## **The Neonatal Society Trustees’ Annual Report** 

**for the period 1[st] January 2022 to 31[st] December 2022 inclusive** 

**Charity name:** The Neonatal Society 

## **Charity registration number:** 260349 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

## **Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document** 

The Neonatal Society was founded in 1959 to bring together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn. The object of the Society is the promotion of Neonatal Science in any manner which now is or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable. The Society has a well-established track record of fostering new research by the award of prizes to leading young investigators, as well as a student research bursary. 

**Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.** 

The Society meets three times a year bringing together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn for the promotion of Neonatal Science. 

## **Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit** 

The Society’s Trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. 

## **Policy on grant making** 

The Society awards Student Research Bursaries up to twice per year, upon application 

These competitive grants are available for supporting medical or science students already registered for a higher degree, to undertake a period of laboratory, experimental or clinical research in an area relating to the fetus or newborn during an elective period. 

The prize is for up to £500 and can be used for accommodation, travel and/or subsistence during this period. The successful student will be required to present their research either as a poster or oral presentation at one of the Neonatal Society meetings. The Research Bursaries are advertised on the Society’s website www.neonatalsociety.ac.uk 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity in 2022** 

The Society restored its meetings to the in-person format after the pandemic, better fitting with its purpose of bringing together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn. However, it continued with the hybrid (i.e. on line and in person) format which enhances the reach of its activities as is accessible for those unable to travel to the meeting venue. 



The Society welcomed online attendees from low or middle income non-member without charge to its meetings, spreading neonatal science to less advantaged scientific and clinical communities. 

In pursuit of its purpose to bring together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn for the promotion of Neonatal Science, the Society held the following meetings in 2022: 

## **Spring Meeting: Friday 10[th] March 2022** 

|**Spring Meeting: Friday 10th March 2022**|**Spring Meeting: Friday 10th March 2022**|
|---|---|
|at the Royal Society of Medicine, London and online (hybrid)||
|Attendances:|203|
|Research presentations:|16|
|Keynote Lecture|Dr David MacIntyre, Imperial College London:<br>‘Vaginal microbiota-host interactions and preterm birth’|
|The McCance Lecture|Professor David FitzPatrick, University of Edinburgh:<br>‘Paediatric genomics: new methods for diagnosing rare<br>disease in infants’|
|Inaugural Rising Star Annual<br>Invited Lecture|Dr Harry Leitch, Imperial College London:<br>‘Pluripotent stem cell disease modelling approaches in<br>acutely unwell neonates’|



## **Summer Meeting: Thursday 23[rd] – Friday 24[th] June 2022** 

at the University of Winchester and online (hybrid) 

|**Summer Meeting: Thursday 23rd – Friday 24th June 2022**<br>at the University of Winchester and online (hybrid)|**Summer Meeting: Thursday 23rd – Friday 24th June 2022**<br>at the University of Winchester and online (hybrid)|
|---|---|
|||
|Attendances:|232|
|Research presentations:|17|
|Keynote Lecture|Professor Karel Allegaert, KU Leuven, Belgium:<br>‘Challenges of evaluating medicines in neonates’|
|Keynote Lecture|Professor Saul Faust:<br>‘Treating and preventing complications of paediatric<br>and neonatal COVID-19’|
|The David Harvey Fellowship<br>Lecture|Professor Joy Lawn, LSHTM:<br>’30 million vulnerable newborns: high impact science<br>and care gaps to close’|
|Tizard Lecture|Professor Arjan te Pas, University of Leiden, The<br>Netherlands:<br>‘Advances in neonatal stabilisation and resuscitation’|
|Young Investigator Lecture|Dr James Webbe, Imperial College London|



**Autumn Meeting: Thursday 10[th] November 2022** at the Royal Society of Medicine, London and online (hybrid) 

|**Autumn Meeting: Thursday 10th November 2022**<br>at the Royal Society of Medicine, London and online (hybrid)|**Autumn Meeting: Thursday 10th November 2022**<br>at the Royal Society of Medicine, London and online (hybrid)|
|---|---|
|||
|Attendances:|Data awaited|
|Research presentations:|12|
|Keynote Lecture|Professor Sarah Stock, University of Edinburgh<br>‘Antenatal Corticosteroids – the good, the bad and the<br>unknown’|





Widdowson Lecture Professor Marianne Thoresen, University of Bristol, University of Oslo: ‘Therapeutic hypothermia: what we know and what we need to know’ 

The Society’s Annual General Meeting, open to all members in person and on line, was held on Thursday 10[th] November 2022 at the Royal Society of Medicine, and on line. 

## **Financial Review** 

## **The charity’s financial position at the end of the period** 

At the end of the reporting period (31.12.2022), the Society’s financial position held at £62,694. 

## **Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held** 

The charity’s members have agreed, via its the Annual General Meeting, that the Society may hold funds of up to £75,000 to support it to continue to meet its purpose of bringing together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn in the promotion of Neonatal Science. Reserves are required to underwrite the Society’s scientific meetings to ensure that venue and meeting costs, chargeable in advance, can be met. 

## **Amount of reserves held** 

At the end of the reporting period (31.12.2022), the Society’s financial position was £62,694. 

**Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern** 

There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern. 

## **The charity’s principal sources of funds** 

The Society’s income is draw from members’ subscription, registration fees paid for relevant Society meetings and donations for attendance at the Society’s Summer Meeting. 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

## **Governing document** 

The Society has a Constitution, as available on its website and in Appendix 1. 

## **How is the charity constituted?** 

The Neonatal Society is an unincorporated association. 

**Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees** 

The Trustees of the Society are drawn from the Society’s officers, specifically the General Secretary, President and Treasurer and are selected by the Society’s Committee. 

All the Society’s Committee Members are elected by the Society’s membership and are listed on the Society’s website. 



## **Reference and Administrative details** 

## **Charity name:** 

The Neonatal Society 

## **Registered charity number:** 

Charity number: 260349 

## **Charity’s principal address** 

The Neonatal Society Co/ Professor Helen Budge Academic Child Health Nottingham University Hospital Queens Medical Centre Derby Road Nottingham, NG7 2UH 

## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

||**Trustee name**|**Office**|**Dates acted**<br>**when not for**<br>**whole year**|**Name of person (or**<br>**body) entitled to**<br>**appoint trustee (if**<br>**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|1.|James Boardman|Past President|To 29.10.22|Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|2.|Andrew Ewer|President||Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|3.|Helen Budge|Treasurer||Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|4.|Christopher Gale|General Secretary|From 12.10.22|Neonatal Society<br>Committee|



## **Corporate trustees** 

There are no Trustees who are Directors as the Society is not a Corporation or Company. 

## **Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity** 

The Society holds no property and there are, therefore, no Trustees who hold title to property belonging to the charity. 

## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** 

There are no funds held on behalf of others 

## **Names of staff members** 

There are no staff members 



**Declarations** 

## **The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report.** 

**Signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees** 

|**Signature**||
|---|---|
|**Full Name**|**Professor Helen Budge**|
|**Position**|**The Neonatal Society Treasurer**|
|**Date**|**30.10.2023**|





**Appendix 1** 

## **The Neonatal Society Constitution** 

1. The Society shall be known as “The Neonatal Society”. 

2. The object of the Society is the promotion of Neonatal Science in any manner which now is or hereafter may be deemed in law to be charitable. 

3. Membership is open to scientific workers who give evidence of being interested in the object of the Society, and whose professional careers are in major part devoted to neonatal science. Acceptable evidence of such interest shall be:- 

- the presentation to the Society of an original research paper of acceptable standard, or; 

- the presentation to the Society of an invited lecture or the Young Investigator’s Prize lecture, or; 

- the presentation, by a co-author, of an original paper of an acceptable standard of research on which the applicant has acted as senior author and where the applicant has supported its presentation by attending the Society’s meeting at which the presentation takes place. The latter applications shall be limited to one senior author. 

4. Candidates for ordinary membership must be proposed and second by members who must send the candidate’s name and qualifications for election to one of the Secretaries at least four weeks before the next meeting. The Committee shall nominate candidates for election from the names proposed and seconded by members. The committee shall propose invited lecturers and Young Investigators to become members of the Society. 

5. Honorary membership may be offered to persons who have made notable contributions to the study of the newborn. Such persons, if ordinarily resident outside the British Isles, must also have read a paper before the Society. The names of those whom the Committee recommends the Society should so honour should be circulated with the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting. The rules of elections shall be as in Clause 4 (a). 

6. Nominations for Committee membership will be invited 3 months before the AGM. Voting for the President will take place using a secure electronic system and involve the entire membership. Other committee members will be elected by secret ballot of members of the Society at the Annual General Meeting. 

There shall be a Committee which shall be elected by members of the Society. The Committee shall consist of a President, the President elect or the immediate past President, two secretaries, a Treasurer and 3 ordinary members. Membership of the Committee should ideally represent the full range of neonatal science with a balance between non clinical and clinical members. 

- a ‘year’ represents the length of time between consecutive Annual General Meetings and might not correspond with a calendar year 

- the President shall be elected at the AGM one year prior to the retirement of the current office holder, and shall serve for that year as President elect and the following 3 years as President 

- the immediate past President shall remain a member of the Committee for 2 years after retiring from the post 

- the two Secretaries shall hold office for 4 years from the AGM of their election, the first 2 years as Meetings Secretary followed by 2 years as General Secretary 

- the Treasurer shall hold office for 3 years from the AGM of election, and may stand for election for further 3-year terms. They should notify the General Secretary before the summer meeting prior to the end of their term whether they 



intend to stand for election again. The General Secretary should notify members at the summer meeting 

- the Ordinary Members will hold office for 2 years from the AGM of their election 

- the Committee can extend the term of office of an Ordinary Member by one or two years to prevent all 3 Ordinary Members being replaced simultaneously 

7. The members of the Committee holding office or membership of the Committee at the date of adoption of this Constitution shall remain in office or membership of the Committee (as the case may be) and their periods of office or membership of the Committee shall be calculated from the latest dates on which they were respectively elected before the adoption of this Constitution. 

8. At the Ordinary Meeting of the Society preceding the Annual General Meeting the vacancies occurring on the Committee for the following year shall be announced, with a statement as to whether the current members of Committee concerned will be eligible for re-election or not. This announcement will also be circulated to the membership. 

9. Proposals in writing and signed by any two members of the Society for members to fill the specified vacancies must reach one of the Secretaries at least eight weeks before the Annual General Meeting. The Committee may put forward proposals for members to fill the vacancies. The election of the President will be conducted using a secure electronic voting system open to all members. The Committee will prepare a list of candidates, and this list will be circulated with the agenda for the Annual General Meeting at which the vacancies will be filled by secret ballot. 

10. The Committee shall meet as often as necessary: at meetings of the Committee four shall constitute a quorum. In the event of a tied vote the President or Acting Chairman will have a casting vote. 

11. Casual vacancies in the Committee may be filled by the other members of the Committee co-opting a member until the next time an election is due to be held to fill that particular vacancy. 

12. It shall be the duty of the Committee to carry out the general policy of the Society and (subject to any conditions imposed from time to time by the Society in General Meeting) to provide for the administration, management and control of the affairs and property of the Society. In particular it shall be the duty of the Committee to make rules for the conduct of scientific meetings of the Society. 

13. The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held each year at such time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting) and place as the Committee shall determine. Other general meetings of the Society shall be held at such times and places as may be determined by the Committee. 

14. A special meeting of the Society shall be called upon the written demand of at least 4 members or of the President. 

15. At least 21 clear days’ notice of all General Meetings (other than special meetings) and at least 14 clear days’ notice of all special meetings shall be given in writing by the Meetings Secretary to all members. 

16. The business of the Annual General Meeting shall include the election of officers and ordinary members of the Committee, the appointment of auditors and the consideration of an annual report on the activities of the Society and of the accounts. 

17. The President shall be Chairman of all meetings of the Society and the Committee. If the President shall be absent from a meeting, one of his Secretaries shall propose a chairman for that meeting. 

18. The quorum at meetings of the Society shall be 50 of the members of the Society, or such other number as the Committee may from time to time determine. 

19. The subscription for ordinary membership shall be decided by the Committee and shall be announced at least six weeks before the Annual General Meeting. The subscription may be waived at the discretion of the Committee for ordinary members 



resident outside the British Isles. If the subscription of a member be more than one year in arrears, he shall cease to be a member. 

20. The income and property of the Society whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the purposes of the Society as set forth in this Constitution, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to any member of the Society. Provided that nothing here in shall prevent the payment in good faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the Society or the repayment of out-ofpocket expenses. 

21. The Committee shall take such steps as may be necessary to vest in the Official Custodian for Charities any investments from time to time belonging to the Society. 

22. The Society may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at a meeting of the Society of which at least 21 clear days’ notice shall have been sent to all members of the Society. Such resolution may give instructions on the disposal of any assets held by or in the name of or in trust for the Society, provided that if any property remains after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, such property shall not be passed to or distributed among the members of the Society but shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institutions having objects similar to the object of the Society as the Society may (with the approval of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction determine. 

23. Notice of any proposal to amend or alter the existing Constitution, or to make new Rules must be sent to one of the Secretaries not later than six weeks before the next ensuing Annual General Meeting and, must appear on the agenda of that meeting in the form of a motion. No alteration shall be made unless two-thirds of those members voting are in favour. No alteration shall be made in Clause 2 of this Constitution without the approval of the Court or of the Charity Commissioners or other authority having charitable jurisdiction. 

24. The Interpretation Act 1889 applies for the interpretation of this Constitution. 

Last amended 2013. 




## **The Neonatal Society Trustees’ Annual Accounts** 

**for the period 1[st] January 2022 to 31[st] December 2022 inclusive** 

## **Charity name:** 

The Neonatal Society 

## **Registered charity number:** 

Charity number: 260349 

**Objectives and Activities:** The Neonatal Society was founded in 1959 to bring together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn. The object of the Society is the promotion of Neonatal Science in any manner which now is or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable. The Society has a well-established track record of fostering new research by the award of prizes to leading young investigators, as well as a student research bursary. 

## **Charity’s principal address** 

The Neonatal Society Co/ Professor Helen Budge Academic Child Health Nottingham University Hospital Queens Medical Centre Derby Road Nottingham, NG7 2UH 

## **Bank** 

Barclays Bank PLC 

## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

||**Trustee name**|**Office**|**Dates acted**<br>**when not for**<br>**whole year**|**Name of person (or**<br>**body) entitled to**<br>**appoint trustee (if**<br>**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|1.|James Boardman|Past President|To 29.10.22|Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|2.|Andrew Ewer|President||Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|3.|Helen Budge|Treasurer||Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|4.|Christopher Gale|General Secretary|From 12.10.22|Neonatal Society<br>Committee|





## **Ordinary Members acting in the current year** 

Dr Ela Chakkerpani (demitted committee office in 2022) 

Professor Lucy Chappell (demitted committee office in 2022) 

Dr Kevin Goss 

Professor K Luyt (demitted committee office in 2022) 

Dr Subhabrata Mitra (took up committee office in 2022) 

Professor Don Sharkey 

Dr Gemma Sullivan (took up committee office in 2022) 

Professor Rachel Tribe (took up committee office in 2022) 

## **Neonatal Society ‘Receipt and Payment’ Accounts for the calendar year 2022** 

## **Income and Expenditure** 

||2022|
|---|---|
|INCOME||
|Subscriptions|£9300.45|
|Meeting Sponsorship|£5369.00|
|Bank interest received|£1.13|
|Meeting registrations|£11322.43|
|Total income|£25993.01|
|||
|EXPENDITURE||
|Meeting Costs|-£31181.84|
|Committee/Trustee expenses|-£162.98|
|Student prizes|-£100|
|Website costs|-£3029|
|Total Expenditure|-£34473.82|
|||
|Net loss|-£8480.81|



## **Balance Sheet** 

||**2022**|
|---|---|
|ACCUMULATED FUNDS||
|Balance at start of year|£71175.20|
|Loss for financial year|-£8480.81|
|**Assets at end of year**|**£62694.39**|





## **Declarations** 

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 5.10.2023 and were signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees 

|**Signature**||
|---|---|
|**Full Name**|Professor Helen Budge|
|**Position**|The Neonatal Society Treasurer|
|**Date**|30.10.2023|






## **The Neonatal Society Trustees’ Annual Accounts** 

**for the period 1[st] January 2022 to 31[st] December 2022 inclusive** 

## **Charity name:** 

The Neonatal Society 

## **Registered charity number:** 

Charity number: 260349 

**Objectives and Activities:** The Neonatal Society was founded in 1959 to bring together scientists and clinicians with an interest in the fetus and newborn. The object of the Society is the promotion of Neonatal Science in any manner which now is or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable. The Society has a well-established track record of fostering new research by the award of prizes to leading young investigators, as well as a student research bursary. 

## **Charity’s principal address** 

The Neonatal Society Co/ Professor Helen Budge Academic Child Health Nottingham University Hospital Queens Medical Centre Derby Road Nottingham, NG7 2UH 

## **Bank** 

Barclays Bank PLC 

## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

||**Trustee name**|**Office**|**Dates acted**<br>**when not for**<br>**whole year**|**Name of person (or**<br>**body) entitled to**<br>**appoint trustee (if**<br>**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|1.|James Boardman|Past President|To 29.10.22|Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|2.|Andrew Ewer|President||Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|3.|Helen Budge|Treasurer||Neonatal Society<br>Committee|
|4.|Christopher Gale|General Secretary|From 12.10.22|Neonatal Society<br>Committee|





## **Ordinary Members acting in the current year** 

Dr Ela Chakkerpani (demitted committee office in 2022) 

Professor Lucy Chappell (demitted committee office in 2022) 

Dr Kevin Goss 

Professor K Luyt (demitted committee office in 2022) 

Dr Subhabrata Mitra (took up committee office in 2022) 

Professor Don Sharkey 

Dr Gemma Sullivan (took up committee office in 2022) 

Professor Rachel Tribe (took up committee office in 2022) 

## **Neonatal Society ‘Receipt and Payment’ Accounts for the calendar year 2022** 

## **Income and Expenditure** 

||2022|
|---|---|
|INCOME||
|Subscriptions|£9300.45|
|Meeting Sponsorship|£5369.00|
|Bank interest received|£1.13|
|Meeting registrations|£11322.43|
|Total income|£25993.01|
|||
|EXPENDITURE||
|Meeting Costs|-£31181.84|
|Committee/Trustee expenses|-£162.98|
|Student prizes|-£100|
|Website costs|-£3029|
|Total Expenditure|-£34473.82|
|||
|Net loss|-£8480.81|



## **Balance Sheet** 

||**2022**|
|---|---|
|ACCUMULATED FUNDS||
|Balance at start of year|£71175.20|
|Loss for financial year|-£8480.81|
|**Assets at end of year**|**£62694.39**|





## **Declarations** 

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 5.10.2023 and were signed on behalf of the charity’s Trustees 

**Signature Full Name** Professor Helen Budge **Position** The Neonatal Society Treasurer **Date** 30.10.2023 



**Neonatal Society** 

## **Independent Examiner's report to the Trustees of the Neonatal Society for the year ended 31 December 2022** 

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2022 which are set out above. 

## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner** 

The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Charity Commission guidance on the Charities Act 2006 and that an independent examination is needed. 

It is my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts 

- follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners 

- state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## **Basis of independent examiner's report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and an audit opinion on the accounts is not given. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

In connection with my examination, 

- the accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act and 

- no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the Trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that proper accounting records are kept in accordance the Act 

- no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 


**Signature** - 

**Full Name** - Michael Symonds 

**Qualifications** – BSc, PhD 

**Address** - [redacted] michael.symonds@nottingham.ac.uk **Date** - 30/10/2023