THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
CHARITY No. 277018
THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
Charity Information
| Trustees | The Management Committee of |
|---|---|
| The Society of Authors | |
| Charity Number | 277018 |
| Charity Offices | c/o The Society of Authors |
| 24 Bedford Row | |
| London WC1R 4EH | |
| Independent Examiner | Simon Goodridge FCA |
| Knox Cropper LLP | |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 65 Leadenhall Street | |
| London EC3A 2AD | |
| Bankers | HSBC |
| The Peak | |
| 333 Vauxhall Bridge Road | |
| Victoria | |
| London SW1V 1EJ | |
| Investment Managers | LGT Wealth Management UK LLP |
| 14 Cornhill | |
| London | |
| EC3V 3NR |
THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 - 8 |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the 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) (second edition effective 1 January 2019).
Trustees
The Management Committee of the Society of Authors is the permanent Trustee of the charity (the “Trustees”) and has acted throughout the year.
Investment powers and Risk Management
The Trust Deed authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using the Capital Funds of the charity. These are shown in detail in the notes to the financial statements. The principal area of risk concerns the management of the investments, the income from which provides the main source of funds from which the awards are paid. The investments are therefore kept under constant review by the investment managers.
Constitution, objects and policies
This charity was constituted under the Will of the late Mary Francis Guelbi Head for the advancement of education generally and in particular to further and promote education by providing grants for the benefit and assistance of contemporary writers in the English language over the age of 35 who whether by reason of disablement or otherwise are in financial difficulty and who whether male or female were born in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The policy of the Francis Head Bequest continues to be to pay grants in accordance with the Trust Deed.
Public Benefit
In reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities, the Trustees refer to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees policy is to operate on the basis of being able to continue to generate sufficient incoming resources to use toward meeting their charitable objectives and to accord with their principal terms. The Trustees are of the opinion that the funds remain sufficient to enable them to continue this ongoing objective. The charity has sufficient but not excessive funds to service its objective of making future charitable distributions.
Financial Review
The results for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 are attached and show a Net decrease in funds of £39,214 (2022: £41,374 decrease) before adding the realised gain on sale of investments of £2,075 (2022: £2,194 loss) and unrealised increase in the market value of investments of £35,126 (2022: £118,312 loss). Grants and awards totalling £46,000 (2022: £48,000) were paid in the year, helping 23 authors (2022: 26), and other expenditure incurred amounted to £19,480 (2022: £19,781). The investments appear in the Balance Sheet at their market value of £723,421 (2022: £748,445). The Accumulated Fund carried forward at the year-end stands at £759,870 (2022: £761,883) and the Trustees consider that the charity has sufficient income and capital to meet its obligations in the foreseeable future.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and the principles of the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which 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, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.
Approval
This report was approved by the Trustees on 16[th] May 2024 and signed on their behalf.
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the Management Committee, The Society of Authors
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THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Francis Head Bequest
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Francis Head Bequest for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 Trust’s accounts as required 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 Act.
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 which give me cause to believe that in any material aspect:
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a) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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b) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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c) 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 the 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.
Simon Goodridge FCA Knox Cropper LLP Chartered Accountants 65 Leadenhall Street EC3A 2AD
Date: 24 May 2024
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THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
| --------------------Unrestricted | Funds------------ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income | |||
| Investment Income - Dividends | 2 | 26,113 | 26,389 |
| - Bank Interest | 153 | 18 |
|
| Total Income | 26,266 | 26,407 | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Raising Funds: | |||
| Investment Management Fees | 3,726 | 3,954 | |
| Charitable Activities | 3 | 61,754 | 63,827 |
| Total Expenditure | 65,480 | 67,781 | |
| Net Income/(expenditure) before | (39,214) | (41,374) |
|
| Investment Gains/(losses) | |||
| Net gains/(losses) on investments | 6 | 37,201 | (120,506) |
| Net income/(expenditure) | (2,013) | (161,880) |
|
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 761,883 | 923,763 |
|
| Total funds carried forward | £759,870 | £761,883 |
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THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
BALANCE SHEET
| 31st DECEMBER 2023 2023 Notes £ £ FIXED ASSETS Quoted Investments – at Market Value 4 723,421 CURRENT ASSETS Cash held by Investment Managers 37,726 Cash at bank 1,478 39,204 CURRENT LIABILITIES Amounts due within one year 7 (2,755) Net Current Assets 36,449 TOTAL NET ASSETS £759,870 Represented by: ACCUMULATED FUND Unrestricted Funds 759,870 TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS £759,870 |
2022 £ £ 748,445 6,946 9,148 16,094 (2,656) 13,438 £761,883 761,883 £761,883 |
2022 £ £ 748,445 6,946 9,148 16,094 (2,656) 13,438 £761,883 761,883 £761,883 |
2022 £ £ 748,445 6,946 9,148 16,094 (2,656) 13,438 £761,883 761,883 £761,883 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16,094 (2,656) |
|||
| £761,883 | |||
| 761,883 | |||
| £761,883 |
Approved by the Trustees on 16[th] May 2024 and signed on their behalf by
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the Management Committee, The Society of Authors
The notes form part of these Financial Statements
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THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- a) These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS102 second edition) and in compliance with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a public benefit entity under FRS102.
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b) The income from investments and bank interest received represent the actual income receivable in the year.
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c) Awards paid include all amounts payable in the year in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed.
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d) Other expenditure is included on the basis of amounts payable for the year.
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e) The quoted investments are included in the Financial Statements at market value to comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice.
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f) The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events and conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
INVESTMENT INCOME |
||
|---|---|---|
| NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z TOTAL |
2023 Gross Income £ 3,633 2,617 19,863 £26,113 |
2022 Gross Income £ 3,777 2,251 20,361 |
| £26,389 |
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THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| 2023 £ Direct Awards paid 46,000 Indirect Assessors Fees 2,500 Administration Costs 10,962 Other 498 Governance Independent Examination Fee 1,794 £61,754 4. INVESTMENTS Cost £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 78,985 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 72,304 151,289 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 573,957 Totals at – 31stDecember 2023 £725,246 31stDecember 2022 £786,519 5. MOVEMENT IN COST OF INVESTMENTS 2023 £ £ Cost at 1 January 2023 786,519 Disposals ASC Income Fund Z (61,273) Cost at 31 December 2023 £725,246 |
2023 £ Direct Awards paid 46,000 Indirect Assessors Fees 2,500 Administration Costs 10,962 Other 498 Governance Independent Examination Fee 1,794 £61,754 4. INVESTMENTS Cost £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 78,985 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 72,304 151,289 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 573,957 Totals at – 31stDecember 2023 £725,246 31stDecember 2022 £786,519 5. MOVEMENT IN COST OF INVESTMENTS 2023 £ £ Cost at 1 January 2023 786,519 Disposals ASC Income Fund Z (61,273) Cost at 31 December 2023 £725,246 |
2022 £ 48,000 3,000 10,440 677 1,710 £63,827 Market Value £ 65,808 65,153 130,961 592,460 £723,421 £748,445 2022 £ £ 817,273 (30,754) (30,754) £786,519 |
2022 £ 48,000 3,000 10,440 677 1,710 £63,827 Market Value £ 65,808 65,153 130,961 592,460 £723,421 £748,445 2022 £ £ 817,273 (30,754) (30,754) £786,519 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £725,246 | £786,519 |
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THE FRANCIS HEAD BEQUEST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
6. MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS
| Market Value at the beginning of the year Disposal Proceeds Investment Gains Market Value at End of Year Realised gains/(losses) Unrealised gains/(losses) 7. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS Investment Managers’ Fees Professional Fees |
2023 £ £ 748,445 (62,225) 37,201 (25,024) £723,421 2,075 35,126 £37,201 2023 £ 961 1,794 £2,755 |
2023 £ £ 748,445 (62,225) 37,201 (25,024) £723,421 2,075 35,126 £37,201 2023 £ 961 1,794 £2,755 |
2023 £ £ 748,445 (62,225) 37,201 (25,024) £723,421 2,075 35,126 £37,201 2023 £ 961 1,794 £2,755 |
2022 £ £ 901,000 (32,049) (120,506) (152,555) £748,445 (2,194) (118,312) £(120,506) 2022 £ 946 1,710 £2,656 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2,755 |
8. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The Society of Authors, which is the corporate Trustee of the charity, carried out management services for the charity and charged a management fee for the year amounting to £10,962 (2022 £10,440). There were no other related party transactions in the year.
9. REVIEW OF FUNDS
During the year ended 31 December 2022 the Trustees reviewed the charity’s investment policy. The review identified that the charity has a permanent endowment, however for at least the last 10 years the Trustees have informally followed a total return basis to allow capital returns to fund some of the charity’s annual expenditure. Following legal advice, the Trustees passed a resolution on 26 May 2022 in accordance with s282 Charities Act 2011 that the objects of the Trust to which the fund is subject could be carried out more effectively if the capital of the Fund could be expended as well as income accruing to it, rather than just income. This resolution has been sent to the Charity Commission.
The Trustees have also reported to the Charity Commission on the historical position. The Charity Commission have confirmed that the charity has taken appropriate steps to address the matter and that the resolution is now effective.
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