023<br>Note Group Group Charity Charity<br>£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000<br>Fixed Assets:<br>Tangible assets 9 40,610 37,771 40,564 37,719<br>Investments 10 47,694 42,692 47,694 42,692<br>Total Fixed Assets 88,304 80,463 88,258 80,411<br>Current Assets:<br>Stocks 11 95 73 0 0<br>Debtors 12 5,480 4,611 2,485 2,077<br>Cash at bank and in hand 7,706 6,837 6,605 6,022<br>Total current assets 13,281 11,521 9,090 8,099<br>Liabilities:<br>Creditors: Amounts falling<br> due within one year 13 -8,062 -6,592 -7,859 -6,510<br>Net current assets/(liabilities) 5,219 4,929 1,231 1,590<br>Total assets less current liabilities 93,523 85,392 89,489 82,002<br>Creditors: Amounts falling<br> due after more than one year 14 -166 -242 -166 -242<br>Net assets excluding pension<br> scheme liability 93,357 85,150 89,323 81,758<br>Defined benefit pension<br> scheme liability 18 0 0 0 0<br>Total net assets 93,357 85,150 89,323 81,758<br>Funds:<br>Endowment funds 17 1,022 1,018 1,022 1,018<br>Restricted funds 17 10,930 9,959 10,930 9,959<br>Unrestricted funds 17 81,405 74,173 77,371 70,781<br>Total funds 93,357 85,150 89,323 81,758<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The net income for the financial year for the parent charity was £7,565k (2023: £4,824k) 

The financial statements were approved on behalf of the Board of Directors on 19 June 2025. 


Lord Davies of Abersoch – Director 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page: 31 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
2024 2023<br>£'000 £'000 £'000<br>Net cash provided by operating activities 1,827 1,927<br>Taxation received 3,048 3,051<br>4,875 4,978<br>Cash flows from investing activities<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets -4,702 -4,285<br>Proceeds from disposal of tangible assets 26 1<br>Purchase of fixed asset investments -34 0<br>Proceeds from disposal of fixed asset investments 0 0<br>Interest received  566 246<br>Dividends 139 121<br>Net cash from investing activities -4,005 -3,917<br>Cash flows from financing activities<br>Bank borrowing acquired 0 0<br>Repayments of loan capital 0 -3,500<br>Net cash from financing activities 0 -3,500<br>Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 870 -2,439<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 6,838 9,277<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 7,708 2 6,838<br>Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operation activities<br>2024 2023<br>£'000 £'000<br>Net movement in funds for the reporting period (as per the Statement of<br>8,207 5,306<br>Financial Activities)<br>Adjusted for:<br>Theatre Tax Credits -3,535 -3,095<br>Losses/(gains) on investments -5,196 -1,639<br>Interest received -566 -246<br>Dividends received -139 -121<br>Depreciation charges 1,697 1,593<br>Investment fees charged to fund 233 194<br>(Profit)/Loss on disposal of fixed assets 136 -2<br>Pension adjustment 0 0<br>Decrease/(Increase) in stock -22 -33<br>Decrease/(Increase) in debtors -382 172<br>Increase/(Decrease) in creditors 1,394 -205<br>Net cash provided by operating activities 1,827 1,927<br>Cash and cash equivalents consists of:<br>Cash at bank and in hand 7,706 6,837<br>Cash held by stockbrokers 2 1<br>7,708 6,838<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The notes form part of these financial statements 

Page: 32 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## **1 CHARITY INFORMATION** 

Glyndebourne Productions Limited is a company limited by Guarantee (registered number 00358266), which is a public benefit entity and registered as a Charity in England and Wales (charity number 243877) and domiciled in the UK. The address of the registered office is Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 5UU. 

## **2 ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are summarised below. 

## **a. Basis of accounting** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 

Glyndebourne Productions Limited 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 note. The principal accounting policies, as set out below, have all been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year. 

## **b. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** 

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

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

In the view of the Trustees the most significant accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty that affect items in the financial statements are those pertaining to Theatre Tax Relief - see (k). The only other significant estimations are those linked to the allocation of support costs. Allocations of this nature inherently require estimation. Note 5 provides more information on the allocation methodology. 

## **c. Group financial statements** 

The financial statements consolidate the results of the Charity and its wholly owned subsidiary, Glyndebourne Enterprises Limited, on a line by line basis. A separate Statement of Financial Activities for the Charity itself is not presented as permitted by the exemption under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The Charity has also taken advantage of the exemptions under FRS 102 from the requirements to present a Charity only cash flow statement and certain disclosures about the Charity’s financial instruments. 

Page: 33 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## **d. Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis** 

The Board of Trustees has reviewed the financial position of the Group and the Charitable Company and believes there are sufficient resources to manage any operational or financial risks. Having considered financial forecasts for 2025-28, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Therefore the Board continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual financial statements. 

## **e. Income** 

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

Income is deferred to future accounting periods where the conditions for recognising the income have not been met. Deferred income includes box office receipts and membership subscriptions in respect of the following year’s Festival. 

Box office income consists of ticket sales and is recognised on the night of the performance. 

Income from fundraising, donations and grants, including capital and government grants, is included in income when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Where the donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in income until the pre-conditions for use have been met. Similarly, where donors specify that the funds must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods. 

For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the estate accounts being approved or cash received. 

Media development income is recognised when receivable and co-production income is recognised in the year the production is staged. 

## **f. Interest receivable** 

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank. 

Page: 34 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## **g. Fund accounting** 

The charity maintains various funds in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). These funds, which require separate disclosure, are as follows:- 

**Unrestricted Funds** - These are the general funds of the charity and are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the charitable objectives. The main sources of general funds are from ticket sales, unrestricted fundraising, sundry sales and income from the investment of general funds. The main applications of general funds are the production of opera for the Festival and Autumn programme and the overhead costs associated with these. 

**Designated Funds** - These are funds set aside by the Trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects. 

**Restricted Funds** - These are funds which are subject to specific objects declared by the donor or which are raised by appeal for a specific purpose. These funds are expendable by the Trustees in furtherance of the specific object for which they were given unless the donor later agrees that they can be applied for a general purpose. Due to the nature of these funds they are accounted for separately from the general funds of the charity. 

**Endowment Funds** – These are funds to be held permanently, or for a pre-agreed period of time, although their constituent assets may change from time to time, and they are also subject to specific restrictions imposed by the donor on their use. 

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. 

## **h. Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Certain expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and has been included in those cost categories. The main categories of expenditure comprise: 

- Charitable activities: direct costs of the Festival, Tour, Learning & Engagement and Media Development. 

- Costs of raising funds: salaries and other direct costs relating to the fundraising and membership department, investment management fees and the costs of the trading subsidiary, Glyndebourne Enterprises Limited. 

Support costs are allocated to the above categories based on the proportion of staff involved in each activity and the space used and irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. 

Production costs are written off in the year in which they are incurred except where they relate to productions to be performed in future years. These are deferred to the extent that the Trustees consider they are recoverable in subsequent accounting years. 

Page: 35 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## **i. Termination benefits** 

Termination benefits are employee benefits provided in exchange for the termination of an employee's employment. The liability and expense for termination benefits is recognised at the point when the offer of those benefits can no longer be withdrawn. 

## **j. Foreign currencies** 

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date. The resulting exchange gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. 

## **k. Theatre Tax Relief** 

Glyndebourne Productions Limited and Glyndebourne Enterprises Limited have entered legal agreements in respect of each production to be performed from 2015 whereby Glyndebourne Productions Limited commissions Glyndebourne Enterprises Limited to produce the operas and Glyndebourne Enterprises Limited in turn has contracted Glyndebourne Productions Limited to provide appropriate resources and skills to enter into the relevant third party contracts. 

The income and expenditure resulting from these contracts will be recognised on the first night of each production. All costs relating to operas to be performed in future accounting periods have been included within prepayments. 

Theatre Tax Relief is recognised at the amount expected to be recovered based on qualifying expenditure incurred and the rates of relief that have been enacted at the balance sheet date. 

## **l. Tangible Fixed Assets** 

Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised. Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, other than paintings, at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a straight line basis over its expected useful economic life, as follows: 

- Freehold property                                              2% per annum Opera House complex, comprising: - Leasehold buildings                                        over the period of the original lease to 2050 - Wind Turbine                                                10% per annum 

- Plant, machinery, fixtures and fittings              between 5% and 20% per annum 

Plant and Equipment                                         20% per annum 

Paintings are not depreciated but held at historic cost and assessed for impairment annually. 

Assets under the course of construction are not depreciated until they become available for productive use. 

## **m. Stock** 

Stock is included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. 

Page: 36 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## **n. Financial Instruments** 

Glyndebourne Productions Limited 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 amortised cost. Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash and bank in hand, trade debtors and other debtors. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise trade creditors, other creditors, loans payable and accruals. Loan interest payments covered by UK Government are recognised as finance costs with equal and corresponding amounts recorded as government grants. 

Investments are held at fair value at the balance sheet date, with gains and losses being recognised within income and expenditure. Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost less impairment. 

## **o. Contribution to pension fund** 

The Company participates in a Mastertrust scheme with the People’s Pension in accordance with meeting auto enrolment responsibilities. 

No contributions have been made to the Christie Pension & Life Assurance Scheme since the closure of the scheme to future accrual as at 31 December 2022. Contributions to the People’s Pension are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as they become payable. The assets of the Christie Pension & Life Assurance Scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company and its subsidiary. 

The actuarial loss on the defined benefit section for the year is disclosed under other recognised gains and losses in the Statement of Financial Activities. The current service costs and financial charge are included within the costs of operations. These movements are analysed in detail in note 18. 

The pension surplus/liability forms part of the unrestricted funds. 

## **p. Operating leases** 

Rentals under operating leases are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 

Page: 37 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 3 **DETAILED COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

|**Income from:**<br>Donations, legacies and grants<br>Charitable Activities:-<br>- Operation of Festival, Tour, Learning &<br>Engagement, and Media Development<br>Other trading activities<br>- Commercial trading operations<br>Investment income<br>Other income<br>**Total income before Theatre Tax Reli**<br>4<br>Theatre Tax Relief<br>7<br>Total income<br>Expenditure on:<br>Costs of raising funds:-<br>- Fundraising costs<br>- Investment management fees<br>- Commercial trading operations<br>Charitable activities:-<br>- Operation of Festival, Tour, Learning &<br>Engagement and Media Development<br>Total expenditure<br>5<br>Net gains on investments<br>10<br>Net income<br>Transfers between funds<br>16<br>Net income/(expenditure) after transfers<br>Other recognised gains and losses<br>Actuarial gain on the defined<br>benefit pension scheme<br>17<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>**Fund balances at 1st January**<br>**Fund Balances at 31st December**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£'000**<br>7,047<br>22,272<br>1,352<br>246<br>0<br>30,917<br>3,095<br>34,012<br>885<br>165<br>737<br>28,406<br>30,193<br>3,819<br>1,310<br>5,129<br>0<br>5,129<br>-<br>5,129<br>69,044<br>74,173|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£'000**<br>2,769<br>0<br>0<br>66<br>0<br>2,835<br>0<br>2,835<br>0<br>29<br>0<br>3,009<br>3,038<br>-203<br>321<br>118<br>65<br>183<br>-<br>183<br>9,776<br>9,959|**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**£'000**<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>55<br>0<br>55<br>0<br>55<br>0<br>4<br>0<br>0<br>4<br>51<br>8<br>59<br>-65<br>-6<br>-<br>-6<br>1,024<br>1,018|**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£'000**<br>9,816<br>22,272<br>1,352<br>367<br>0<br>33,807<br>3,095<br>36,902<br>885<br>198<br>737<br>31,415<br>33,235<br>3,667<br>1,639<br>5,306<br>0<br>5,306<br>0<br>5,306<br>79,844<br>85,150|
|---|---|---|---|---|



Page: 38 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 4 **INCOME** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£'000**<br>**Income from donations, legacies and grants**<br>Legacies *<br>1,112<br>Donations<br>3,131<br>Memberships<br>2,855<br>Government grants<br>0<br>Arts Council England grant<br>0<br>7,098<br>**Income from charitable activities**<br>Box Office<br>20,111<br>Programme book **<br>183<br>Catering<br>4,634<br>Media Development<br>97<br>Other Sundry Income<br>775<br>25,800<br>**Income from trading activities**<br>Archive<br>2<br>Wind Turbine<br>356<br>Production sale and hire<br>185<br>Retail and Art **<br>783<br>Commercial props-making<br>95<br>1,421<br>566<br>0<br>566<br>**Other income**<br>639<br>**Total income**<br>35,524<br>**Income from investments**<br>Interest income<br>Dividend income|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£'000**<br>50<br>1,894<br>0<br>0<br>800<br>2,744<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>79<br>79<br>0<br>2,823|**Endowment**<br>**Funds**<br>**£'000**<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>60<br>60<br>0<br>60|**2024**<br>**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**1,162**<br>**5,025**<br>**2,855**<br>**0**<br>**800**<br>**9,842**<br>**20,111**<br>**183**<br>**4,634**<br>**97**<br>**775**<br>**25,800**<br>**2**<br>**356**<br>**185**<br>**783**<br>**95**<br>**1,421**<br>**566**<br>**139**<br>**705**<br>**639**<br>**38,407**|2023<br>Total<br>£'000<br>569<br>5,155<br>3,292<br>0<br>800<br>9,816<br>17,789<br>151<br>3,800<br>71<br>461<br>22,272<br>2<br>381<br>276<br>661<br>32<br>1,352<br>246<br>121<br>367<br>0<br>33,807|
|---|---|---|---|---|



* In addition to the legacy income recognised in the financial statements, the Charity has received notification of a number of wills in which the Charity has been named as a beneficiary but where the conditions for recognition of the income have not yet been fulfilled. Where there is sufficient information to quantify the value of such legacies, this pipeline is estimated at £1,365k as at 31 December 2024 (2023: £1,583k). 

** £116k of programme books were sold in the Glyndebourne Shop and therefore are included in Retail and Art income. 

Page: 39 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
5 EXPENDITURE<br>2024 2023<br>Charitable activities Total Total<br>Operation of Festival, Autumn programme, Learning £'000 £'000<br>  & Engagement and Media Development:-<br>Artistic costs 10,163 8,678<br>Technical and production 8,866 7,281<br>Programme books 94 102<br>Learning & Engagement 526 454<br>Depreciation and amortisation 1,697 1,592<br>(Profit)/Loss on disposal of fixed assets 136 -2<br>VAT annual adjustments 294 150<br>Marketing, press and content 1,319 631<br>Front of House 760 1,021<br>Transport and car park 243 275<br>Box office 779 619<br>Media Development  218 269<br>Catering 4,321 3,320<br>Events and packages 35<br>Support costs  7,432 7,025<br>36,883 31,415<br>Cost of raising funds<br>Fundraising costs:-<br>Fundraising 446 436<br>Membership 308 295<br>Support costs  164 154<br>918 885<br>Investment management fees 233 198<br>Commercial trading operations:-<br>Wind Turbine 49 46<br>Production sale and hire 27 29<br>Retail and Art 768 630<br>Commercial props-making 53 15<br>General administration 0 17<br>897 737<br>Total expenditure  38,931 33,235<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Page: 40 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 5 **EXPENDITURE (Continued)** 

## **Allocation of Support Costs** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Charitable|Cost of|2024|2023|
|activities|raising funds|Total|Total|
|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|
|Administration and management|2,704|59|2,763|3,382|
|Glyndebourne House and Gardens|574|13|587|480|
|Insurance|513|11|524|471|
|Building and services|2,165|48|2,213|1,225|
|Professional fees|442|10|452|253|
|Governance costs|56|1|57|73|
|Information technology|808|18|826|740|
|Other overheads|170|4|174|555|
|7,432|164|7,596|7,179|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The support costs are apportioned according to the proportion of staff generating funds and the percentage of square footage used for fundraising. 

## 6 **NET INCOME** 

Net income is stated after charging: 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||
|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|Administration expenses including:|£'000|£'000|
|Depreciation|1,697|1,593|
|Operating leases - land and buildings|18|0|
|Auditor's remuneration|
|- audit fees|45|39|
|- tax compliance fees|11|11|
|- tax advice|4|11|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## 7 **TAXATION** 

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 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. 

Theatre Tax credits arising from core expenditure on productions have been accounted for in line with the provisions of the Finance Act 2014. The amounts receivable are set out below. 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||
|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|£'000|£'000|
|UK corporation tax credits receivable:|
|Provision for Theatre Tax Relief in respect of current year productions|3,535|3,048|
|Adjustment in respect of previous periods|0|47|
|3,535|3,095|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Page: 41 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 8 **STAFF COSTS AND REMUNERATION OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL** 

|Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Other pension costs<br>The average weekly number of persons employed by the<br>group during the year was:<br>Learning and Engagement<br>Fundraising<br>Marketing and Communications<br>Artistic Programme<br>Technical and Production<br>Front of House Services<br>Other Support Staff<br>Shop|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>**12,954**<br>**1,116**<br>**372**<br>**14,442**<br>**2024**<br>**11**<br>**8**<br>**17**<br>**60**<br>**129**<br>**72**<br>**72**<br>**8**<br>**377**|2023<br>£'000<br>11,232<br>967<br>281<br>12,480<br>2023<br>8<br>8<br>15<br>61<br>116<br>63<br>65<br>7<br>343|
|---|---|---|



This figure includes part time staff rather than full time equivalent, and chorus and performers who are on the payroll, amounting to 41 in 2024 (2023: 42). 

The number of employees receiving remuneration in excess of £60,000 p.a. was as follows:- 

|||**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|---|
|£60,001|- £70,000|**8**|3|
|£70,001|- £80,000|**5**|2|
|£80,001|- £90,000|||
|£90,001|- £100,000|**1**|2|
|£100,001|- £110,000|**1**|1|
|£110,001|- £120,000|**1**||
|£120,001|- £130,000|**1**|3|
|£130,001|- £140,000|**1**||
|£160,001|- £170,000||2|
|£170,001|- £180,000|**1**||
|£180,001|- £190,000|**1**||
|£210,001|- £220,000||1|



The pension costs in respect of these employees amounted to £109,715 (2023: £122,842). 

The key management personnel of the company comprise the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Artistic Director, Director of Artistic Administration, Director of Development, Director of Audience Development, Interim Director of Audience Development, Finance Director, and Director of Operations.  The total employee benefits of the key management personnel, including pension contributions and employer's National Insurance contributions, for the reporting period were £1,205,994 (2023: £1,346,723). 

There were no redundancy, termination or  ex-gratia payments during the year  (2023: £75,800, £nil outstanding as at the year end). 

Page: 42 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 9 **TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS – GROUP** 

|**Freehold**<br>**Property**<br>**COST**<br>**£'000**<br>At 1st January 2024<br>2,904<br>Additions<br>0<br>Disposals<br>0<br>Transfers<br>0<br>At 31st December 2024<br>2,904<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1st January 2024<br>981<br>Disposals<br>0<br>Transfers<br>0<br>Charge for the year<br>57<br>At 31st December 2024<br>1,038<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31st December 2024<br>**1,866**<br>At 31st December 2023<br>1,923<br>**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS – CHARITY**<br>**Freehold**<br>**Property**<br>**COST**<br>**£'000**<br>At 1st January 2024<br>2,904<br>Additions<br>0<br>Disposals<br>0<br>Transfers<br>0<br>At 31st December 2024<br>2,904<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1st January 2024<br>981<br>Disposals<br>0<br>Transfers<br>0<br>Charge for the year<br>57<br>At 31st December 2024<br>1,038<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31st December 2024<br>**1,866**<br>At 31st December 2023<br>1,923|**Opera**<br>**House**<br>**Complex**<br>**£'000**<br>62,833<br>1,035<br>-165<br>1,138<br>64,841<br>29,108<br>-142<br>110<br>1,472<br>30,548<br>**34,293**<br>33,725<br>**Opera**<br>**House**<br>**Complex**<br>**£'000**<br>62,833<br>1,035<br>-132<br>1,052<br>64,788<br>29,108<br>-109<br>76<br>1,466<br>30,541<br>**34,247**<br>33,725|**Plant and**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£'000**<br>3,845<br>533<br>-205<br>42<br>4,215<br>2,836<br>-205<br>-110<br>168<br>2,689<br>**1,526**<br>1,009<br>**Plant and**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£'000**<br>3,761<br>533<br>-207<br>128<br>4,215<br>2,804<br>-207<br>-76<br>168<br>2,689<br>**1,526**<br>957|**Assets in**<br>**the course of**<br>**construction**<br>**£'000**<br>1,114<br>3,134<br>-143<br>-1,180<br>2,925<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>**2,925**<br>1,114<br>**Assets in**<br>**the course of**<br>**construction**<br>**£'000**<br>1,114<br>3,134<br>-143<br>-1,180<br>2,925<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>**2,925**<br>1,114|**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**70,696**<br>**4,702**<br>**-513**<br>**0**<br>**74,885**<br>**32,925**<br>**-347**<br>**0**<br>**1,697**<br>**34,275**<br>**40,610**<br>37,771<br>**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**70,612**<br>**4,702**<br>**-482**<br>**0**<br>**74,832**<br>**32,893**<br>**-316**<br>**0**<br>**1,691**<br>**34,268**<br>**40,564**<br>37,719|
|---|---|---|---|---|



The Charity has been granted a lease over the Opera House and surrounding land at a peppercorn rent expiring in 2075. 

Page: 43 



**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 10 **INVESTMENTS** 

|**INVESTMENTS**<br>Market value at start of year<br>Additions at cost<br>Proceeds from disposal<br>Investment manager fees charged to fund<br>Gains on revaluation of<br>investments<br>Market value at end of year<br>Cash held by stockbrokers<br>Historical cost of investments<br>Investment in subsidiary|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**42,691**<br>41,246<br>**34**<br>0<br>**0**<br>0<br>**-229**<br>-194<br>**42,496**<br>41,052<br>**5,196**<br>1,639<br>**47,692**<br>42,691<br>**2**<br>1<br>**47,694**<br>42,692<br>**38,112**<br>38,078<br>-<br>-<br>**Group**|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**42,691**<br>41,246<br>**34**<br>0<br>**0**<br>0<br>**-229**<br>-194<br>**42,496**<br>41,052<br>**5,196**<br>1,639<br>**47,692**<br>42,691<br>**2**<br>1<br>**47,694**<br>42,692<br>**38,112**<br>38,078<br>**£100**<br>£100<br>**Charity**|
|---|---|---|



Quoted on recognised Stock Exchanges: 

|Debt Instruments<br>Equities<br>Alternative Markets<br>Cash|**UK**<br>**Investments**<br>**£'000**<br>**350**<br>**1,127**<br>**1,724**<br>**2**<br>**3,203**|**Overseas**<br>**Investments**<br>**£'000**<br>**15,714**<br>**24,016**<br>**0**<br>**4,761**<br>**44,491**<br>**2024**|**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**16,064**<br>**25,143**<br>**1,724**<br>**4,763**<br>**47,694**|UK<br>Investments<br>£'000<br>392<br>1,574<br>1,456<br>1<br>3,423|Overseas<br>Investments<br>£'000<br>13,193<br>24,206<br>0<br>1,870<br>39,269<br>2023|Total<br>£'000<br>13,585<br>25,780<br>1,456<br>1,871<br>42,692|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|



The wholly owned trading subsidiary Glyndebourne Enterprises Limited (company reg no: 03937344) is registered within the UK at the same registered address as GPL and donates its profits to the Charity under gift aid. A summary of the trading results is shown below:- 

|Turnover<br>Cost of sales and administration expenses<br>Interest receivable and similar income<br>Donation to Glyndebourne Productions Limited<br>Theatre tax relief<br>Net retained (loss)/profit<br>The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were:<br>Assets<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within the year<br>Creditors: amounts falling due after one year<br>Aggregate share capital and reserves|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>**19,815**<br>**-19,660**<br>**-**<br>**-3,048**<br>**3,535**<br>**642**<br>**4,910**<br>**-717**<br>**4,193**<br>**-158**<br>**4,035**<br>**4,035**|2023<br>£'000<br>16,755<br>-16,464<br>0<br>-3,051<br>3,095<br>335<br>4,138<br>-587<br>3,551<br>-158<br>3,393<br>3,393|
|---|---|---|



_0_ 

Page: 44 



**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

|11<br>**STOCKS**<br>Goods for resale<br>12<br>**DEBTORS**|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**95**<br>73<br>**GROUP**|
|---|---|



|Trade debtors<br>Allowance for doubtful debts<br>Amounts owed by subsidiary<br>undertaking<br>Theatre Tax Relief<br>Other debtors and prepayments|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**232**<br>733<br>**0**<br>0<br>**232**<br>733<br>**0**<br>0<br>**3,535**<br>3,048<br>**1,713**<br>830<br>**5,480**<br>4,611<br>**GROUP**|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**193**<br>583<br>**0**<br>0<br>**193**<br>583<br>**675**<br>664<br>**0**<br>0<br>**1,617**<br>830<br>**2,485**<br>2,077<br>**CHARITY**|
|---|---|---|



Included in the above are the following amounts falling due after more than one year:- 

|Amounts owed by subsidiary<br>undertaking|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**0**<br>0<br>**GROUP**|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**158**<br>158<br>**CHARITY**|
|---|---|---|



Interest is charged on the unsecured loan to the trading subsidiary at 1% above bank base rate.  There are no fixed terms for repayment of the loan which arose from the initial financing of the subsidiary’s stock and fixed assets. 

## 13 **CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|Trade creditors<br>Tax and social security costs<br>VAT<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals<br>Deferred income (note 14)|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**1,730**<br>858<br>**286**<br>239<br>**409**<br>424<br>**1,039**<br>1,043<br>**706**<br>651<br>**3,892**<br>3,377<br>**8,062**<br>6,592<br>**GROUP**|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**1,623**<br>780<br>**282**<br>235<br>**409**<br>424<br>**1,039**<br>1,043<br>**614**<br>651<br>**3,892**<br>3,377<br>**7,859**<br>6,510<br>**CHARITY**|
|---|---|---|



Page: 45 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 14 **DEFERRED INCOME** 

|£'000<br>Glyndebourne Festival Society fees<br>2,108<br>Sponsorship of productions<br>635<br>Catering licensing agreement<br>58<br>Other donations<br>503<br>Advertising and other income<br>73<br>3,377<br>At 1st<br>January<br>2024|£'000<br>-2,108<br>-635<br>-58<br>-503<br>-73<br>-3,377<br>Released to<br>income|£'000<br>2,131<br>960<br>0<br>738<br>9<br>3,838<br>Deferred in<br>year|£'000<br>0<br>0<br>54<br>0<br>0<br>54<br>From<br>creditors due<br>after one<br>year|**£'000**<br>**2,131**<br>**960**<br>**54**<br>**738**<br>**9**<br>**3,892**<br>**At 31st**<br>**December**<br>**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|



## 15 **CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one year** 

|Deferred income<br>Catering licensing agreement|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**166**<br>242<br>**166**<br>242<br>£'000<br>£'000<br>242<br>-54<br>**GROUP**<br>Released to<br>creditors<br>due within<br>one year<br>At 1st<br>January<br>2024|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**166**<br>242<br>**166**<br>242<br>£'000<br>**£'000**<br>-22<br>**166**<br>**CHARITY**<br>Write off in<br>year<br>**At 31st**<br>**December**<br>**2024**|
|---|---|---|



## 16 **SHARE CAPITAL** 

The company is limited by guarantee, having no share capital, members having a liability not exceeding £1 

Page: 46 



## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|STATEMENT OF FUNDS|Realised|
|and|At 31st|
|At 1st January|Total|Total|unrealised|December|
|2024|income|expenditure|Transfers|gains|2024|
|Notes|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|
|Endowment Funds|
|Permanent Endowment|
|- Josephine Barlow Memorial Fund|(a)|50|0|0|0|-|50|
|Expendable Endowments|
|- Dr G Theano|(b)|10|0|0|-10|0|0|
|- Wood Peters Fund|(c)|958|60|-4|-60|18|972|
|Total Endowment Funds|1,018|60|-4|-70|18|1,022|
|check to SOFA|
|Restricted Funds|
|Glyndebourne Festival Opera|0|5|-512|507|0|0|
|Glyndebourne Autumn season|(d)|0|1,037|-1,454|417|0|0|
|Learning & Engagement|74|49|-356|233|0|0|
|Media Development|0|0|-100|100|0|0|
|New Generation Programme|(e)|6,499|1,495|-35|-1,414|797|7,342|
|Isabel Leete Legacy Fund|(f)|17|0|0|-17|0|0|
|Arthur Wise Legacy Fund|(g)|127|0|0|-127|0|0|
|Garden Fund|(h)|0|64|-64|0|0|0|
|Benches|0|19|-19|0|0|0|
|Awards|(i)|0|23|-23|0|0|0|
|Gillian Fane Aspiring Artists Fund|(k)|3,240|113|-18|-79|330|3,586|
|Croquet Pavilion|(l)|2|0|0|0|0|2|
|Lighting department|(m)|0|5|-5|0|
|Archive acquisition|(n)|0|12|-12|0|
|Orchestra pit lift|(o)|0|0|-502|502|0|0|
|Stage floor project|(o)|0|1|-1|0|
|Total Restricted Funds|9,959|2,823|-3,101|122|1,127|10,930|
|check to SOFA|
|Unrestricted Funds|
|Designated funds|(p)|
|Growth Fund|665|0|-188|0|0|477|
|Capital investment reserve|14,503|0|0|2,382|0|16,885|
|Freelancer fund|478|0|-3|-475|0|0|
|Carbon emissions offset|20|0|-20|26|0|26|
|Tangible fixed assets|37,771|0|0|2,839|0|40,610|
|Non Designated funds|
|General reserve|20,736|39,059|-35,615|-4,824|4,051|23,408|
|Total Unrestricted Funds|74,173|39,059|-35,826|-52|4,051|81,405|
|Total Funds|85,150|41,942|-38,931|0|5,196|93,357|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## 17 **STATEMENT OF FUNDS** 

## **Endowment Funds** 

(a) Josephine Barlow Memorial Fund A legacy of £50,000 was received during 2012, the income on which is to be used in support of the Music Preparation Scheme and the Garden Fund.  The capital is to be made available for general use after twenty years.  The Fund is represented by a separate treasury deposit within the GPL bank account. During the year interest of £1,750 (2023: £1,050) was earned on the deposit account which was shared equally between the Music Preparation Scheme and the Garden Fund. 

## (b) Dr G Theano 

An expendable endowment was received during 2017 to be used in support of the biennial Opera Cup. The Fund is represented by a separate treasury deposit. Following the decision to not run the Opera Cup in 2022, the funder generously agreed that £20,000 could be drawn down to support a debut artist in the 2022 revivial of _Marriage of Figaro_ , and a further £10,225 to support the Talent Development concert in Autumn 2023. The remainder of the endowment was agreed to be used to support debut artists in the Autumn 2024 season. 

## (c) Wood Peters fund 

A legacy was received in 2001 in the sum of £1,000,000 with a further £18,516 received in February 2003. These funds have been separately invested in two portfolios managed by Rothschild & Co and Capital Group in order to maximise income to be used to support  understudies in the Autumn season. 

Page: 47 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 17 **STATEMENT OF FUNDS (Continued)** 

## **Restricted Funds** 

Incoming resources in respect of the Festival, Autumn programme, Learning and Engagement, Media Development and the New Generation Programme comprise net gains on investments held within restricted portfolios, sponsorship, grants and donations from third parties, given towards specific areas of activity undertaken during the year. 

- (d) Incoming resources for the Glyndebourne Autumn programme include a grant from Arts Council England (ACE) of £800,000 (2023: £800.000) and annual funding of £200,000 from a major donor. 

- (e) The New Generation Programme (NGP) is used to support a number of projects within GPL across the following five key strands of work: developing future audiences, securing artistic excellence, learning and development, developing our skills and investing in our facilities. A budget is set annually for each of these strands and the programmes within them, forming the fundraising target for that year. At the end of each year the funds raised against actual costs incurred are reviewed in order to determine how much will be transferred to GPL to support each programme. 

- (f) The NGP is entitled to draw down on the Isabel Leete Legacy Fund, which is restricted for the support of Glyndebourne Learning & Engagement (L&E) projects. In 2024 £15,970 was transferred from the Isabel Leete Legacy Fund to NGP to support the L&E programme (2023: £227,337). 

- (g) A legacy of £300k was received from Arthur Wise in 2016 with the request that these funds be used for the encouragement and support of young singers. A further sum of £49,824 was received in respect of this legacy in 2018. In 2024 £127,466 was transferred from the Arthur Wise Legacy Fund to NGP (2023: £173,957). 

- (h) The garden fund is used for donations given specifically for the maintenance and development of the gardens. 

- (i) The Donald Anderson Award, established in 2011, was created to assist a young Glyndebourne Autumn programme (previously Tour) singer with his or her studies and to provide performance experience at home or abroad. It is financed by the Donald A Anderson Trust. 

- (j) The COVID-19 fundraising appeal was run in 2020 in response to the threat of significant financial losses arising from enforced closure of theatres during the pandemic. £24k of remaining gift aid on such donations was received in 2023. 

- (k) A legacy and donations in memoriam were received in 2021 to set up the Gillian Fane Aspiring Artists Fund, to support emerging and developing artistic talent. These funds have been invested in a portfolio managed by Capital Group with income arising used to support the cover artists programme. 

- (l) A donation of £100,000 was received during 2021 as part-sponsorship of a new undercover dining and entertainment space. This project continues to be under development. 

- (m) A donation of £5,200 (2023: £7,500) was received to fund training and development in the Lighting department. (n) A donation of $15,000 was received from Glyndebourne America Inc. to fund the acquisition of a collection of photographs taken by Ira Nowinski in the 1950's for the Glyndebourne Archive. (2023: A donation of £30,831 was received in 2023 to fund a project to digitise Glyndebourne's archive records.) 

- (o) Donations were received as contributions to stage infrastructure upgrades and replacements, including £502,169 raised through the Annual Fund and directed to the orchestra pit lift project. 

## **Unrestricted Funds** 

- (p) Designated funds at the year end comprise the commitment of funds as follows: - Growth Fund: to supply financing for discreet, time-limited projects that are designed to stimulate or accelerate profitable growth or achieve sustainable operating cost efficiencies. 

   - Capital investment reserve: for major capital asset overhauls and replacements. 

   - Orchestra pit lift: replacement and upgrade of orchestra pit lifts and safety net. 

   - Freelancer Fund: in recognition of the limited financial support that freelancers were eligible for from government during the pandemic, the Charity set up this fund with effect from end of 2021 to provide emergency funding to GPL contracted freelancers in times of need. This fund was released in 2024 in acknowledgement that the Charity continues to support freelancers regardless. 

   - Carbon emissions offset fund: investment of an amount equivalent to £25 per tonne CO2 (in line with current suggested contribution to Woodland Trust UK) in direct carbon emission reduction plans at Glyndebourne within the following 12 months. 

   - Tangible fixed assets fund: representing reserves of value equivalent to the net book value of tangible fixed assets. 

## **Transfers** 

Net transfers during the year comprise transfers from the restricted NGP, Gillian Fane Aspiring Artists, Leete legacy, and Wise legacy funds; and the Wood Peters and Theano endowment funds to the core strands of GPL amounting to £1,707k (2023: £1,828k), reflecting use of these restricted fund to support a number of projects including ticket subsidies for U30s, the Glyndebourne Youth Opera, and the Jerwood Chorus Development Scheme. Within designated funds, £1,356k (2023: £3,095k) has been added to the capital investment reserve in recognition of upcoming major capital asset overhauls and replacements needed. 

## **Analysis of Group net assets between funds:** 

|Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Cash at bank<br>Other net current liabilities<br>Creditors due after one year<br>**Net assets**|Unrestricted<br>£'000<br>40,610<br>36,059<br>5,551<br>-649<br>-166<br>81,405|Restricted<br>funds<br>£'000<br>0<br>10,663<br>2,093<br>-1,826<br>0<br>10,930|Endowment<br>funds<br>£'000<br>0<br>972<br>62<br>-12<br>0<br>1,022|**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**40,610**<br>**47,694**<br>**7,706**<br>**-2,487**<br>**-166**<br>**93,357**|
|---|---|---|---|---|



Page: 48 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 17 **STATEMENT OF FUNDS (Continued)** 

## **PRIOR YEAR STATEMENT OF FUNDS** 

|Notes<br>£'000<br>£'000<br>**Endowment Funds**<br>Permanent Endowment<br>- Josephine Barlow Memorial Fund (a)<br>50<br>0<br>Expendable Endowments<br>- Dr G Theono<br>(b)<br>20<br>0<br>- Woods/Peters Fund<br>(c)<br>954<br>55<br>**Total Endowment Funds**<br>1,024<br>55<br>**Restricted Funds**<br>Glyndebourne Festival Opera<br>0<br>25<br>Glyndebourne Autumn<br>(d)<br>0<br>1,003<br>Learning & Engagement<br>0<br>105<br>Media Development<br>0<br>0<br>New Generation Programme<br>(e)<br>6,035<br>1,529<br>Isabel Leete Legacy Fund<br>(f)<br>244<br>0<br>Arthur Wise Legacy Fund<br>(g)<br>301<br>0<br>Garden Fund<br>(h)<br>0<br>21<br>Benches<br>0<br>14<br>Donald Anderson Award<br>(i)<br>0<br>8<br>COVID-19 Fund<br>(j)<br>0<br>25<br>Gillian Fane Aspiring Artists Fund<br>(k)<br>3,194<br>66<br>Croquet Pavilion<br>(l)<br>2<br>0<br>Lighting department<br>(m)<br>0<br>8<br>Archive digitisation project<br>(n)<br>0<br>31<br>**Total Restricted Funds**<br>9,776<br>2,835<br>**Unrestricted Funds**<br>**Designated funds**<br>(m)<br>Growth Fund<br>750<br>0<br>Capital investment reserve<br>11,408<br>0<br>Backstage automation<br>0<br>0<br>Freelancer fund<br>488<br>0<br>Carbon emissions offset<br>10<br>0<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>0<br>0<br>**Non Designated funds**<br>General reserve<br>56,388<br>34,012<br>**Total Unrestricted Funds**<br>69,044<br>34,012<br>**Total Funds**<br>79,844<br>36,902<br>**Analysis of Group net assets between funds 2023:**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Cash at bank<br>Other net current liabilities<br>Creditors due after one year<br>**Net assets**<br>**PRIOR YEAR STATEMENT OF FUNDS**<br>At 1st<br>January<br>2023<br>Total<br>incoming<br>resources|£'000<br>0<br>0<br>-4<br>-4<br>-866<br>-1,395<br>-454<br>-172<br>-29<br>0<br>0<br>-21<br>-14<br>-8<br>-25<br>-15<br>0<br>-8<br>-31<br>-3,038<br>-85<br>0<br>-657<br>-10<br>-10<br>0<br>-29,433<br>-30,193<br>-33,235<br>Unrestricted<br>£'000<br>37,771<br>32,180<br>4,914<br>-450<br>-242<br>74,173<br>Total<br>resources<br>expended|£'000<br>0<br>-10<br>-55<br>-65<br>841<br>392<br>423<br>172<br>-1,296<br>-227<br>-174<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>-66<br>0<br>65<br>0<br>3,095<br>657<br>0<br>20<br>37,771<br>-41,542<br>0<br>0<br>Restricted<br>£'000<br>0<br>9,554<br>1,852<br>-1,447<br>0<br>9,959<br>Transfers|£'000<br>-<br>0<br>8<br>8<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>260<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>61<br>0<br>321<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>1,310<br>1,310<br>1,639<br>Endowment<br>£'000<br>0<br>958<br>71<br>-11<br>0<br>1,018<br>Realised<br>and<br>unrealised<br>gains|**£'000**<br>**50**<br>**10**<br>**958**<br>**1,018**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**74**<br>**0**<br>**6,499**<br>**17**<br>**127**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**3,240**<br>**2**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**9,959**<br>**665**<br>**14,503**<br>**0**<br>**478**<br>**20**<br>**37,771**<br>**20,736**<br>**74,173**<br>**85,150**<br>**Total**<br>**£'000**<br>**37,771**<br>**42,692**<br>**6,837**<br>**-1,908**<br>**-242**<br>**85,150**<br>**At 31st**<br>**December**<br>**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|



Page: 49 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 18 **PENSION SCHEMES** 

Glyndebourne Productions Limited is one of several employers participating in the Christie Pension and Life Assurance Scheme. With effect from 05 December 2008, the Christie Pension and Life Assurance Scheme was sectionalised, thus restricting the Charity’s liability to that only in respect of Glyndebourne group employees, past and present. The assets of this scheme are held in separate trustee-administered funds. The scheme now comprises only a defined benefit pension scheme, which was closed to new entrants from 01 January 2001 and further closed to future accrual from 31 December 2022. The Scheme carried out a buy-in transaction with Just Group plc covering all Scheme liabilities as of 04 August 2023. 

The assets of the defined contribution section of the Christie Pension and Life Assurance Scheme, for employees commencing employment after 01 January 2001 to 31 January 2014, were transferred in bulk to the People's Pension with effect from 28 August 2020 and this section of the scheme was wound up with effect on 20 April 2022. 

On 31 January 2014 a defined contribution stakeholder scheme was introduced, open to all employees and since 01 February 2014 the Company has participated in  a Mastertrust scheme with  the People’s Pension in accordance with meeting auto enrolment responsibilities. 

The FRS102 assessment of the scheme as at 31 December 2024 showed the market value of the Charity’s share of the scheme’s assets at £20,691,000 (2023: £21,923,000), representing 167% (2023: 155%) of its liabilities. The surplus has not been recognised in accordance with the principles of FRS102. Total employer contributions to the scheme during the year amounted to £nil (2023: £7,000).  The present value of the defined benefit obligation, the related current service cost and past service cost, were measured using the projected unit credit method. 

## **(a)   Defined benefit scheme** 

The main assumptions used for the purposes of FRS102 are: 

||**2024**|2023|2022|
|---|---|---|---|
|Discount rate|**5.40%**|4.45%|4.75%|
|Inflation assumptions (RPI)|**3.35%**|3.20%|3.25%|
|Inflation assumptions (CPI)|**2.90%**|2.70%|2.75%|
|Salary – increases|**n/a**|n/a|n/a|
|Pension increases in deferment|**2.90%**|2.70%|2.75%|
|Rates of increase to pension in payment:||||
|LPI (max 5%) based on CPI|**2.85%**|2.65%|2.70%|
|LPI (max 3%) based on CPI|**2.35%**|2.25%|2.25%|
|LPI (max 2.5%) based on CPI|**2.10%**|2.00%|2.00%|
|Mortality:||||
|The average life expectancy in years of a pensioner retiring at||||
|age 65 on the balance sheet date is as follows:||||
|Male|**86.40**|86.40|86.90|
|Female|**88.90**|88.90|89.30|
|The average life expectancy in years of a pensioner retiring at||||
|age 65, twenty years after the balance sheet date is as||||
|Male|**87.60**|87.60|88.20|
|Female|**90.30**|90.30|90.70|



Page: 50 



**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 18 **PENSION SCHEME (Continued)** 

The fair value of the plans assets were: 

|The fair value of the plans assets were:<br>Equities<br>0.0%<br>Debt<br>0%<br>Hedge funds<br>0%<br>Annuity policies<br>59.9%<br>Cash<br>40.1%|**At 31st**<br>**December**<br>At 31st<br>December<br>**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**0**<br>4,100<br>**0**<br>2,017<br>**0**<br>1,008<br>**12,394**<br>14,162<br>**8,297**<br>636|
|---|---|
|**Total Market Value of Assets**|**20,691**<br>21,923|
|**Net defined benefit asset/(liability)**<br>**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>Fair value of scheme assets<br>**20,691**<br>21,923<br>Present value of defined benefit obligation<br>**-12,393**<br>-14,143<br>Asset not recognised<br>**-8,298**<br>-7,780<br>The pension scheme has not invested in any of Glyndebourne Productions Limited’s own financial<br>instruments, nor in properties or other assets owned by Glyndebourne Productions Limited. The assets<br>are all quoted in an active market.||
|**Defined benefit asset/(liability) recognised in balance sheet**|**0**<br>0|
|**Total expense/(credit) recognised in income and expenditure**<br>Current service cost<br>Administration costs<br>Past service costs including curtailments<br>Net interest on the net defined benefit liability|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**0**<br>0<br>**204**<br>322<br>**0**<br>0<br>**-342**<br>-529|
|**Total income and expenditure charge/(credit)**|**-138**<br>-207|
|**Total amount taken to other comprehensive income**<br>Actual return on scheme assets – gains<br>Less: amounts included in net interest on the net<br>defined benefit asset/(liability )|**2024**<br>2023<br>**£'000**<br>£'000<br>**-526**<br>-1,993<br>**-960**<br>-1,159|
|Remeasurement gains and (losses)<br>-          Return on scheme assets excluding interest income<br>-          Actuarial gains and (losses)<br>Asset not recognised|**-1,486**<br>-3,152<br>**1,866**<br>-578<br>**-8,298**<br>-7,780|
|**Remeasurement gain/(loss)**<br>**recognised in other comprehensive income**|**-7,918**<br>-11,510|



Page: 51 



**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 18 **PENSION SCHEME (Continued)** 

## **Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation** 

|Present value of defined benefit obligation<br>at beginning of year<br>Benefits paid<br>Current service cost<br>Administration costs<br>Interest cost<br>Remeasurement (gains) and losses<br>-          actuarial (gains) and losses<br>Employee contributions<br>Past service costs including curtailments<br>**Present value of defined benefit obligation**<br>**at end of year**<br>**Changes in the fair value of scheme assets**<br>Fair view of Scheme assets at beginning of the year<br>Interest income<br>Remeasurement gains and (losses)<br>-          Return on scheme assets excluding interest income<br>Contribution by employer<br>Employee contributions<br>Benefits paid including expenses<br>**Fair value of the Scheme assets at end of the year**|**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>**14,143**<br>**-706**<br>**0**<br>**204**<br>**618**<br>**-1,866**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**12,393**<br>**2024**<br>**£'000**<br>**21,923**<br>**960**<br>**-1,486**<br>**0**<br>**0**<br>**-706**<br>**20,691**|2023<br>£'000<br>13,596<br>-985<br>0<br>322<br>630<br>578<br>2<br>0<br>14,143<br>2024<br>£'000<br>24,892<br>1,159<br>-3,152<br>7<br>2<br>-985<br>21,923|
|---|---|---|



## **(b) Defined contribution schemes** 

The amount recognised as an expense for the defined contribution scheme was £510,000 (2023: £488,000). 

## 19 **RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** 

The Trustees are satisfied that all of the following related party transactions are allowed under the constitution of the charity. 

## (a) **Glyndebourne Opera House** 

The Charity occupies Glyndebourne Opera House under a lease signed in 1992 from the Trustees of the Glyndebourne 1990 Temporary Charitable Trust, a private trust whose beneficiaries are the Christie family and the Charity.  The lease provides for a peppercorn rent and will expire in 2075. 

## (b) **Glyndebourne Cottages** 

Under a lease from the Trustees of the Glyndebourne 1991 AJC Life Interest Trust, a private trust whose life tenant is Gus Christie, the Charity occupies the buildings formerly known as 1 & 2 New Cottages located on the Glyndebourne site for operational purposes. Rent of £17,740 was paid for the year (2023: £17,740). 

Page: 52 



**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 19 **RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Continued)** 

## (c) **Glyndebourne Mansion House and Gardens** 

The Mansion House at Glyndebourne is the residence of Gus Christie and his family who make certain areas of the house available for use by staff and artists engaged by the Charity and for the entertainment of donors.  The Charity meets the costs incurred by the Christie family in making the Mansion House available for these purposes in accordance with an agreement approved by the Charity Commission. Under the terms of the agreement the Charity made contributions of £138,000 (2023: £126,000) during the year. 

Furthermore, the Charity is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the gardens at Glyndebourne. Gus Christie bore costs amounting to £5,958 (2023: £5,674) in respect of the running of the gardens. 

## (d) **Payments to/from trustees and connected parties** 

None of the trustees received any remuneration, or claimed any expenses, in connection with their role as a trustee of GPL. 

The Christie family incurred expenses amounting to £1,500 (2023: £1,380) which have been recharged to the family. 

Gus Christie, Executive Chairman and a non-voting advisory trustee, received total remuneration, including pension contributions, of £134,309 (2023: £128,007) during the year under the terms of his contract of employment with Glyndebourne. Gus Christie's wife, Danielle de Niese, received total remuneration, including pensions, of £33,325 (2023: £31,900) for her role as Ambassador for the Charity. 

Seats were made available during the the course of the Festival and Autumn Season, to Gus Christie and other members of the executive management team, which were predominantly used for GPL business entertaining purposes. The number of seats used across the performances for executive management team use and associated value amounted to 1,068 and £191,607 respectively (2023: 1,163 and £205k). Given these were primarily used for business entertaining purposes, it is not considered that this was to the financial detriment of the Charity. 

## (e) **Christie Management Limited** 

Christie Management Limited is controlled by the Christie family. No amounts were paid by the charity to Christie Management Limited in 2024 or 2023. 

- (f) **Donations from trustees** 

Donations totalling £107,500 were received from trustees during the course of 2024 (2023: £45,700). 

## (g) **Transactions with GEL** 

The Charity has one active wholly owned subsidiary, GEL, which is responsible for income generating activities which are incidental to GPL's charitable purposes. These comprise merchandising, the sale and hire of Glyndebourne productions to other international opera houses, the operation of Glyndebourne's wind turbine and producing all of the Festival, Autumn and youth/community opera productions each year on behalf of GPL. During the year Gus Christie, John Botts CBE, Lord Davies of Abersoch, Alina Kessel and Christopher Walter, who are key management personnel for the Charity, were directors of the company. GEL gifted £3,048,497 to the Charity during 2024 (see also note 10) (2023: gifted £3,051,417). At the year end the company owed GPL £516,593 (2023: £664,259). 

## (h) **Transactions with Glyndebourne America Inc.** 

Grants totalling $506k were awarded by Glyndebourne America Inc. to GPL during the year (2023: $503k). 

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**GLYNDEBOURNE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED** 

**(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024** 

## 20 **FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS** 

Capital commitments are as follows: 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|GROUP|CHARITY|
|2024|2023|2024|2023|
|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|
|Expenditure contracted but not|
|provided for in the financial statements|736|530|736|530|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows: 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|GROUP|CHARITY|
|2024|2023|2024|2023|
|£'000|£'000|£'000|£'000|
|Due within one year|18|0|18|0|
|Due after one year|248|0|248|0|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## 21 **FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS** 

At the balance sheet date the consolidated group held financial assets at amortised cost comprising cash and short term deposits, trade debtors, other debtors and accrued income of £7,938k (2023: £7,570k) and financial liabilities at amortised cost, comprising trade creditors, other creditors and accruals of £3,475k (2023: £2,552k). 

Total income received in respect of financial assets held at amortised cost totalled £565,985 (2023: £245,628). 

The group held assets at fair value through income and expenditure of £47.7m (2023: £42.7m). Movements in the year through the statement of financial activities comprised gains of £5,196,221 (2023: gains of £1,638,970) and income from investment portfolio of £139,040 (2023: £120,880). 

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