**Registered charity number: 268830** 

# **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **UNAUDITED** 

**TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

||**CHARITY INFORMATION**|
|---|---|
|**Trustees**|J. A. Stephen|
||Dr. N Pyke|
||Prof. P. A. Racey|
||Dr. N. M. Hammond|
||Dr. C. J. Michaels|
|**Registered charity number**|268830|
|**Registered office**|Bowerwood House|
||15 St Botolphs Road|
||Sevenoaks|
||Kent|
||TN13 3AQ|
|**Accountants**|Martin Lunt FCA|
||Creasey Son & Wickenden|
||Chartered Accountants|
||Hearts of Oak House|
||Pembroke Road|
||Sevenoaks|
||Kent TN13 1XR|
|**Bankers**|National Westminster Bank Plc|
||67 High Street|
||Sevenoaks|
||Kent TN13 1JY|
|**Investment Managers**|Rathbones|
||1 Curzon Street|
||London|
||W1J 5FB|





## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

||**CONTENTS**||
|---|---|---|
|||Page|
|**Trustees' report**||1 - 6|
|**Independent examiner's report**||7|
|**Statement of financial activities**||8 - 10|
|**Balance sheet**||11|
|**Notes to the financial statements**||12 - 22|





## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2025. 

## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

Charity Number: 268830 

Address of Charity Bowerwood House 15 St. Botolph's Road Sevenoaks Kent    TN13 3AQ 

Independent Examiner Martin Lunt FCA Creasey Son & Wickenden Hearts of Oak House Pembroke Road Sevenoaks Kent    TN13 1XR 

Bankers National Westminster Bank PLC 67 High Street, Sevenoaks Kent    TN13 1JY 

The Trustees serving during the year were: 

J. A. Stephen (Chairman) Dr. N. Pyke Prof. P. A. Racey Dr. N. M. Hammond Dr. C. J. Michaels 

Trust staff: 

Dr. P. J. J. Bates Mrs. B. Lanzinger-Bates 

Page 1 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Working title** 

The working title of the Trust is "Harrison Institute, Centre for Systematics and Biodiversity Research", for which the Charity Commission has granted approval. 

## **Governing documents** 

The Trust was created on 27th April, 1971 by a Deed of Settlement made between J. M. Harrison, J. G. Harrison, and D. L. Harrison. A Scheme augmenting the powers available to the trustees in connection with the administration of the Trust was authorised by the Charity Commission on 30th August, 2000. 

## **Appointment of Trustees** 

The Scheme requires that the appointment of a Trustee must be made by the Trustees at a special meeting called by the Chairman, or any two Trustees, provided that 21 days' notice of such meeting is given. 

## **Trustee induction and training** 

Upon appointment, new trustees sign the Register of Trustees and, in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme, are given a copy of the latest Annual Report and Statement of Accounts together with a copy of the governing documents of the Charity. Legal advice on aspects of the Trustees' responsibilities is sought where appropriate and passed on to the Trustees, usually at annual or extraordinary general meetings. 

## **Remuneration policy** 

The trustees aim to develop and maintain remuneration strategies and policies in line with the objectives of the Trust in order to retain and motivate staff based on their contribution to the Trust's activities. In setting salary levels, the trustees will have regard to equivalent pay structures in similar research organisations both in the public and private sectors. The trustees review salaries of key management personnel on an annual basis. 

## **Organisation** 

The daily running of the Trust is undertaken by the Trust staff. Regular contact with, and consultation of, the Trustees is effected through annual and extraordinary general meetings. 

## **Related parties** 

The Trust is associated with Kent Wildlife Trust, which is also a registered charity. The only association between the two trusts is that there is a collection of mounted birds and fossils belonging to The Harrison Zoological Museum Trust displayed at the Interpretative Centre at the Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. These specimens are subject to a long-term loan agreement made originally between The Harrison Zoological Museum Trust and the Jeffery Harrison Memorial Trust. The two trusts operate separately and there are no financial dealings between them. 

## **Risk Management** 

The Trustees examine the major risks that the Trust faces each financial year. The Trust has systems in place to monitor and control these risks to mitigate any impact that they may have on the Trust in the future. The Trustees have appointed Rathbones Investment Management Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, to advise on investment of the Trust fund. The Trust's annual accounts are examined independently by Creasey, Son & Wickenden, who are registered to carry on audit work and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. 

Page 2 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **PROOF OF THE TRUST'S PUBLIC BENEFIT PURSUANT TO THE CHARITIES ACT, 2011** 

In order to comply with guidance issued by the Charity Commission, ten questions were addressed during the course of a general meeting held on 23rd January 2025, the answers to which gave the trustees reason to believe, firstly, that the ongoing activities of the Trust passed the test of public benefit and that the Trust was, accordingly, in compliance with the requirements of the Charities Act, 2011 and, secondly, that the Trustees continued to execute their duties with due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance as detailed in the Charity Commission's guidance documents PB1, PB2, and PB3. 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

The Trust has been set up as an institute for the systematic study of mammals and birds with its main objective being the conservation of biodiversity. In bringing about its objective, the Trust is involved in the advancement of science, education, capacity building, environmental protection and community development. Much information is summarised on the Institute's website - https://www.harrison-institute.org/. 

The Institute's collections are intended for research and educational purposes and are for the use of the international scientific community. Collaborative projects, mainly in the Asian and African tropical and subtropical regions, are undertaken with a range of international academic institutions and local communities and involve training of in-country staff and students in biodiversity research and conservation, and environmental protection. In addition, the Institute carries out community-based conservation. 

The Trust has the full use of the premises at Bowerwood House, 15 St. Botolph's Road, Sevenoaks, Kent. As shown in the accounts, certain expenses incurred in the refurbishment of the above premises have been capitalised, in order to accommodate the museum collections. 

The Harrison Institute is currently in the process of reorganisation in order to focus further on its commitment to train and empower the next generation of young biodiversity scientists (students and early-career researchers) and conservationists from the UK, Africa and Asia. Details of these objectives are available in its Masterplan, which is posted online at https://www.harrison-institute.org/aboutus. 

As part of this reorganisation, the Institute is currently developing an enhanced relationship with the Centre for Ecology and Conservation, the University of Exeter, with the aim of relocating in 2025 to the university's Penryn Campus. 

As previously reported, the reorganisation has also led to the transfer of the Institute's holding of over 19,000 bird skins to the zoological collections of the Natural History Museum Vienna and the Institute's palaeontological collection of some 20,000 fossil mammal specimens to the Natural History Museum London. Both transfers taking place in 2022-23. 

Meanwhile, the Harrison Institute has retained its internationally important collection of small mammals (approximately 20,000 specimens). These will remain integral to its research and training programs, especially relating to faunas of Africa, Arabia and Asia 

Page 3 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

## **Biodiversity conservation** 

During the year the Institute has further developed its collaboration with a former MSc student, Mr Tshering Dendup, who is an honorary research fellow of the Harrison Institute and teacher based in Phuntshothang Middle Secondary School, southern Bhutan. Institute staff, in collaboration with Mr Dendup and with colleagues from the Natural History Museum Vienna and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), have submitted a scientific publication based on the capacity-building programme, entitled 'A Schoolsbased, science-based, participatory approach to biodiversity conservation in Bhutan'. The Institute supports the project's website https://www.pmssnatureclub.org/ and supports all collaborative partners in a range of grant applications. 

## **Biodiversity research** 

Despite the political and security problems of Myanmar, the Harrison Institute continues to support (through Zoom and email) the Birds of Myanmar project, in which it collaborates with the Myanmar Bird and Nature Society (MBNS), the Natural History Museum, Vienna and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). During the year, one scientific publication on various aspects of Myanmar's bird fauna was published. 

The Institute continues to promote the training of the next generation of biodiversity scientists in West/Central Africa. As a result of a previous workshop, the Institute continues to actively mentor and co-supervise one PhD student, Ms Aicha Gomeh-Djame from Cameroon. In addition to being a student of the University of Yaounde 1, Aicha is also an honorary student of the Harrison Institute and appears as such on publications. The Institute supported a research visit of Aicha to study the zoological collections of the Harrison Institute and successfully supported her to raise funds for her research from a range of international grant-giving bodies, including Rufford, CARN, SCCS, and BCI (Bat Conservation International). Previously, the Institute provided expertise in the writing, designing, and hosting of a website for Aicha and other young bat researchers from Cameroon with the bilingual website (French/English) - https://www.batcameroon-Inp.org/home. Aicha has recently completed a paper on her bat research in the Northwestern Congolian Lowland Forest of Southeast Cameroon, including the description of two new species of bat. This is a collaborative project involving scientists from BiBio-Natural Sciences Museum Granollers (Spain), BOKU University Vienna (Austria), Estacion Biologica de Donana (CSIC) (Spain), Harrison Institute, and University of Yaounde (Cameroon). 

Over the year, the Institute's honorary research fellows contributed to the publication record of the Institute - details available at http://www.harrison-Institute.org/biodiversity-research. 

## **Outreach** 

The Institute continues to updated its website - www.harrison-institute.org and its Masterplan - https://issuu.com/paulbates1/docs/harrison_institute_uk_masterplan_1. 

As part of its commitment to scientific outreach, it supports the website for the schools-based Bhutan conservation project - https://www.pmssnatureclub.org/ and made a video  report for the Bhutan training programme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj-TMaWC87A&t=2. 

Noteworthy visitors included Roula Pappa, Neil Adams, Noelia Galan, Ergian Musro and Ellie Clark from the Department of Paleontology, Natural History Museum London. Emily Tilby and Amy Moran from the Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge. Pat and Mary Morris (formerly of Royal Holloway College, University of London) for the reorganisation and transfer of the bird and library collections. 

Page 4 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **Investment performance** 

The Trustees maintain a medium risk investment objective with the aim of protecting capital and generating sufficient investment income to enable the Trust to carry out its stated charitable objectives and to cover its general and specific operating costs. 

Income of £55,128 was received from the Trust's investments in stocks and shares during the financial year while property investments generated gross income of £16,700. 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

The deficit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £992,805 _(2024 - surplus £70,957)_ . 

The Trust has three main sources of income, from investments, donations and grant receipts. 

The Trust's investments continue to generate sufficient funds to enable the Charity to continue operating on a day to day basis. 

## **General investment powers and authority** 

The Trust is empowered to invest monies not immediately required for its purpose in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit and within the law. 

## **Reserves policy** 

As stated in note 15 the unrestricted funds at the balance sheet date are £6,058,210 ( _2023: £6,131,747)_ . These funds are retained in order to finance the assets and general operations of the Charity. The Trustees consider the level of funds held to be adequate. 

The Trust also has restricted funds at the balance sheet date of £nil ( _2024: £2,578_ ) 

## **Resources** 

The Trust's assets are considered by the Trustees to be sufficient to meet its obligations. 

## **Principal risks** 

The Trustees consider that the three principal risks to which the Trust is exposed are: 

1. The loss of grant income, from which the Trust derives the majority of its current funding for overseas projects; 

2. A significant downturn in global financial markets, which may have an effect on the Trust's capital position and present a liquidity risk; 

3. A negative effect on the value of the Trust's investments and the loss of access to E.U. funding on account of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union. 

## **Factors affecting future financial performance** 

The Trust generates the majority of its income from governmental and non-governmental grants and from investments in shares and property. Although the success of grant applications is, by their nature, uncertain and investment income may fall and rise according to market conditions, the Trustees are not aware currently of any factors that are likely to have a substantive effect on the short-term financial performance of the Trust. 

Page 5 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** 

To ensure that the Trust is able to achieve its charitable objectives, one of the principal concerns of the Trustees is to maintain an total return level (capital and income) in excess of the Trust's annual expenditure. This has been achieved to date by the investment of the Trust Fund in a range of securities and fixed interest accounts. The Trustees continue to seek and follow professional advice in respect of investments. 

Grant funding is sought where appropriate to facilitate scientific projects. 

## **Trustees' responsibilities statement** 

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus or deficit of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies for the Charity's financial statements and then apply them consistently; 

- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the SORP, Accounting by Charities and with applicable UK Accounting Standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

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

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

This report was approved by the board on 20 January 2026 and signed on its behalf. 

**J. A. Stephen** Trustee 

Page 6 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAUDITED STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2020** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Harrison Zoological Museum Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 5 April 2025 , which are set out on pages 8 to 22. 

## _Responsibilities and basis of report_ 

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). 

I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

I have undertaken this examination in accordance with the requirements of the Auditing Practices Board Ethical Standards, including the "Provisions Available for Small Entities", in the circumstances set out in note 3 to these financial statements. 

## _Independent examiner's statement_ 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

- (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 

- (2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

- (3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

## **Martin Lunt FCA** 

Creasey Son & Wickenden 

Chartered Accountants Hearts of Oak House Pembroke Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1XR 20 January 2026 

Page 7 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**<br>**Donations and legacies:**<br>Grants<br>**Charitable activities:**<br>Consultancy, lecture fees and sundry income<br>Royalty fees and book sales<br>**Investments:**<br>Bank and building society interest<br>Dividends and fixed interest<br>Investment property income<br>**Total incoming resources**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**7,115**<br>**130**<br>**8,415**<br>**55,128**<br>**16,700**<br>**87,488**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|**2025**<br>**total**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**7,115**<br>**130**<br>**8,415**<br>**55,128**<br>**16,700**<br>**87,488**|_2024_<br>_total_<br>_£_<br>_6,000_<br>_7,307_<br>_419_<br>_8,912_<br>_67,550_<br>_16,500_<br>_106,688_|
|---|---|---|---|---|



Page 8 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>**Raising funds**<br>Investment management costs<br>**11,073**<br>Investment property costs<br>**7,598**<br>**18,671**<br>**Charitable activities:**<br>Scientific staff salaries, pension and National<br>Insurance contributions<br>**95,386**<br>Research, training and outreach<br>**2,707**<br>Travel and subsistence<br>**-**<br>Subscriptions<br>**464**<br>Light, heat and water<br>**3,323**<br>Repairs and maintenance<br>**10,605**<br>Insurance<br>**5,190**<br>Depreciation - equipment, fixtures and fittings<br>**1,532**<br>Stationery, postage and office supplies<br>**3,442**<br>Telephone and internet<br>**925**<br>Sundries<br>**224**<br>Bank charges<br>**116**<br>Rates<br>**62**<br>Accountancy fees<br>**4,920**<br>Legal and professional fees<br>**-**<br>**128,896**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**2,591**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**2,591**|**2025**<br>**total**<br>**£**<br>**11,073**<br>**7,598**<br>**18,671**<br>**95,386**<br>**5,298**<br>**-**<br>**464**<br>**3,323**<br>**10,605**<br>**5,190**<br>**1,532**<br>**3,442**<br>**925**<br>**224**<br>**116**<br>**62**<br>**4,920**<br>**-**<br>**131,487**|_2024_<br>_total_<br>_£_<br>_11,067_<br>_5,512_<br>_16,579_<br>_95,164_<br>_25,611_<br>_241_<br>_295_<br>_6,421_<br>_11,295_<br>_4,767_<br>_2,006_<br>_2,529_<br>_874_<br>_282_<br>_121_<br>_64_<br>_4,800_<br>_6,376_<br>_160,846_|
|---|---|---|---|



Page 9 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**Total resources expended**<br>**147,567**<br>**Gains and losses on investment assets:**<br>Unrealised gains/(losses) on investment<br>property<br>**(807,507)**<br>Realised gains/(losses) on investment assets<br>**35,733**<br>Unrealised gains/(losses) on investment assets<br>**(158,360)**<br>**(930,134)**<br>**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>**(990,213)**<br>**Transfer between funds**<br>**(13)**<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**(990,226)**<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Funds balance brought forward<br>**6,058,211**<br>**Funds balance carried forward**<br>**5,067,985**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**2,591**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**(2,591)**<br>**13**<br>**(2,578)**<br>**2,578**<br>**-**|**2025**<br>**total**<br>**£**<br>**150,158**<br>**(807,507)**<br>**35,733**<br>**(158,360)**<br>**(930,134)**<br>**(992,804)**<br>**-**<br>**(992,804)**<br>**6,060,789**<br>**5,067,985**|_2024_<br>_total_<br>_£_<br>_177,425_<br>_-_<br>_(23,955)_<br>_23,734_<br>_(221)_<br>_(70,958)_<br>_-_<br>_(70,958)_<br>_6,131,747_<br>_6,060,789_|
|---|---|---|---|



Page 10 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST) REGISTERED NUMBER: 268830** 

## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5 APRIL 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>8<br>Investments<br>9<br>Investment property<br>10<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors: amounts falling due within one year<br>11<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>12<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within one<br>year<br>13<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>**Capital and reserves**<br>Restricted income funds<br>Unrestricted income funds|**£**<br>**4,371**<br>**186,419**<br>**190,790**<br>**(9,833)**|**2025**<br>_£_<br>**2,226,542**<br>**2,235,486**<br>**425,000**<br>**4,887,028**<br>**180,957**<br>**5,067,985**<br>**-**<br>**5,067,985**<br>**5,067,985**|**£**<br>_3,272_<br>_230,321_<br>_233,593_<br>_(7,696)_|_2024_<br>_£_<br>_3,010,581_<br>_2,374,311_<br>_450,000_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_5,834,892_<br>_225,897_|
|||||_6,060,789_|
|||||_2,578_<br>_6,058,211_|
|||||_6,060,789_|



The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 20 January 2026. 

## **J. A. Stephen** 

Trustee 

The notes on pages 12 to 22 form part of these financial statements. 

Page 11 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **1. Accounting policies** 

## **1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements** 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 

The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the Trust and rounded to the nearest £. They present information for this Trust alone. 

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Charity's accounting policies (see note 2). 

The following principal accounting policies have been applied: 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern. 

## **1.3 Income recognition** 

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

Donations, are recognised when the Trust has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfillment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. 

Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity. 

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. Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio. 

All other income is accounted for under the accruals concept. 

Page 12 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **1.4 Expenditure recognition** 

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. 

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. 

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to statutory audit and legal fees together with an apportionment of overhead and support costs. 

## **1.5 Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model, other than investment properties, are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. 

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, on a reducing balance basis. 

Depreciation is provided on the following basis: 

Equipment, fixtures and fittings - 15% or over 4 years straight line 

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date. 

All assets costing more than £100 are capitalised. 

## **1.6 Investment property** 

Investment property is initially measured at cost and subsequently at fair value at the reporting date. No depreciation is provided on investment property. 

## **1.7 Valuation of investments** 

Investments in listed company shares are remeasured to market value at each Balance Sheet date. Gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activity as they arise. 

Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between the sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the Statement of Financial Activities. 

Page 13 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **1.8 Debtors** 

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. 

## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value. 

## **1.10 Creditors** 

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## **1.11 Funds structure** 

The Trust has a number of restricted income funds to account for situations where a grant has been received for a particular project. 

All other funds are unrestricted income funds and can be used as the trustees require. The funds held in each of these categories are disclosed in note 15. 

## **1.12 Value added tax** 

The Trust is not able to reclaim VAT suffered on costs. Such costs are therefore shown inclusive of that VAT cost. 

## **1.13 Pensions** 

## **Defined contribution pension plan** 

The Charity operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Charity pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Charity has no further payments obligations. 

The contributions are recognised as an expense in the Statement of Financial Activity when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Charity in independently administered funds. 

All the pension cost has been allocated to unrestricted funds. 

Page 14 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **2. Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty** 

The preparation of the financial statements requires Trustees to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimates means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. The following judgments have had the most significant effect upon amounts recognised in these financial statements: 

## _Useful economic lives of tangible assets_ 

The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in estimates of useful lives and residual values of assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technology advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 8 for the carrying amount of the property, plant and equipment. 

## _Investment property_ 

The annual fair value movement is sensitive to changes in housing market which the charity can not control. The fair value is re-assessed annually by the Trustees and is based on the sales value of similar property in the area. 

## **3. Other work performed by the independent examiner** 

In common with many other organisations of our size and nature we use our independent examiner to assist with the preparation of accounting records, preparation of these financial statements, and to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities. 

## **4. Net incoming resources** 

The net incoming resources is stated after charging: 

||**2025**|_2024_|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|_£_|
|Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|**1,532**|_2,006_|
|Defined contribution pension cost|**3,890**|_3,668_|



During the year, no trustee received any emoluments _(2024 - £NIL)_ . 

Page 15 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **5. Analysis of income by financial instruments** 

|**Dividend**<br>**and fixed**<br>**interest**<br>**2025**<br>**Gain/(loss)**<br>**on**<br>**investment**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Financial assets measured at fair value<br>through SOFA<br>**55,128**<br>**(930,134)**<br>Financial assets measured at cost less<br>impairment<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**55,128**<br>**(930,134)**<br>**Independent examiners' remuneration**<br>**Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner and its associates**<br>**in respect of:**<br>Independent examiners fee<br>All other services<br>**Employees**<br>Staff costs were as follows:<br>Wages and salaries<br>Social security costs<br>Cost of defined contribution scheme|_Dividend_<br>_and fixed_<br>_interest_<br>_2024_<br>_£_<br>_67,550_<br>_-_<br>_67,550_<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**2,200**<br>**2,720**<br>**4,920**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**87,000**<br>**4,496**<br>**3,890**<br>**95,386**|_Gain/(loss)_<br>_on_<br>_investment_<br>_2024_<br>_£_<br>_(221)_<br>_-_<br>_(221)_<br>_2024_<br>_£_<br>_2,100_<br>_2,720_<br>_4,820_<br>_2024_<br>_£_<br>_87,000_<br>_4,496_<br>_3,668_<br>_95,164_|
|---|---|---|



## **6. Independent examiners' remuneration** 

## **7. Employees** 

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000. 

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: 

||**2025**|_2024_|
|---|---|---|
||**No.**<br>|_No._|
|Scientific staff|**2**|_2_|



Page 16 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **8. Tangible fixed assets** 

|**Cost or valuation**<br>At 6 April 2024<br>Revaluations<br>At 5 April 2025<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 6 April 2024<br>Charge for period on owned assets<br>On revalued assets<br>At 5 April 2025<br>**Net book value**<br>At 5 April 2025<br>_At 5 April 2024_|**Freehold**<br>**property**<br>**£**<br>**3,017,611**<br>**(792,611)**<br>**2,225,000**<br>**10,104**<br>**-**<br>**(10,104)**<br>**-**<br>**2,225,000**<br>_3,007,507_|**Equipment,**<br>**fixtures and**<br>**fittings**<br>**£**<br>**73,637**<br>**-**<br>**73,637**<br>**70,563**<br>**1,532**<br>**-**<br>**72,095**<br>**1,542**<br>_3,074_|**Total**<br>**£**<br>**3,091,248**<br>**(792,611)**<br>**2,298,637**<br>**80,667**<br>**1,532**<br>**(10,104)**<br>**72,095**<br>**2,226,542**<br>_3,010,581_|
|---|---|---|---|



Page 17 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **9. Fixed asset investments** 

|**Cost or valuation**<br>At 6 April 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>Revaluations<br>At 5 April 2025<br>**Net book value**<br>At 5 April 2025<br>_At 5 April 2024_<br>All listed investments are registered in the UK.|**Listed**<br>**investments**<br>**£**<br>**2,374,311**<br>**1,538,376**<br>**(1,518,841)**<br>**(158,360)**<br>**2,235,486**<br>**2,235,486**<br>_2,374,311_|
|---|---|



Page 18 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **10. Investment property** 

|**Valuation**<br>At 6 April 2024<br>Surplus on revaluation<br>**At 5 April 2025**<br>**Comprising**<br>Cost<br>Annual revaluation surplus/(deficit):<br>2015<br>2016<br>2017<br>2025<br>At 5 April 2025|**Freehold**<br>**investment**<br>**property**<br>**£**<br>**50,000**<br>**(25,000)**<br>**25,000**<br>**42,500**<br>**2,500**<br>**5,000**<br>**-**<br>**(25,000)**<br>**25,000**|**Long term**<br>**leasehold**<br>**investment**<br>**property**<br>**£**<br>**400,000**<br>**-**<br>**400,000**<br>**333,986**<br>**16,014**<br>**15,000**<br>**35,000**<br>**-**<br>**400,000**|**Total**<br>**£**<br>**450,000**<br>**(25,000)**<br>**425,000**<br>**376,486**<br>**18,514**<br>**20,000**<br>**35,000**<br>**(25,000)**<br>**425,000**|
|---|---|---|---|



Freehold investment property relates to a piece of land adjacent to Bowerwood House. 

Long term leasehold investment property relates to a property which the Institute purchased during the year ended 5 April 2013. 

The land was valued by the Trustees in April 2025 at £25,000. The value was based on the market value as at that date. 

The investment property was valued by the Cavendish residential letting and property management in April 2017 at £400,000. The Trustees do not consider that this value has changed. 

## **11. Debtors** 

|Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**23**<br>**4,348**<br>**4,371**|_2024_<br>_£_<br>_23_<br>_3,249_|
|---|---|---|
|||_3,272_|



Page 19 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **12. Cash and cash equivalents** 

|**Cash and cash equivalents**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|_2024_|
||**£**|_£_|
|Cash at bank and in hand|**186,419**|_230,321_|



## **13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year** 

|Other taxation and social security<br>Accruals and deferred income|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**2,495**<br>**7,338**<br>**9,833**|_2024_<br>_£_<br>_197_<br>_7,499_|
|---|---|---|
|||_7,696_|



## **14. Financial instruments** 

|**Financial instruments**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|_2024_|
||**£**|_£_|
|**Financial assets**|||
|Financial assets measured at fair value through the statement of financial|||
|activity|**2,660,486**|_2,824,311_|



Financial assets measured at fair value through the statement of financial activity comprise of listed investments and investment properties. 

Investment in equities and fixed interest securities are all traded in quoted public markets, primarily the London Stock Exchange. Holdings in common investment funds, unit trusts and open-ended investment companies are at the bid price. The basis of fair value for quoted investments is equivalent to the market value, using bid price. Asset sales and purchases are recognised at the date of trade at cost (that is their transaction value). 

Investment property which is valued at open market value by the trustees every year. 

The Trust manages these investment risks by retaining expert advisors and operating an investment policy that provides for a high degree of diversification of holdings with investment asset classes that are quoted on recognised stock exchanges. The Trust does not make use of derivatives and similar complex financial instruments as it takes the view that investments are held for their longer term yield total return and historic studies of quoted financial instruments have shown that volatility in any particular 5 year period will normally be corrected. 

Page 20 



**THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **15. Analysis of charitable funds** 

|At 6 April 2024<br>Incoming resources<br>Resources expended<br>Transfers between funds<br>Net realised gains/(losses) on investments<br>Net unrealised gains/(losses) on investments|**Un-**<br>**restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**fund**<br>**£**<br>**6,058,211**<br>**87,488**<br>**(147,567)**<br>**(13)**<br>**35,733**<br>**(965,867)**<br>**5,067,985**|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Rufford**<br>**Foundation**<br>**£**<br>**2,578**<br>**-**<br>**(2,591)**<br>**13**<br>**-**<br>**-**|
|---|---|---|
|||**-**|



## **Name, description, nature and purpose of the fund:** 

## **General Fund** 

The un-restricted general funds are available to be spent for any purposes of the Trust. 

## **Rufford Foundation** 

This relates to a grant received in the year from the Rufford Foundation for a bat conservation project in Loobeke National Park (Southeast Cameroon). 

## **16. Analysis of net assets between funds** 

|Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Cash in bank and hand<br>Other net assets/ (liabilities)|**Un-**<br>**restricted**<br>**fund**<br>**£**<br>**2,226,542**<br>**2,660,486**<br>**186,419**<br>**(5,462)**<br>**5,067,985**|**Restricted**<br>**fund**<br>**£**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**|
|---|---|---|
|||**-**|



Page 21 



## **THE HARRISON INSTITUTE (THE HARRISON ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM TRUST)** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025** 

## **17. Pension commitments** 

The Trust operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Trust in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Trust to the fund and amounted to £3,890 ( _2024 - £3,668_ ). 

## **18. Related party transactions** 

During the year no trustees ( _2024: none_ ) were reimbursed for their costs of travelling to attend the AGM, the aggregate amount of expenses in the year being £nil ( _2024: £nil_ ). 

There have been no other related party transactions in the year. 

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