BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 together with the reports of the Board of Trustees and auditors Company number.. 1522897 Charity number.. 281213
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Contents Truste8s Report WhoWeAre.............................................................................. Whalwe Do.............................................................................. Our Plans lor the Future. .12 Financial Review. .13 Slruclure, Governance & Managemenl.................................16 Reference S Adminislralive Details . .18 Signature of the Report on Behalf of the Trustees.................20 IndependentAuditor'sReport..................................................23 statement of Financial Activities ..25 BalanceSheet.........................................................................26 Cash FlowStatement..............................................................27 NoteToTheAccounts.............................................................28 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Who we are The British Ecological Society IBESI isthe largest scientific societyfor ecologists in Europe with a m8mb6rshlp of over 8,000 ecologlsts from mor8 than 120 countrles around the world. We support the ecology community at 1 stages oftheir careers through ourj0LJrns, meetings, grants. education and policy work. The first ecological society lo b8 established anywhere in the world, we have been the champion of ecology for more than a century. Ecologists study the interactions of living things and their environment, providing new understanding ol these critical systems as they are now and how they may change in the future. Ecology enriches OLJr world and is crucial lor human wellbeing and prosperity.11 provides new knowledge of the interdependence between people and natur8 that is vital for food production. maintaining clean air and water and sustaining biodiversity in a ohanging olimate. Our vision and mission The objectives for which the Society is established are lo.. Advance the education ol the public in the subject of ecology as a branch ol natural science., Advance and support research in that lield., and Disseminate the results of such useful research. Our Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 is set within that framework and focuses on the science of ecology, the world and the people who live in it. We are seeing unprecedented change in the earth's ecosystems and environment. and ecology is more relevant today than it has ever been. Our Strategic Plan is set in a context of great uncertainly for both political and publishing landscapes, and where science itself is being challenged in some areas. But ecological science is ofgrowing importance in explaining how nature works and in finding solutions lo some of the greatest challenges facing, and caused by, human society. Our Strategy sets out how we will work towards ourvision in which people and nature thrive in a world that values ecology. As a financially robust and well-governed charity and Scientific Society, with our staff. membership and volunteers providing tJenl and energy in abundanoe, we are oonlident that we will continue to lead positive change towards our Vision. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 What we do We deliver a wide range of activities and events to further ourvision and mission. From publishing world-18ading research and running confer8nces on cutting-8dg8 ecological advances, to raisingthe profile of ecology and fostering diverse communities, we aim to increase the impact of ourscience. The following sections highlight key achievementsfrom 2024. aligned to our 2023- 2027 strategic plan. Goal I: Advance ecology to deepen our understanding of the living world Ourombition is to increase the impactoIecologicalscience, supporting newideos and connections. We will be the beslplaoe to publish, meetanddiscuss ecology. One of the ways in which we support this work is through bringing together diverse audiences lo consider key ecological topics. In collaboration with the Zoological Society of London, we published ajoint report, Prioritising Land Use in the Midst oIa Climate and Nature Emergency. The report was the result of ourjoinl Land Use Summit earlierthis year linking policy makers- including senior government officials from DEFRA, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero IDESNZI and the Department lor Levelling Up, Housing, and Local Communities IDLUHCI- with leading academics in this subject. We continued ourwork on resilient landscapes which was born from our 2023 report The Future of Ecological Research in the UK. The UK is home to an ever-increasing number of landscape-scale restoration projects. Most are mulli-laceted, crossingthe environmental, social and economic spectrum. Bul how do w8 know if they are working? Attracting delegates from nearly a 100 organisations, ourtwo-day symposium was held to support the creation ol a more cohesive community around large-scale land, freshwater and coastallmarine projects lo encourage the sharing of best practice, promote more standardised and effective monitoring and evaluation approaches, and support the development of new projects to enhance our evidence base and ensure the most impaclful outcomes. We continue lo publish ecological research at the culling edge. The heart of the BES lies in our internationally renowned journals- we publish the best science forthe widest audience working with an editorial team from nearly 50 countries. This year, we made another of ourjournals open access, with a progressive waiv8r policy that allows more people lo publish with us. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Goal 2: Place ecological evidence at the heart of decision-making and action Ourombition is to conv8ne and enable all thos8 who use ecologicol know18dg8 and dalo- government, business, unNversities, proclitNoners (Jnd the widerecologicol community. We willbtjild the community's capocily to inIlu8nc8 policy. The ClS for action are becoming louder and more urgent as we gain more understanding of the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss. Bul the road to achieving the goals set out in the Environment Act 120211 is complex, with a nuanced interplay between stressors and their impact on freshwater ecosystems. The BES worked with nearly 40 experts lo publish a report launched on BBC Today lo help Delra navigate freshwater policy with a list of priorities for the biodiversity evidence programme. "The BES report is helping us to build ourunderstonding of the pressures onfreshwalerbiodiversily and the actions that will be most impocllulfor largel delivery." Dr Emma Jardine, Lead Scientist, Defra During the year we built on our work around regenerative agriculture. In June, the BES attended Groundswell Festival and hosted a packed session with Rolhamsled Research, looking al the available evidence for the suGcess orotherwise of regenerative farming practices. The panel discussed the effectiveness ofthe principles, highlighted th8 gaps forfuture research, and focused on the opportunities lor experimentation and collaboration between farmers, academics, and ecologists. Goal 3: Nurture an international community that is strong, equitable and collaborative Ourombition is to ensure that ecology is recognised os u welcoming andinclusive discipline. We willsupport ecologists Ihroughoutevery stage of theircor6ers. Ourwork in equity and inclusion continues to grow. Our Equity and Diversity Advisory Group, chaired by the BES President, allended by the CEO and including members from across the breadth ol our UKand international membership, is responsible lor developing and overseeing the delivery of th8 Society's equity and inclusion strategy. Our priorities in 2024 focused on our goals of.. Equitable leadership Equitable communication Equitable publishing Equitable membership Equitable support We are working towards these goals in a numberof ways. Over half of ourgrant funding now goes lo researtrhers in the Global South. Our peer review process is double-anonymised across more of our portfolio, ensuring the science isjudged by its quality alone, not by the people and institutions il comes from. We have also reviewed our membership fees and structures, recognisingthal affordability varies across the globe, so membership fees will vary by country. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 In 2024, the BES invested £0.5M through our revised grants portfolio, lunding and supporting 142 students and researchers from 32 countries across the world. Funding was awarded lo projects that increased our understanding of the natural world. From bumblebees in heatwaves and tackling climate anxiety in schools to manatee responses to drones, we fund projects that advance ecologic science and spread the wonder ofecology. Grants were also awarded to innovative projects promoting ecology to a wider audience including.. Listening for Life.. opening the public earto our natural world Engaging future ecologists in counleracting stakeholder misp8rc8Ptions about wildfire Science and Art for Pangolins Nearly 80 PhD sludenls and postgraduate researchers were awarded Training and Travel grants to attend courses and conferences where they could present their research. We want lo make sure our grants portfolio is environmentally responsible, so we now ask researchers in the Global North applyingforthis funding stream lo show that they are travelling sustainably. Goal 4: Celebrate ecology and the wonder of the natural world to inspire change and action Ourombition is to share stories that bring ecology to lil8. W8 will inspir8, encourage andsupporto new generation of ecologists. We celebrated ten years of oursuccessful Summer School in 2024 in the stunning scenery of North Wales. The diverse programme was led by past alumni to showcase how the SLJmmer School kickstarted their careers. The BES Summer school is a fully-funded residential field course that supports undergraduate students from across the UK who have experienced at least one barrier, often more, to Iheircareer progression. The Summer School also provides an opportunity for secondary and further education teachers to develop Iheirown skills in teaching field ecology alongside undergraduates. This has increased their knowledge and awareness ol the potential next steps their students lake as they progress beyond school into Higher Education. We 8xpand8d ourteacher n8lworks to around 400 teachers across the UKworking togelh8r to support 8ach other in the teaching of ecology to primary and secondary students and furthereduealion colleges. We have been developing a free to access and use high quality flexible resource on ecosystems interactions that allows teachers to tailor lessons lo the needs, stage and looalion of their students. This will be supported by additional online content in 2025. We collaborated with the Linnean Society to delivera Green Careers conference. for 70 students and careers advisors. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Goal 5: Lead the way in best practice and sustainability to ensure a long-term future Outambition is lo create a working environm8nl thatlosters trust, collaboration and innovation. W8 will s81 ambitious t(Jrgets lo become more sustainuble environmentally, sociallyand econornically, andprovide 18ad8rship lo others on thatjourney. We willdevelop new income slreamsforlong-lerm resilience. The BES'S investment fund managers are Rathbones Greenbank and WIM (formally Waverton). They have different criteria for stock selection, which widens the range of our holdings and spreads risk more effectively. They both have a track record and commitment to ethical investing. In addition to not investing in companies that damage the environment- for example we do not hold stocks in companies that primarily extract fossil fuels. The BES aims to invest in those companies seeking to make a positive impact. We also see our portfolio as a tool to leverage positive environmental change and are working with ourlund managers to find opportunilies for knowledge exchange between ecologists and fund managers. We continue lo reduce our own environmental impact, establishing an effective system for monitoring and recording our carbon. We now purchase carbon credits that offset residual carbon emissions, but we also remain committed lo bridging the gap beeen the research community and those involved in developing the voluntary carbon market especially in the Gontext of higher integrity carbon schemes that oonsider how we miligale biodiversity loss. Our net carbon emissions for 2024 were 116 IC02e, a 230/0 reduction from 2023 (see the section on our commitment to reducing our environmental impact for more details) E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 How our work delivers public benefit The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 ofthe Charities Act 2011 to have due regard lo the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. Ourtruslees give Iheirtime voluntarily and do not retteive any private benefit. Details oftrustees, expenses and remuneration are disclosed in note 6. Fundraising Ourfundraising policy follows the Charity Commission's CC20'CharityfvndraisAng.' u guAde to trustee duties, guidelines. Ourguiding principles are.. Protect personal data and confidentiality- Treat donors courteously and fairly., Respond promptly to donor queries orcomplainls. We will never.. Share donor details with another charity forthe purposes of their fundraising-, Telephone to askfora donation unless donors have specifically asked us to do so., Bombard donors with emails., Pass donor personal data lo athird party such as a commercial partners or publishers unless we have been given explicit consent lo do so. We have not r8ceived any complaints about ourfundraising activities. Our full fundraising policy is available Irom ouroffice. Ensuring our grant-giving is effective, fair and transparent In 2024 we gave away £0.5M in grants, which was 90/0 of ourspending. This substantial sum needs to be managed carefully and we have established processes and policies in place to do so. We launched our new grants programme at the beginning of 2024 aftera period of consultation with the ecological community. Application and scoring criteria are published on our website and are regularly reviewed. We provide Case studies of suooessful applioalions and a grants FAQ to help applicants complete their application. Except for ourTraining and Travel Grants, all applications go through a peer-review process to Comment on their suilabilitylorfunding. Grant reviewers are recruited to our Review College through regular open calls to build a community of individuals who have the knowledge, skills, experience and expertise in ecology to assess grant applications. Successful applications are required to provide a report on the outcome and impact of their project. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 The contribution of volunteers to our work We rely on a huge numberof volunteers to help us achieve our strategic vision. The direct involvement of the ecological community in much ol what we do helps to ensure that we continue lo be a communily-led organisalion. Volunteers include our Board of Trusle8s, committee members and workinggroups. Our 17 Special Interest Groups and six Networks produce a range of events, workshops and communications-efforts that benefit many across the full breadth ot ecology- and are all run by volunteers. Ourjournals would not be able to run without dedicated ecologists across the world who peer review papers and serve as Associate Editors. Much of ourcareers work relies on ecologists willingto give up Iheirtime for free to help us inspire the next generation. In addition, we recognis8 that volunteering with the BES provides valuable experiences for our community. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion We value the diversity and wide range ol perspectives that people Irom different backgrounds bringto their work and to ecology. Everyone at the BES has a role lo play in ensuring that individuals are valued, treated with dignity and respect, and that discrimination does not occur. Every member of staff and the Board ol Trustees is responsible for implementing relevant policies, objectives and working praetiees linked to equality and diversity to ensure equal opportunity at all stages of enEagem8nt with the Society. We remain committed to addressing inequalities and more details of ourwork can be found in the section Goal 3.. Nurture an international community that is strong, equitable and collaborative. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Our commitment to reducing our environmental impact Our community has done much lo raise awareness ofthe impact of human society on the natural world. It Is important that we reduce the impact of ourown activities and improve environmental sustainability. We are committed lo making continual improvements and are pleased lo have made more progress in 2024. In the office and homeworking.. our offices are closed on Fridays and the BES has mad8 the four-day work week permanent, with staff typically working ten days in the office per month. Our electricity is provided on a IOOts/o renewable tariff, with consumption measured via regular metr8 readings. Out and about.. travel continu891o be the highest proportion ot our residual carbon emissions, followed by emissions associated with ourAnnual Meeting. We request that domestic travel be undertaken by train and encourage train journeys to and within Europe, where feasible. We choose meeting venues for their sustainability credentials and work with venues lo provide on-site services such as catering in sustainable ways, avoiding waste as mueh as possible. Catering is fully vegan with no ehoice over main courses to reduce food waste. Ourgross lolal 2024 carbon emissions are 125 tC02e. As ourelectricity is supplied on a IOOOA renewable tariff, we only need lo factor in emissions for the grid, resulting in nel carbon emissions of 116 tC02e which is a 23 % reduction from 2023, exceeding our own target for reduetions. Emissions relaled lo travel remain the majority166Q/ol of recorded carbon (Table 11. In 2024 we were able to eliminate domestic flights, saw incr8ased train travel in and around Europe, less international travel and significantly less travel between two non-UK destinations. Annual Meeting venue emissions conslilule 8°A 2024 emissions, significantly lower compared lo 2023 as the conference venue, ACC Liverpool, is being powered by renewable energy. A venue's sustainability criteria remain an important, albeit not the only, consideration when deciding where to host the largest ecology conference in Europe. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY io
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Table l. Percentage of residual carbon emissions for the BES to offset. Category Proportion oftC02e to offset Trav81 e6.2/ AM venue 8.0° Hlworking Electricity- consumption Hotels 7.3% 5.3/ Paper, printing, stationery Electricals 3.7° 1.4% Electricity- grid use Waste 0.9Yo 0.1 /) Materials other 0.1° Water o.oso Total 100.OYo E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY li
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Our plans for the future We look forward to 2025 as the third year of our ambitious Strategic Plan with the mission to advance ecology and innovating for a planet under threat. Some ol our activities for the coming yearare detailed below. Goal I.. Advancing ecology to deepen our understanding of the natural Wofld Develop workstreams on FOERUKtopics Novel Futures and Dynamic Ecological systems Develop a new publishing strategy Grow the membership for Applied Ecological Research IAERI Deliverexcellenl service with submission increases Establish working relationships with colleagues in new Wiley structure Identify and deliverGollaboration projefjtsfvnded by the WileylBES equity fund Goal 2.. Place ecologicol evidence ot the heartof decision-making and action Establish a syslemalic approach lo monitorand track legislation Analyse opportunitiwes to raise the BES'S international policy ambition Launch the regenerative agriculture report and a summary and engage stakeholders Convene and enable the ecological community to develop key messages and influence planning and land use legislation Develop a vision and plan for a closer working partnership with the SIGS Goal 3 Nurture on inlernolionalcommunity Ihatis strong, equitable and collaborative Briefing on the role of Al in supporting international equity Launch the BES fellows scheme Implement phase l of new membership fees, phase 2 in development Review the implementation of the new grants portfolio Expand our mentoring programme and platform Goal 4.. Celebrole ecologyand the wond6rof th8 nolural world to inspire action andchange PrideinSTEM.' Developing Gollaboralive solutions to the inlerseotional barriers faced by minoritized ecologists Support educators through resource development and equipment loans UsinE modern pedagogical approaches to digital resource development Refresh and update the careers strand ol the Annual Meeting Launch Green Careers week Go(Jl 5.. Lead the wayin bestpractice and sustuinability to ensure a long-termfuture Deliver the volunteer strategy Showcase the BES as an employer of choice fora diverse group of candidates. Continue insights from the transformation project to support the development ol our income diversification work Complete the Biodiversity Impact AesSMent of BES activities Continue to explore opportunities to work with the financial services industry and review the ESG criteria E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 12
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Financial review Review of our financial position In 2024, total income was £5.7M1£5.IM in 20231, with 80 % of income from publishing. Duringthe year, expenditure was £5.4M1£5.IM in 20231 with 490/0 spent on publishing. The accounts show a surplus ol £0.3M (surplus of £0.03M in 20231 before net gains on investments of £0.5M (net gains of £0.6M in 20231. Total funds ol the Society were £17.8M at th8 end of 20241£17.OM al the end of 20231 includ8d £7k of reslricled funds1£17k in 2023}. Financial management and control BES commille8s plan their workforthe forthcoming yearwilhin the framework of our Strategic Plan. Annual budgets for the following yearare drawn up in the fourth quarlerand are approved by the Board of Trustees at their meeting in December. Throughout the financial year, the Finance Committee considers manaEement accounts al its meetings, with a narrative provided by the Honorary Treasurer, Chief Executive and external accountancy firm JS2, as appropriate. The narrative focuses on reasons forvariation against budget. Monthly management accounts are also circulated lo budget holders. Al the mid-point in th8 financial year the budgets are reforecast, taking into aceount Changes in planned activities and events. We have a sel of Financial Regulations which must be followed and are reviewed annually by the Finance Committee. We have a Financial Strategy, reviewed annual by the Finance Committee, which is structured around the aims to111 ensure the long-term financial stability and sustainability of the BES,121 invest in environmentally and ethically responsible funds, and131 diversify income through increases in non-publication sources. These are achieved through a reseives policy, investment policy and income generation policy respectively. Our reserves: to ensure the long-term financial stability and sustainability of the BES The reserves policy seeks to ensure cashflow to maintain the continuity of core operations of the Society. This takes a view beyond the timeframe ofany single Strategic Plan, whilst also allowing for adaptation to changing circumstances. Core operations are defined as.. al direct staff cosls1360/o of expenditure in 20241 bl running costs and maintenance ol BES offices and other assets (excluding depreciation) cl routine and recurrent Society activities le.g. Annual Meeting) excluding grants and external publishing costs dl commilled projects underthe current Strategic Plan Our reserves policy slates that W8 should have a free reserve of at least six months core op8raling costs to be held in aeeessible accounts (maximum go-day access). In 2025 our budgeted core operating costs for6 months are £2.25m and ourfree reserves al the yearend for 2024 were £5.1m. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 13
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 In doing so, we provide staff, trustees and volunteers with the confidence to deliver the charitable purposes of the Society, including the Strategic Plan. This meets the aim lo deliver long-lerm stability while recognising the potential for disruptive change to our main income source of journal publishing. We will maintain a buffer against income fluctuations and as a contingency against financial shocks or challenges. Periodic expenses (cycles longerthan annual budgets) are managed through designated funds. The reserves policy underpins all other sections of the Sliategy and sets the minimum expectations for investment fund holdings and income generation. The reserves policy is reviewed annually by Finance Committee and recommended changes are considered by the Board of Trustees. The policy was updated in 2024. Going concern and viability Based on the reserves policy and detailed cashflow forecasts there are no specific circumstances or untrertainties that impatrt on the Board ofTrustees assessment that tho Society is a Going Concern. Our investment policy The Expendable Endowment Fund is primarily held in the torm of investments. In addition to generating additional revenue lorthe Society and providing reserves, these serve the purpose of showing leadership in ethical and environmental investment. Our priority is to invest in funds that show innovation or leadership in environmental sustainability. We will continue to leverage our portfolio to create opportunities for dialogue and knowledge exchange between the financial services industry and the eoological community. Given the strong financial position of the Society, which is not dependent on investment returns for core business, we can adopt a medium-high risk profile with a large weightingtowards equities as 80+ % ofthe portFolio. This reflects the dual purpose ol both holding strategic reserves and generating additional income (see Income Generation Policyl. Market performance can be highly variable and therefore the funds should bè evaluated over a seven-yeartimeframe. Sustained under-performance over shorter periods would merit earlier intervention bul not within any single reporting cycle. The day-to-day management of our investments is delegated to two firms of professional fund managers, Ralhbones Greenbank and WIM Ilormerly Wavertonl. The splitting ofthe portfolio in this way allows us to compare the results of differing investment strategies and spread risk. We have agreed that the risk profile lor the fund managers should be the second highest for each company as we are investing for the long term. Fund managers are appointed through a compelitlV8 contract tendering process. Our metrics of success are not solely related to financial performance, although long-lerm growth in the investments is a minimum expectation. We also evaluate a narrative of investment strategy and priorities and its implementation in the portfolio held by the Society. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 14
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Investment management and performance As slated in the Balance Sheet ofthese accounts, our investments were valued al £10.8M on 31 December 2024. This comprises £9.2M held in stocks and shares in the BES long-term investment funds and £1.6M of cash in higher rale cash d8POSlts needed lo meet expenditure requirements in the short to medium term. Each investment fund manager uses a composite index as a benchmark and we also require them to report against the midpoint ol the ARC Steady Growth and ARC Equities Risk benchmarks. The target for ourfund managers diff8rs between Rathbones (CPI +4 / l and WIM (CPI + 3.5Y.l. We also use the Suggestus portfolio lo independently benchmark the performance of the fund managers. The investment managers attend Mo Finance Committee meetings a yearto discuss performance and general strategy. Day-lo-day investment decisions are delegated to the fund managers in accordance with the agreed mandates. We have spread the risk of our assets as faras practicable by owning a very long lease on our headquarters and holding some of our reserves in cash accounts, in addition to the equities in our two investment portfolios, and the use of bonds and cash funds to improve short-lerm yields from cash holdings. Our principal risks We maintain a risk register, updated al least quarterly, and significant changes are reported to each Board of Trustees meeting. The three most critical risks currently are.. A lackof income diversification andsustainobility There are significant threats and uncertanties in academic publishing which is a large part ofthe Society's income. We try lo mitigate this risk in several ways. We stay abreast ol industry developments, respond to consultations and participate in discussions to ensure the voice of learned societies is represented. We have also diversified our publishing business model by offering Open Access as an option in our subscription journals, flipping subscription titles to Open Access, launching newjournals as Open-Access titles and collaborating with the Open-Accessjournal Ecology and Evolution. There is also a riskthat the 8ES is over reliant on publications income. The recently created Head of Marketing role will help us to strengthen existing revenue streams as well as explore new ones such as consultancy work. Loss orabsence of key staff The work ofthe BES could be significantly impacted by the loss orabsence of key staff. There is a riskthal knowledge could be lost, key projects delayed ordecisions cannot be made. We mitigate these by succession planning, improving team resilience and knowledge sharing, having agreed notice periods and an emergency plan in place for the absence of the CEO. Artificial Intelligence There are many ways in which Al could have a negative impact on the BES bul there are CLJrrently significant uncertainties and possible opportuni118s. For example, Al could compromise the integrity of the academic record and undermine public confidence in ecological evidence. Fraudulent grant applications could be created or false Cvs and covering letters generated for employment vacancies. Al may also bring benefits in reducing in8qualilies for thos8 whose first language is not English but need lo present their research findings in English. It may also help us reduce the burden on peer reviewers and streamline processes. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 15
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Structure, governance and management Our structure We are a company limited by guarantee (Registration no. 15228971 and have no share capital. As a registered charity (Registration no. 2812131, we are governed by our Articles ofAssociation. Our Board of Trustees comprises the President, President-Elect or Past President, two Vice Presidents, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary, Chair of the Education and Careers Committee, Chair ol the Events Committee, Chwrofthe Publioalions Committee, Chairofthe Polioycommittee, three Ordinary Membersand a Co-opted Member. The Board me8ls quarterly and is responsible for our strategic direction and policies. There are eight committees which report quarterly lo the Board on their areas of responsibility. We have a governance document which details the structure, terms of reference and membership ofthe Board ofTrustees and committees. Ourday-to-day operation is delegated lo the Chief Executive and the rest ol the Senior Leadership Team. The Chief Executive ensures our resources are effectively and efficiently focused on delivering our Strategic Plan and that key performance indicators are mel. The Senior Leadership Team ensures the smooth running of the organisation and leadership of the staff team. Remuneration of all staff, including key management personnel, is considered on an annual basis by our Personnel Committee which reports directly to the Board ol Trustees. Factors such as aftordabilily and inflation are considered by the Personnel Committee. Market research, sector benchmarks and comparability with similar, existing roles within the Society are considered when salaries for new staff roles are agreed by the Committee. Recruitment to the Board of Trustees The Board is responsible for nominating officer and chair posts and members of the Society can put themselves fonNard for these roles through an open recruitment process. Nomination for Ordinary Members is op8n to the whole membership. All members ol the Board are elected by the membership through an online ballot and the results ofthe election are announced al the Annual General Meeting. Online voting has enabled many more members lo participate in the selection of the Board. Induction and training of trustees All newly appointed trustees go through a process of induction, which fully briefs them about their roles, responsibilities and the BES. During their tenure, trustees can have ongoing training, paid for by the Society, lo help them fulfil their duties. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 16
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees The Board ol Trustees of the BES Ith8 trustees and directors) is responsible for preparing the Annual R8POrt and the financi statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the Board to prepare financial statements lor each financial year. Underthal law, the Board has elected to prepar8 Ihe financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting standards and applicable lawl. The financid statements are required by law to give a tru8 and far view ofthe state of affairs ofthe company and of the surplus ordelicit ofthe company forthal period. In preparing these financial statements, the Board is required lo.. Selecl suitable a¢¢ounting policies and then apply them ¢onsistenlly', Observ8 the methods and principles in the Charities Statement ol Recommended Practice ISORPI., Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., Slate whether applicable UKAccounting Standards have been followed, subjectto any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements,. and Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business. The Board of Trustees is responsible for keeping proper accounting r8cords that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position ofthe BES lo ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible tor safeguarding the assets of the BES and hence fortaking reasonable steps lorthe prevention and detection ol fraud and other irregularities. Members of the Board of Trustees, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the dale ofthis report are set out in the'References and Administrative Details, section. In accordance with company law, as the company's directors, they certity that.. So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company's auditors are unaware., and They have taken all the steps that they ought lo have taken as directors in order lo make themselves aware ofany relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware ofthal information. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 17
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Reference and administrative details Charity details British Ecological Society 42 Wharf Road London N17GS Charity Commission registration number 281213 Companies House registration number 1522897 Board of Trustees M Austen R Brooker S Clarke T Coulson C Dwyer M Eichhorn M Emmerson B Emmell R Freckleton C Howe L Graham T Helgason Z Lewis Y Malhi C Pinches R Slafford Pam Vick Appoinled D8cemb8r 2024 Resigned December 2024 Resigned December 2024 Appointed December 2024 Resigned December 2024 Resigned December 2024 Appointed D8cemb8r 2024 Oflice bearers: President . B Emmett PresidentElect..............................................M Austen Vice President .T Coulson Vice President . .CHowe Hon. Secretary - R Brooker Hon.Treasurer..............................................M Eichhorn Chairs of standing committees las at date of this report): Finance Committee . M Eichhorn Education and Careers Commiltee............... P Holland Events Committee .LGraham Grants Committee .CHowe E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 18
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Membership Committee .T Coulson Personnel Committee ................................... R Brooker Policy Committee . R Stafford Publications Committee - R Frecklelon Advisors Senior Leadership Team.. ChiefExeculive..............................................H Norman Director ol Communities and Inclusion . K Devine Director ol Policy and Cornmunications - J Bromley Director of Publishing. - A Baler Bankers: Barclays Bank plc Leicesler. LE87 2BB Investments.. Ralhbones Greenbank Investments 8 Finsbury Circus London, EC2M 7AZ WIM 16 Babmaes Street London, SWIY6AH Accountants: JS2 Limited One Crown Square Woking, GU216HR Auditors: Haysmac LLP 10 Queen Street Place London, EC4R IAG Solicitors: stone King LLP Boundary House 91 Charterhouse Street London, ECIM 6HR Mason Hayes 8 Curran LLP Barrow Str8et Dublin 4 D04 TR29, Ireland E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 19
Board of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2024 Signature of the report on behalf of the trustees This report has bean preparad in accordanc8 with th8 provisions applicable to 8ntities subject to the small companies, regime. Approved by the Board of Truslees on 12 June 2025 and signed on its behalf by.. Professor Bridget Emm8tt President E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 20
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of the British Ecology Society Independent auditor's report to the members of the British Ecological Society Opinion We have audited the financial statements of British Ecological Society lor the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to thefinancial statements, includinEasummaryof signilicanlaccounting policies. Thelinancial reportingframework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financi Reporting standard 102 The Financial Reporting Sland(Ydapplicablein the UKandRepublicof Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel. In our opinion, the financial slat8ments'. give atrue and fairview of the slate ol the eharitable company's affairs as al 31 December 2024 and ol the charitable company's net movement in funds, including the income and expenditure, for the yearthen ended., have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Aet 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our responsibilities underthose standards are lurther described in the Auditor's responsibilities forthe audit of the financial statements section otour report. We are independent ofthe charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant lo our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that th8 audit evid8nce we hav8 obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis forour opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial slalemenls, we have concluded that the Iruslees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability lo continue as a going concern lor a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concem are described in the relevant sections of this report. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 21
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of the British Ecology Society Other information The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees, Annual Report. Ouropinion on the financial statements does not coverthe other information and. except lo the extent otherwise explicitly slated in our report, we do not express any form ol assurance conclusion Ihereon. In connection with our audit ol the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or olheNise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstalemenl in the financial statements or a material misstalem8nl of the other information. 11, based on the work we have performed, we Conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to r8POrt that fact. We have nothing lo report in this regard. Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course ofthe audit.. the information given in the Trustees, Annual Report (which includes the strategc report and the dir8clors' report prepared forthe purposes of company lawl lorthe financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements- and the strategic report and the directors, report included within the Trustees, Annual Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and ils environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misslalemenls in th8 Trustees, Annual R8POrt (which incorporates the strategic report and the directors, report). We have nothingio report in respect ofthefollowing matters in relation to which the Companies Act2006 requires us to report to you il, in our opinion: adequate accounting records have not been kept by the charitable company., or the charitable company linancial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns., or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made- or we have not rec8iV8d all the information and explanations w8 require for ouraudit., or the trustees were not enlilled lo prepare the linancial statements in accordance with the small companies, regime and take advantage ofthe small companies, exemptions in preparing the trustees, report and from the requirement lo prepare a strategic report. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 22
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of the British Ecology Society Responsibilities of trustees for the flnancial statements As explained more lully in the trustees, responsibilities statement sel out on page 15, the Iruslees Iwho are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and lor such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary lo enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statem8nts, the truste89 are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability lo continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative bul lo do so. Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Ourobjectivesarelo obtain r8asonabl8assuranceaboul wheth8rlhefinancialstalemenlsasawholearefr8efrom material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level ol assurance, bul is not aguarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS IUKI will always delect a material misstalemenl when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis ol these linancial stalemenls. Irregularities, includingfraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respeot of irregularities. including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.. Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment in which il operates, we identified thatthe principd risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to regulatory requirements forGDPR. Charitl8s Act 2011 and Companies Act 2006, and we considered th8 exlenl to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, income lax and payroll tax. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunitiesforfraudulent manipulation ofthe financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the princip risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to revenue, management bias in accounting estimates and application of controls around authorisation of expenditure and payments . Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included.. Inspecting correspondence with regulators and tax authorities,. Discussions with manag8ment including consideration of known or suspected instances of non- compliance with laws and regulation and fraud., Evaluating management's controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities., Identifying and teslingjournals, in particular journal entries posted with unusual account combinations, postings by unusual users or with unusual descriptions., and Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their critical accounting estimates E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 23
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of the British Ecology Society Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware ol instances of non-compliance. The risk is alsogrealerregarding irregularities occurringdue lolraud ralherlhan error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities for ifve audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at.. www.frc.or .uklaudilorsres onsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might slate lo the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members. as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or forthe opinions we have formed. Kathryn Burton (Senior Statutory Auditor} For and on behalf of Haysmac LLP, Stalulory Auditor Date 2010612025 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R IAG E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 24
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
·---------------------------·
Statement of financial activities
Incorporating the income and expenditure account For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Permanent | Expendable | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Endowment | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||
| Income from: | |||||||
| Donatons, Legacies 8 Grnt |
30 | 15 | 17 | 62 | 130 | ||
| Other Trading Activities | |||||||
| Investment income | 2 | 46 | 5 | 180 | 231 | 198 | |
| Profit on disposal of Fixed | |||||||
| Assets | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Other income | 12 | 12 | 19 | ||||
| 89 | 15 | 22 | 180 | 306 | 347 | ||
| Income fm chartable activities | |||||||
| Publications | 4,568 | 4,568 | 4,034 | ||||
| Income from conferences | 568 | 568 | 480 | ||||
| Subscriptions | 235 | 235 | 223 | ||||
| Total income | 5,460 | 15 | 22 | 180 | 5,677 | 5,084 | |
| Expenditure | |||||||
| Expenditure on raising | |||||||
| funds | |||||||
| Investment management | |||||||
| fees | 15 | 54 | 69 | 59 | |||
| Eenditur on chartble actvities |
|||||||
| Publications | 2,637 | 2,637 | 2,194 | ||||
| Meetings | 834 | 834 | 770 | ||||
| Research | 507 | 5 | 512 | 722 | |||
| Education | 308 | 19 | 327 | 397 | |||
| Policy | 477 | 12 | 489 | 455 | |||
| Niche 8 Other services | 549 | 549 | 461 | ||||
| Total expenditure | 3 | 5,327 | 31 | 5 | 54 | 5,417 | 5,058 |
| Net income before gains | 260 | ||||||
| on investment | 133 | (16) | 17 | 126 | 26 | ||
| Net gains on investments | 11 | 114 | 406 | 520 | 591 | ||
| Transfer between funds | (6) | 6 | |||||
| Net movement in funds in | |||||||
| year | 241 | (10) | 17 | 532 | 780 | 617 | |
| Fund balance brought | |||||||
| forward | 9,419 | 17 | 223 | 7,362 | 17,021 | 16,404 | |
| Fund balances carried | |||||||
| forward | 15 | 9,660 | 7 | 240 | 7,894 | 17,801 | 17,021 |
All of the above results derive from continuing activities. There are no gains and losses other than those disclosed above. The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
·--------------------------
E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
25
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Balance sheet For the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 £'ooo 2023 £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Fixed assets Tangble assets Intangible fixed asset Investments 4,606 30 10,788 4,730 70 9,432 io li 15,424 14,232 Current assots D8blors Cash on deposit and in hand 12 3,031 978 2,368 1,875 4,007 4,243 Creditors: amounts lallingdue within one year Net current assets 13 11,6301 11,4541 2,377 17,801 2,789 17,021 Net assets Reprosonted by Unrestricted funds General fund 5,054 4,606 9,660 4,689 4,730 9,419 Designated funds Restricted fund 17 Pgrmangnt Endowmant fund 240 223 Expendabla Endowmontfund 7,894 7,362 15 17,801 17,021 Included in th8 above reserves are unr8alis8d gains of £1.3M12023 gains £0.9MI. Th8 accompanying notes form an integral part ol these tinancial slalemenls. The accounts were approved and aLrthorised for issue bythe Board of Trusl8es on 12 June 2025 and signed on its behalf by. Professor Bridget Emmett Member ofthe Board ofTrustees E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 26
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Statement of cashfiows For the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 £'ooo 2023 £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Cash flow from operating activities Nel Income AdjustrNents for.. Investment income Depr8cialion Amortisation 780 617 12311 141 11981 142 40 40 Decreaselllncreasel in debtors ID8cr8aselllncr&as8 in cr8ditors 16631 176 33 11501 Nel cash provided by operating activities 243 484 Cash flow from investing activities Purchase oftangible fixed assets Investment income Purchase of investments Disposal ol investments IGainsl on investm&nts 1171 231 17,0031 6,167 15201 151 198 13,6731 2,570 15911 Net cash used in investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents al the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents al thè end of the year 11,1421 11,5011 18991 11,0171 1,875 2,892 976 1,875 Asati January 2024 Asa131 December 2024 Analysis of changes in net debt Cashflows £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Cash and Cash equival8nts 1,875 1,875 18991 {8991 978 976 The accompanying notes form an integral part ofthese financial slalements. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 27
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31 December 2024 Accounting policles 8usis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities- statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021- (Charities SORP S8cond Edition, effective l January 20191, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UKand Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006. The Society meets the definition ol a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS102.Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise slated in the relevant accounting policy notelsl. The trustees have assessed whelherthe use ol the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these financial stalemenls. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the dale of approval ol these financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charities forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on donation and investment income. After making enquiries the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in Operation existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing ils financial stalemenls. Financial Instruments The BES has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section 12 '0ther Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of ils financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right lo sel off the recognis8d amounts and th8r8 is an intention to settle on a nel basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. With the exceptions of prepayments and deferred income all other debtor and creditor balances are considered lo be basic financial instruments under FRS 102. Income il Subscriptions income.. All subscriptions income is accounted for in the period to which it relates. Subscriptions receipts in advance are recorded as deferred income. ill Other income.. All other income has been accounted for on a receivable basis. Expenditure (including grLts) Expenditure is classified underthe principal categories of charitable and other expenditure ratherthan the type of expense, in orderto provide more useful information to Users of the accounts. Charitable activities comprise direct expenditure including direct staff costs attributable lo the activity. Support costs have been allocated lo activities based on the average staff lime spent. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the management ofthe Society's assets, organisalional E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 28
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Accounting polici8s (continued) Expenditure (including grants) (continued) administration and compliance with constitutional and statutory requiremènts. Supportcosts are allocated on the basis of time spent on each activity. Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is convgyed lo the recipient except in those cases wherg the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not b&en met al the y&ar-end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure. Depreciation Depreciation has been calculated to write off the cost of assets overlheir expected useful lives as follows.. Freehold & long leasehold property Leasehold improvem8nls Furniture Equipment 2QA per annum on a straight-line basis. 5 /) per annum on a straight-lin8 basis. IO°A perannum on a straight-line basis. 20% perannum on a straighl-line basis. The Society's policy is to capilalise assets purchased over £1,500. Amortisation Amortisalion has been calculated to write off the cost ol intangible fixed assets over their expected lives al 20Yo per annum on a straight line basis. The Society's policy is to capitalise intangible assets where future economic benefits from the asset are expected and the cost of the asset can be reliably measured. Investments Investments are slated at fair value. 11 is the BES'S policy to keep valuations up lo date such that whon investments are sold there is no gain or loss arising. As a result the Statement of Financial Activities only includes those unrealised gainsand Ioss8s arisinglrom the r8valualion of the investment porttolio throughout the year. Disclosure is made in note Q of the difference between the historical cost and the sale proceeds of the investments sold during the year. Foreign currencies Monetaryassets and liabilities denominated in aforeign currency are translated into slerlingal the exchange rale ruling on the Balance Sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rale of exchange prevailingat the dale of transa¢lion. All exchange differences are taken to the slalement of financial a¢livilies. Op8rcitingl8ase Rentds payable underoperating leases are charged aganst income on a straight line basis over the lease term. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 29
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Accounting poli¢i8s (continued) Pensions BES operates defined contribution pension arrangements, the assets of which are held separately from those of the BES in independentlyadministered funds. Contributions are charged to the income and expenditure account as they become payable. Fundoccounting General funds comprise the accumulated surplus ordeficil and are available for use atlhe discretion ol the Board of Trustees in furtherance ol the Eeneral objectives otthe BES. Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restrictive covenants imposed by donors or by the purpose of the appeal. Designated funds comprise funds which have been setaside atthe disoretion oflhe Board ofTrusteesforspecific purposes. All income and expenditure of the BES has been included in the Statement of Financial Activities. Employee benefits The costs ol short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or h.xed assets. The cost ol any unused holiday enlitlemenl is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed lo terminate the employment of an employee or lo provide termination benefits. Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued al the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Cash ul bankandin hund Cash al bank and cash in hand includes cash and short tem highly liquid investments. Creditors Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a pasl event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised al their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 30
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -·
Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024
Judgements and estimates
The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:
-
1 Accounting policies (continued)
-
the estimates of the useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets used to determine the annual depreciation charge;
-
the estimates of the useful economic lives of intangible fixed assets used to determine the annual amortisation charge;
-
the assumptions adopted by the trustees and management in determining the value of any designations required from the charity's general unrestricted funds; and
-
the basis on which support costs have been allocated across expenditure headings; and
-
the value of accrued publication income.
2 Investment income
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £'000 | £'000 | |
| Income from listed investments | 182 | 163 |
| Interest receivable | 49 | 35 |
| ----- | ||
| 231 | 198 |
Included in the above is £46K (2023: £26K) of unrestricted income and £185k (2023: £172K) expendable endowment funds .
. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -·
E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
31
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Analysis oftotal expenditure 2024 Direct staff Other Direct Support Costs Costs Costs Inote 41 £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Total 2024 £'ooo Cost of Raising Funds Niche & Other Services 69 69 262 89 198 549 Publications 710 1,367 405 376 73 560 2,637 834 512 327 Meetings Resear¢h Education Policy 207 34 183 222 102 71 226 148 115 489 1,822 2,527 1,268 5,417 2023 Direct Staff Costs Other Direct Support Costs Costs Inote 41 £'ooo Total 2023 £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Cost of Raising Funds Niche & Other Services Publications Meetings Research Education Policy 59 461 222 72 167 695 218 1,070 407 429 145 2,194 770 32 674 16 722 187 272 1,626 80 23 2,385 130 160 1,047 397 455 5,058 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 32
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Supportcosts Support Costs 2024 £'ooo 2023 £'ooo Governan¢e Costs Governance staff costs Audit Fee 17 13 20 ie Other Support Costs Support staff costs Non salary staff costs Property IT costs 327 115 234 58 67 147 134 124 Venu& costs Publicity Fees l Affiliations Oflice running costs Depreciation Amortisation Printing Outsourced finance & payroll Legd S ConsLJltancy Bank charges 27 39 54 72 37 150 141 142 40 40 53 48 26 20 40 21 80 40 1,268 1,047 Support costs are allocated on the basis ol time spent on each activity. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 33
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Grants Grant commitments are as follows.. 2024 £'ooo 37 499 14621 2023 £'ooo 51 646 16601 Grant commitments al l January Awards made duringyear Payments made during the year Grant commitments al 31 December 74 37 The rnajority of grants awarded areto individuals. Grants lo institutions are relatively few in numberand low value. Net Mov8m8nt In Funds is slated after charging.. 2024 £'ooo 2023 £'ooo Depreciation Amortisalion Auditor's remuneration - audit setvices 141 40 142 40 17 13 Other than disclosed in note 17, members of th8 Board of Trustees did not receive any remuneration during the year 12023.. nill. Expenses reimbursed lo 1212023.. 131 Members ol the Board of Trustees in the year equalled £9,413 12023.. £8,424). Taxatlon The BES is a r8£islered charity and as such ils income andgains are exemptfrom corporation taxtoth8 exl8ntlhal they are appli8d to ils charitab18 obj8Ctives. There is no Gorporalion tax charge for the year12023.' nill. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 34
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Employees The a¢tual numberof employees during the year was 38.112023.. 38.51 2024 2023 Membership Publishing Conferences l M88tings Research Education Policy Society Grants 12.9 13.5 7.0 38.1 38.5 £'ooo £'ooo Staff costs during the y8aramounted to.. Wages and salaries Social security costs Employer's pension contributions Redundancy 1,656 164 1,569 155 132 129 io 1,863 1,952 The following number ol employees reiVed employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) during the year between.. 2024 2023 £80,000- £69,999 £70,000-£79,999 £80,000- £89,999 £100,000-£109,999 £150,000-£159,999 £'ooo 29 £'ooo 24 Pension costs for hÉher paid staff were.. The aggregate benefits including pension contributions of the key management personnel were £435,692 12023.. £426,347), the trustees were not remunerated forservices to the charity. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 35
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 Fixed asse1$ Tangible fixed assets Freehold & long leasehold property £'ooo Furniture, fixtures & equipment £'ooo Leasehold improvements £'ooo Total £'ooo Cost l January 2024 4,724 428 190 5,342 Additions 17 17 31 December2024 4,724 428 207 S,359 Depreciation lJanuary2024 Charge for the year 31 Decamber2024 413 93 106 612 21 26 141 507 114 132 753 Net bookvalue 31 December2024 4,217 4,311 314 75 4.606 4,730 31 December2023 335 84 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 36
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 io Intangible fix8d assats Customer Relationship Management System £'ooo Total £'ooo Cost lJanuary2024 200 200 31 December2024 200 200 Amortisation lJanuary2024 Charge for the year 130 130 40 40 31 Decamber 2024 170 170 Net bookvalue 31 December 2024 31 December2023 30 30 70 70 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 37
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 li Investments 2024 2023 £'ooo £'ooo Marf(et value l January Additions Disposals proceeds Net investment gain Movement in deposits 9,432 7,003 17,3971 520 1,230 7,738 3,673 12,3381 591 {2341 Market value 31 December 10,788 9,432 Historical costat 31 December 9,488 8,521 Accumulated unrealised gains based on historic cost at 31 December 1,300 911 Realised gain in yearbased on historic cost 1,436 106 Represented by: UK equity shares Overseas equities UKfixed interest S liquidity funds Overseas fixed interest UK Other Overseas Other 1,429 5,955 1,903 1,642 4,590 2,399 48 654 21 763 Market value of listed investments 10,127 9,354 Inv8slment in subsidiary undertaking Amounts held in cash 661 78 Total 10,778 9,432 Subsidiary undertakings The BES holds IOO°kn of the issued share capital of BES Trading Company Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. The sole activity ol BES Trading Company Limited was to organise the Illh International Congress of Ecology in August 2013. At 31 December 2024 the Shar8 Capital and nel ass8ts of BES Trading Company Limited amounted to £212023.. £21 and the company continued to be dormant. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 38
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 12 Debtors 2024 2023 £'ooo £'ooo 131 187 Trade debtors VAT Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income 93 2,841 2,270 3,031 2,368 13 Creditors.. amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 £'ooo 285 67 £'ooo 403 62 Trade creditors Social security & other taxes Accruals Deferred income Inole 141 Grants payable (note 51 1,105 99 74 860 92 37 1,630 1,454 14 Movement in deferred income 2024 2023 As al lJanuary2024 Released in year Deferred in year 92 1921 99 105 11051 92 As al 31 December 2024 92 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 39
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 15 Movement in Funds 2024 Fund balances brought forward 11112024 £'ooo Fund Balances Carried FOnard 3111212024 £'ooo Nel gains on Investment Assets Expendi- ture Income Transfers £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Restricted Alex S Watt Brecklan Policy Assistant Fund SPAN Trust 12 1121 1121 BES Bursaries New Phylologisl Foundation Ecology Resources Ltd 171 iii Total restricted funds 17 15 1311 Unrestricted funds General Tangible fix8d assetfund Office Renewal fund Open Access Transition fund 2,811 4,730 485 393 5,460 15,1281 11241 1751 114 11561 4,101 4,606 560 393 150 Total unrestricted funds Expendable Endowment Funds 9,419 5,4eo 15,3271 114 161 9,660 7,362 180 1541 406 7,894 17 Ollvia Norfolk John L Harper Fellowship 17 223 151 223 Total Funds 17,021 5,867 15,4171 520 17,801 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 15 Movement in Funds Icontinuedl Designated Tangible fixed Represenls the nei book value oftangible fixed assets in use by the Society and therefore not asset fund available to the Board of Trusl8es to meet future expenditure. A transfer is made each yearto reflect the change in net book value. Office renewal The total estimated cost ol the Cat A and Cat B filoul of the BES office plus the cost offixtures fund and fittings in 2019 was £1.5m. To ensure that the BES has the funds available in the future lo renew these, a designated fund was established in 2020 with an annual transfer of £150k from general funds. The Board of Trustees have agreed lo lOCate some ofthe funds generated by the current contract with Wi18y to increase capacity in the BES Publications Team to locus on strategy and help to develop, research and launch newjournals bringing in future income forthe BES. The BES is exploring the transition of its existing hybrid journals to an open access model. This transition is likely lo result in a short to medium term drop in income and a change in cashllow. This fund has been set up to miligale these impacts forthe transition of one of our journals. In 2021, £393k was transferred into this fund from the general fund. Journals Development Fund Open Access Transition Fund Ro$tri¢tgd Restricted funds of£7k al 31 December2024 are represented by cash on deposil12023- £17kl. Alex S Watt Funds administered by the 8ES in the memory of Alex Watt to provide funding for small scale Breckland research projects aimed to enhance our understanding ol the conservation of the Breckland Research Trust Region. Policy Restricted donation lo support a staff memberto work in the policy area. The role was created Assistant Fund in February 2013. SPAN Trust The BES received a Span Trust charitable grant of £12,818, split over three years Iso far Bursary £4,272 was received in 2021, £4,272 in 2022 and £4,272 in 20231 to support Bursaries for London and Southeast of England undergraduates, career development Ilhis criterion was lifted in 2022- undergraduate students across England can now apply for the bursary). As part ol the funding agreement, the BES adds £2,166 peryear towards the scheme via unrestricted donations. 5 awards were awarded in 2024, lolalling £6,438. The funds are held in trust by BES and drawn down by the bursary winners. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 41
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 15 Movement in Funds Icontinuedl Restricted {continued) Ecology An original donation of £7,500 was received to finance three bursaries lo attendees at Resources Ltd the Undergraduate Summer Schools which took place in the Summer of 2019. The BES Bursary continues to fundraise forthis scheme and provide bursaries for sludents attending our Summer School programmes. Two students were supported in 2019, lourstudents in 2020, six over 202L2022 and 7 in 2023. The funds are held in trust by BES and drawn down by the bursary winners to fund training in ecoloEy and associated expenses such as travel related to attendance at training or meetings and equipment. The BES received a donation from the New Phytologisl Foundation 01 £3,000, to support the attendance of seven students at the BES Annual Meeting 2023. These students were from low-income, low-opportunity backgrounds, or underrepresented groups. The funds are held in trust by BES and drawn down by the awardees to fund travel and registration costs. New Phytologist Foundation Thesocietyholds É17,357 (2023- É25,073) on behalf of the Europeon Ecological Foundation and£93,855 on behall of Intecol (2023-£98,947). The balances do notform portof these accounts. Endowment Expendable endowment funds of £7.9M at 31 Decemb8r 2024 are represented by inv8slment12023- £7.4MI. Expendable Endowment fund The Society is taking proactive steps to mitigate the over-reliance on a single income source by holding these reserves in an investment portfolio that is managed using an ethical screen. Returns on these investments are re-invested strategically lo part fund new activities and specific major projects specified in the Strategic Plan John L Harper This is a permanent endowment lund to celebrate John Harper's hug8 contribution to our Fellowship science. It supports grants forgraduate student research projects that are consistent with the research themes advanced by him Olivia Norfolk This is a permanent endowment lo award financial prizes to the best sludenl posters presented each year at the BES Annual Meeting. The prize is named in memory of Olivia Norfolk, who presented results from her PhD studies as posters al BES Annual Meetings and went on lo have a distinguished career in ecology. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 42
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 15 Movemant In Funds Icontlnuedl 2023 Fund balances brought forward UU2023 £'ooo Fund NeignS Balances on Carried Investment Forward Assets Transfers 3111212023 £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo Income Expenditure £'ooo £'ooo Restricted Alex S Watt Brecklan Policy Assistant Fund SPAN Trust io iioi 131 1611 171 131 1841 GRCF 18 23 20 Ecology Resources Ltd New Phytologist Foundation Total restricted funds 15 40 41 17 Unrestricted funds General Tangible fixed asset fund Oth"ce Renewal fund Journal Development fund Open Access Transition fund 3,705 4,867 386 62 393 4,716 14,6681 11371 1511 1621 1781 1201 3,705 4,730 485 150 393 Total unrestricted funds 9,413 4,886 14,9181 1781 1201 9,419 Expendable Endowment Funds John L Harpar Fellowship 6,728 223 172 1511 151 513 7,362 223 Total Funds 16,404 5,084 15.0581 435 17,021 E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 43
Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024 16 Analysls of net assots between funds 2024 Expendable Permanent Restrioted Endowment Endowment £'ooo £'ooo £'ooo General £'ooo Designated £'ooo 4,606 Total £'ooo 4,e06 30 Tangible assets Intangible assets Investments Net current assets 30 2,894 2,130 7,894 10,788 2,377 240 Net assets 5,054 4,606 7,894 240 17,801 2023 Expendable Permanent Restricted Endowment Endowment General Designated £'ooo £'ooo 4,730 Total £'ooo £'OOD £'ooo £'ooo 4,730 70 9,432 Tangible assets Intangible assets Investments Nel current assets I 70 2,070 7,362 2,549 17 223 2,789 Nel assets 4,689 4,730 17 7,362 223 17,021 l R8lat8d partytransaction$ Notransaclions have taken place with either Memb&rsorwith the SeniorManagementTeam. It is the policy ofthe BES that Commi118e members who have an int&r8sl in any grant awarding decisions must18av8 the room al the lime the awarding decision is made. There were no other related party transactions duringthe current year12023'. nill. 2 The George Jackson Estate As part DI the George Jackson bequest, the Society was left as residuary beneficiary of a revisionary bequest. The prop8rty passes to the Society upon the death ofthe life interest. Because ofthe uncertainty as lo value and timing the value ol the property is not included with these financial slalemenls. E BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY 44