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| FORD BRITAIN TRUST
Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2025
Registered Charity No. 269410
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST Table of Contents
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Page
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31st March 2025 2
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Ford Britain Trust 5
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st March 2025 6
Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2025 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
The Trustees present their report and financial statements of Ford Britain Trust (the Charity) for the year ended 31st March 2025, prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) FRS 102 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers
Head office
Ford Britain Trust GB15 02BD20A Arterial Road Laindon, Basildon Essex SS15 6EE Registered Charity No: 269410
Bankers
HSBC Bank plc Level 30 8 Canada Square London E14 5HQ
Charities Official Investment Fund 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET
Solicitors
Wortley Byers LLP Cathedral Place Brentwood Essex CM14 4ES
Independent Examiners
Bishop Fleming Audit Limited 10 Temple Back Bristol BS1 6FL
Trustees
Under the provisions of the amended Trust Deed there shall be not more than twelve nor fewer than four Trustees. During the year and to date the Trustees were:
Mrs J L Skerry, HR Director, Ford Motor Company Ltd Mr P R Bailey, former Env. Engineer Supervisor, Ford Motor Company Ltd Mr D S Russell, former Industrial Platform Digitalization & Transformation Chief, Ford of Europe Dr J-A Sealy, former Assistant Director – National Accounts, CBI Mrs L T Nicoll, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager, Ford Motor Company Ltd Ms E W James, former HR Director, FCE Bank Plc Ms J Ball, former Princes' Trust Coordinator
In line with the amended Trust Deed, all Trustees have been nominated by Ford Motor Company Ltd.
Administration
Ms S Wheale is the director of the Trust. The day-to-day administration task is presently run by Ms E Witherington supported by Ms D Chennells (director) and Ms E Hill (accountant).
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
Aims and Objectives
The Ford Britain Trust (formerly the Ford of Britain Trust) was created by Trust Deed on 1 April 1975 (amended in July 2004) for the advancement of education and other charitable purposes beneficial to the community. In making grants, the Trustees pay particular attention to those organisations that are located in areas where Ford Motor Company Ltd has a long standing association with local communities due to the location of the Company's activities. Particular consideration is also given to organisations and projects which support the principles embodied in the Company's policies on Diversity.
Public Benefit
As explained in our Aims and Objectives, the Ford Britain Trust serves the communities in which Ford Motor Company Ltd and its employees are located. The Trust achieves this by making grants to not-for-profit organisations, mainly registered charities and schools in support of:
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youth development
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schools and education; with particular emphasis on special educational needs
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disabilities
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community related activities
Through these grants, a broad advancement in a range of issues including education, equality, diversity issues and the relief of poverty are addressed.
Other than limitations related to geographical location, no other restrictions apply to the grant making of the Trust, although the Trust favours applications linked to smaller projects supporting initiatives as listed above.
The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our Aims and Objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
Grant Making Policy
Applications are considered from registered charities or organisations deemed to be charitable. Generally, decisions are made at Trustees' meetings twice a year for one-off grants for specific capital projects or parts of a project. Applications for core funding and major building projects are rarely considered. In addition, schedules of small grants of up to £250 per application are approved approximately three times a year by a Trustee (and subsequently reviewed at the next full Trustees' meeting). Grants are made in five categories: Community Service, Schools/Education, Special Needs Education, Disability, and Youth.
Investment Policy
Funds are held in the Charities Official Investment Fund (COIF) deposit account as disclosed in Note 4.
Reserves Policy
The Trust's policy is to ensure that it has sufficient resources to continue to operate for in excess of one full calendar year. Ford Motor Company Ltd have made the decision to contribute £100,000 for one year and FCE Bank Plc have approval to make contributions of £15,000 during the year.
The Trustees intend to approve grants over the next year and secure further funding to ensure cash resources are sufficient to maintain grant making for in excess of 12 months.
Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Trust is exposed and the processes in place to mitigate those risks. An annual review is conducted at a Trustees’ meeting.
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
Summary of Financial Activities
The source of the Trust's income was historically periodic donations made by Ford Motor Company Ltd and FCE Bank Plc. Additional funding in the year was received from the Dunton Charity Committee (DDC) and represent small donations from vendors who sell goods on the Dunton site with a provision that 10% be donated to Ford Britain Trust. The DDC funds will be treated as restricted cash and will only fund grants where the beneficiary is an employee, former employee or a member of their family.
Trust expenditures (see Notes 3a and 3b), amounting to £160,158 (2024: £132,465) were predominantly in the form of grants and related support costs.
Ford Motor Company Ltd pays the salary of the director.
Grants
The Trustees met on three occasions (April 2024, October 2024, and March 2025) to approve grants of £146,722 (2024: £117,155).
Grants approved, paid and outstanding at 31st March 2025:
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Approved brought forward 1st April 2024 £ -
Approved during the year £ 146,722
Current year cancellations -
Prior year cancellations/adjustments (5,960)
Total approvals during the year 140,762
Paid during the year (140,762)
Carried forward 31st March 2025 £ -
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Note 3a – "Charitable Activities", provides an analysis of the number of grants made and the comparative figures for 2024.
The number of applications for financial support received by the Trust in the year to 31st March 2025 was 855 (2024: 830).
On behalf of the Trustees
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Lara Nicoll Jane Skerry
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28 January 2026
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FORD BRITAIN TRUST
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity'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.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no 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 charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 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.
This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Chris Trantham
Chris Trantham FCA Bishop Fleming Audit Limited Chartered Accountants 10 Temple Back Bristol BS1 6FL Date: 28 January 2026
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025
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2025 2024
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Voluntary income
Income from generated funds:
- Donations 7 £ 115,000 £ 342 £ 115,342 £ 115,440
Other income:
- Bank interest 12,599 - 12,599 11,762
Total income £ 127,599 £ 342 £ 127,941 £ 127,202
Expenditure on charitable activities
Charitable activities 3a £ (158,016) £ (342) £ (158,358) £ (130,865)
Governance costs 3b (1,800) - (1,800) (1,600)
Total expenditure £ (159,816) £ (342) £ (160,158) £ (132,465)
Net movement in funds for the year £ (32,217) £ - £ (32,217) £ (5,264)
Funds brought forward 1st April 349,043 - 349,043 354,307
Funds carried forward 31st March £ 316,826 £ - £ 316,826 £ 349,043
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 (Comparatives)
2024 2023
Notes Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Voluntary income
Income from generated funds:
- Donations 7 £ 115,000 £ 440 £ 115,440 £ 115,000
Other income:
- Bank interest 11,762 - 11,762 4,025
Total income £ 126,762 £ 440 £ 127,202 £ 119,025
Expenditure on charitable activities
Charitable activities 3a £ (130,425) £ (440) £ (130,865) £ (142,819)
Governance costs 3b (1,600) - (1,600) (1,670)
Total expenditure £ (132,025) £ (440) £ (132,465) £ (144,489)
Net movement in funds for the year £ (5,264) £ - £ (5,264) £ (25,464)
Funds brought forward 1st April 354,307 - 354,307 379,771
Funds carried forward 31st March £ 349,043 £ - £ 349,043 £ 354,307
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The notes on pages 9 - 12 form part of these financial statements.
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025
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Notes 2025 2024
Current assets
Cash at bank 4 £ 324,514 £ 353,658
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals and other creditors 5 (7,688) (4,615)
Net current assets 6 £ 316,826 £ 349,043
Trust funds
General trust funds £ 316,826 £ 349,043
Restricted funds - -
Total funds £ 316,826 £ 349,043
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The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by: 28 January 2026
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Lara Nicoll
Jane Skerry
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} } } } Trustees } } }
The notes on pages 9 - 12 form part of these financial statements.
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| Footnote | Page | |
|---|---|---|
| Note 1 | Basis of Accounting | 9 |
| Note 2 | Accounting Policies | 9 |
| Note 3 | Grant Categories | 10 |
| Note 4 | Cash at Bank | 11 |
| Note 5 | Accruals and Other Creditors | 11 |
| Note 6 | Net Current Assets | 12 |
| Note 7 | Voluntary Income | 12 |
| Note 8 | Employee Information | 12 |
| Note 9 | Related Company | 12 |
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
Ford Britain Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) updated on 1 January 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice) FRS 102 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The Trustees have elected to dispense with the cash flow statement which is not necessary under the requirements of the SORP.
NOTE 2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies are as follows:
a) Fund accounting: General Trust Funds include unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Trust and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are those funds available only to support grant applications with strong links to Ford Motor Company employees, retirees and their dependents.
b) Grants: Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed to the recipient.
c) Gifts in kind: Gifts in kind are included as voluntary income and expenditure at either market value or, where this is unavailable, at Trustees' estimate of their value to the charity.
d) Donations: Donations are accounted for on an accruals basis. Rebates of tax associated with donations are accounted for when received where there may be a degree of uncertainty over the claim.
e) Taxation: The Trust is a registered charity (no. 269410) and accordingly is exempt from all forms of direct taxation on its charitable activities.
f) Allocation of expenditure: Grants payable are charged to a specific grant category. Direct governance costs are charged to that activity. Support costs are all allocated to charitable activities with the exception of a portion of staff and agency costs that are estimated to relate to the time spent on Governance activities.
g) Going concern: The Trustees have considered the issue of whether the Trust is able to continue as a going concern and believe that, with the updates to the business plan that they have made, it is appropriate to compile the accounts on a going concern basis.
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 3. GRANT CATEGORIES
(a) Charitable Activities
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2025 No. of grants % 2024 No. of grants %
Community service £ 57,985 42 33 £ 59,185 68 52
Schools / education 55,309 53 42 20,764 24 18
Special needs education 2,430 3 2 10,747 7 5
Disability 18,960 10 8 11,653 8 6
Youth 12,038 19 15 14,806 23 18
Total approved grants incl. £ 146,722 127 100 £ 117,155 130 100
conditionals
Current year cancellations - -
Prior year cancellations (5,960) (3,500)
Net total grants £ 140,762 £ 113,655
Support costs (see Note 3b) 17,596 17,210
Total Charitable Activities £ 158,358 £ 130,865
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NOTE 3. GRANT CATEGORIES (Continued)
(a) Charitable Activities (Continued)
Significant grants to individual organisations are as follows:
| Significant grants to individual organisations are as follows: | |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| LWS Academy Special School | 3,000 |
| Humans MCR | 3,000 |
| Social Square (UK) | 3,000 |
| Everton Free School | 3,000 |
| East Ward Community | 3,000 |
| The Hope Centre | 3,000 |
| Woodlands Primary | 3,000 |
| Adventure Therapy | 3,000 |
| Learn N Grow | 3,000 |
| Redbridge Foodbank | 3,000 |
| Millhouse Primary School | 3,000 |
| Refreshing Minds | 3,000 |
| Rosewood School | 3,000 |
| Helping Disabilities | 3,000 |
| Claire House Childrens Hospice | 3,000 |
| Headway South Manchester & Stocport | 3,000 |
| Teen Dreams | 3,000 |
| SWF Sheds | 3,000 |
| Mayflower Primary School | 3,000 |
| Friends of Oakland | 2,997 |
| Lancasterian School | 2,988 |
| HCC Heathlands | 2,940 |
| Havering Womens Aid | 2,880 |
| Unity Works Enterprise | 2,800 |
| Green Fingers | 2,750 |
| Monksdown Primary School | 2,700 |
| Vantage CE Academies Trust | 2,668 |
| Autism Hampshire | 2,560 |
| Grants less than £2,500 | 64,439 |
| Total | £ 146,722 |
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 3. GRANT CATEGORIES (Continued)
(b) Support & Governance Costs
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2025 2024
Support costs
Staff costs (less governance costs) £ 17,596 £ 17,210
Total £ 17,596 £ 17,210
2025 2024
Governance costs
Independent examiner's fee 1,800 1,600
Total £ 1,800 £ 1,600
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NOTE 4. CASH AT BANK
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Charities Official Investment Fund (COIF) deposit account | £ 225,862 |
£ 224,825 |
| High interest cheque account | 98,652 | 128,833 |
| Total | £ 324,514 |
£ 353,658 |
| NOTE 5. ACCRUALS AND OTHER CREDITORS | 2025 | 2024 |
| Unpaid approved grants | £ - |
£ - |
| Staff costs | 4,268 | 2,995 |
| Independent examiner's fee | 3,420 | 1,620 |
| Total | £ 7,688 |
£ 4,615 |
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FORD BRITAIN TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 6. NET CURRENT ASSETS
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2025 2024
Cash at bank £ 324,514 £ 353,658
Donations receivable - -
Total current assets £ 324,514 £ 353,658
Creditors; amounts falling due within one year (7,688) (4,615)
Net current assets £ 316,826 £ 349,043
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NOTE 7. VOLUNTARY INCOME
Ford Britain Trust is provided with office accommodation and equipment free of charge. The associated costs, and the salary of the Director, are paid by Ford Motor Company Ltd. The Agency costs of the Trust's administrative assistant are borne by the Trust. The income sources are donations from Ford Motor Company Ltd, FCE Bank Plc and small donations from the Dunton Charity Committee (DDC) which are treated as restricted cash.
The voluntary income and associated expenditure were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Grants from Ford Motor Company Ltd | £ 100,000 |
£ 100,000 |
| Grants from FCE Bank Plc | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| Dunton Charity Committee | 342 | 440 |
| Total | £ 115,342 |
£ 115,440 |
NOTE 8. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
The Trust has one paid employee (2024: One). The Director and accountant positions are currently fulfilled by volunteers.
No Trustees received any remuneration during the year (2024: £Nil).
NOTE 9. RELATED COMPANY
The Trust is related to the Ford Motor Company Ltd. At year end, three of the seven Trustees were employees of Ford Motor Company Ltd or FCE Bank Plc, two were former employees and two were external parties.
The following transactions have taken place: The Trust was granted £100,000 from Ford Motor Company Ltd during the year (2024: £100,000), £15,000 from FCE Bank Plc (2024: £15,000), and £342 (2024: £440) from Dunton Charity Committee.
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