The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Annual report and financial statements
for the year ended
31 August 2024
Charity Registration No. 285766
The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Reference and administrative information
TRUSTEES
Kate Bolsover Tom Clementi Richard Cunis Menna McGregor Zita Saurel Kenneth Steele
SECRETARY
Pippa Adamson
PRINCIPAL AND REGISTERED OFFICE
46 Floral Street Covent Garden London WC2E 9DA
AUDITOR
Crowe U.K. LLP 55 Ludgate Hill London EC4M 7JW
BANKERS
Barclays Bank plc Education Team Level 28 Churchill Place London E14 5HP
FUND MANAGERS
Fundsmith LLP 33 Cavendish Square London W1G 0PW
Ruffer LLP 80 Victoria Street London SW1E 5JL
Troy Asset Management Limited Brookfield House 44 Davies Street London W1K 5JA
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 285766
Page 1
The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Report of the Trustees
The Trustees submit their report and the audited financial statements of The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund (“the Endowment Fund” or “the Charity”) for the year ended 31 August 2024.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
CONSTITUTION AND OBJECTS
The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund is a registered charity (number 285766) and was established under a Definitive Trust Deed dated 9 June 1982.
The income and assets of The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund (the “Charity”) are used to provide funding and facilities for students at The Royal Ballet School (“the School”). In particular:
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Scholarships, bursaries, and financial support are provided to students who would not otherwise be able to attend the School. Support is provided to full-time and Associate students.
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Grants to students at the School to pay for items not covered by fee support. For example, uniform costs, ballet shoes, travel to and from home and extracurricular activities.
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Student prizes.
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Expenditure on improvements to facilities and the repair and maintenance of buildings.
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To support the School’s archive.
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To support investment in new choreography and international tours.
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• To fund student and teacher exchange programmes
Any income not spent in the year is carried forward and held in the Charity’s reserves and used to assist in funding the School’s future development programme.
TRUSTEES
The responsibility for the management of the Charity is vested in its Charity Trustees. Trustees are nominated by its connected charity, the Royal Ballet School and appointed and removed by the existing Board of Trustees.
The Trustees in office during the year and to the date of this report were as follows:
Kenneth Steele Chair of Trustees Kate Bolsover Tom Clementi Richard Cunis Menna McGregor Zita Saurel
It is the policy of the Trustees is to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and duties. Training needs are considered from time to time and appropriate support is provided as necessary.
The Trustees meet periodically, usually three times a year, to review grant applications, future spending needs, and investment strategy and performance. They also liaise with the School's Executive Team to ensure a clear understanding of the future financial needs of the School and its students. The Fund Managers provide the Trustees with regular reports on investment performance, and they also regularly attend board meetings.
To discharge their functions more effectively, the Trustees delegate certain administrative aspects of the charity's day-to-day management to the School.
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Governance Code, which lays out the principles and recommended practices for good governance within the sector. They are satisfied that the charity applies the principles of the code within its current Governance arrangements.
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The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Report of the Trustees
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Each year, the Trustees consider applications from the School to support students enrolled in full-time courses and the Associates Programme with bursaries and scholarships.
The Endowment Fund awards the Royal Ballet School an annual grant to support the maintenance and care of its archive. This resource is available publicly online and in person by appointment.
Applications for one-off grants to support individual projects are considered case-by-case.
The Trustees work with three carefully chosen fund managers to maximise investment returns for the charity. The long-term objective for each fund manager is to protect capital and deliver a return of RPI + 3%.
The Trustees have carefully considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit in setting objectives and planning the activities.
The Endowment Fund has continued to make grants to students of the School and the School itself.
GRANT MAKING POLICY
The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund welcomes annual grant applications for the following:
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Full-time student bursaries
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Associate student bursaries
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Grants towards the running of the School’s archive.
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Annual prize awards
Trustees will consider applications for single awards for individual projects. When considering these applications, Trustees will make due regard to:
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The longer-term impact of the project on the School and its beneficiaries.
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Whether the applicant has approached other donors for support.
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The cash flow implications for the Endowment Fund and its investments.
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Whether specific restricted funds and finances are available to support the request.
There is no cap on the value that may be applied for, and each application will be considered on its merits. Trustees require a higher level of detail for larger, one-off grants. In some cases, Trustees may require a meeting with school representatives before deciding on a grant award. This will be advised on a case-by-case basis.
Trustees consider recent fund manager performance and any significant valuation changes or market events when reviewing grant applications.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Endowment Fund remains committed to providing public benefit in accordance with its founding principles. Following charity legislation, the Endowment Fund reports that it has carried out the charity’s purposes for the public benefit.
The School is open to any student who has the potential to become a classical ballet dancer, regardless of their family’s financial means. The Endowment Fund provides support to these students in the form of financial assistance and training facilities.
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The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Report of the Trustees
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The full financial results are shown on pages 11 to 26 of these financial statements. Incoming resources were £357,000 (2023: £764,000). In addition to investment income, the Endowment Fund benefited from several legacies totalling £82,000 (2023: £339,000).
Expenditure totalled £787,000 (2023: £768,000) with grants of £578,000 (2023: £575,000). As well as an annual grant award of £30,000 (2023: £30,000) to support The Royal Ballet School’s archive, £508,000 (2023: £505,000) was awarded to full-time students and a further £40,000 to provide bursaries for Associate students (2023: £40,000).
The Trustees continued to monitor the performance of the fund managers closely and the weighting of investments is discussed at every meeting.
The total net gain in the portfolio was £1,849,000 (2023: £251,000 loss) of which £196,000 was realised gain. Funds held with Troy Asset Management grew by 7.6%. Ruffer grew by 3.3% and Fundsmith by 10.1%.
While grant awards exceeded the value of receipts, total reserves grew to £29,822,000 (2023: £28,403,000).
FUNDS AND RESERVES POLICY
The charity aims to support The Royal Ballet School in sustaining and enhancing the quality of the education provided and ensuring that students of limited means can benefit from the world-class training provided by The Royal Ballet School.
The Trustees’ reserves policy is to continue growing the Charity’s funds to provide the School and its students with the resources needed now and in the future. The Trustees are mindful of the requirement to balance the needs of both current and future beneficiaries, ensuring capital values are maintained while delivering a return on investment to fund grant awards.
The Trustees have designated £1,798,000 of unrestricted funds (2023: £1,777,000), from which scholarships, financial support and facilities grants may be provided. The balance of £13,871,000 (2023: £12,939,000) represents the Charity’s general or free reserves. The Trustees receive regular updates from The Royal Ballet School on potential grant requests.
The Charity has several endowments and restricted funds, the use of which is limited as specified by donors. Funds not immediately required for expenditure are placed with the Endowment Fund’s fund managers for investment. Endowment funds of £7,365,000 (2023: £6,865,000) are held as investments to maintain the capital value. Income is set aside to spend on charitable activity according to the conditions the donor has given. The Charity has both permanent and expendable endowments: expendable endowments permit capital to be spent alongside returns.
Restricted funds of £6,788,000 (2023: £6,822,000) are subject to the specific restricted conditions imposed by the donor.
Details of these funds, the movements on the funds and the purposes for which they were given are shown in Notes 11 and 12, respectively.
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The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Report of the Trustees
INVESTMENT POWERS, POLICY AND PERFORMANCE
During the financial year, Troy Asset Management Limited, Ruffer LLP and Fundsmith LLP managed the Endowment Fund’s investment portfolio, with a strategy of protecting capital and providing a consistent long term return.
This strategy means that, overall, returns on investments outperform the market in difficult times but do less well than the market in periods of market growth. The Trustees continue to measure the portfolio's performance regularly against the agreed-upon target of 3% over RPI over a rolling five-year period.
Any paid dividend income earned from permanent endowment investment funds is immediately transferred to restricted income funds and made available for grant awards.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Trustees are responsible for risk management. Detailed risk consideration is carried out by the trustees. Key controls used by the Trustees to identify and assess risks during the year include:
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The formal programme of risk assessments and steps to mitigate identified risks.
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Comprehensive strategic planning for future growth and planned expenditure.
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Investment performance review against target returns.
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Formal authorisation and approval levels.
The most significant risk identified relates to the investment portfolio's value, the income from which is used to finance the Endowment Fund’s activities.
Through the risk management processes above, the Trustees anticipate that major risks will be identified and, as far as practicable, adequately mitigated. It is recognised that systems can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that major risks have been adequately managed.
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising is a very modest part of the Charity’s activities, with a focus on legacies and legacy pledges. Supporters of the connected charity, The Royal Ballet School are asked to consider leaving a gift in their will to the Charity.
No professional fundraising organisations are used. The Royal Ballet School's Development staff provides occasional fundraising support. The Charity has not subscribed to the Fundraising Regulator but adheres to the Code of Fundraising Practice when undertaking fundraising activity.
The Endowment Fund received no complaints regarding fundraising activity. The Endowment Fund takes its responsibility to anyone who might be vulnerable very seriously, and this will continue to be considered in its approach to fundraising activity.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
Trustees have reviewed The Royal Ballet School's strategic plans to estimate longer-term grant requirements. In the coming months, Trustees will attend a meeting of The Royal Ballet School’s Board of Governors to ensure the longer-term strategic objectives of both charities are shared and aligned.
The Trustees intend to continue making grants to assist current and future beneficiaries. They are mindful of the uncertainty surrounding the Department for Education’s funding of The Royal Ballet School, changes to the VAT status for independent schools from January 2025 and the loss of business rate relief for independent schools from April 2025.
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The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Report of the Trustees
Following the implementation of the Charities Act 2022, Trustees have reviewed their approach to permanent endowment fund investments and agreed to implement a total return approach from 1 September 2024.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards).
The law, applicable to charities in England and Wales, 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 the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions, 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 Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 March 2025
Kenneth Steele Trustee
46 Floral Street Covent Garden London WC2E 9DA
Page 6
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Auditor’s Report
For the year ended 31 August 2024
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND
OPINION
We have audited the financial statements of The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund (‘the charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 August 2024 and of its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
BASIS FOR OPINION
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to 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 the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustee's 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 charity's ability to continue as a going concern for 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 concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
OTHER INFORMATION
The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
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 otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is material
Page 7
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Auditor’s Report
For the year ended 31 August 2024
misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees’ report; or
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sufficient and proper accounting records have not been kept by the charity; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 7, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to 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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have been appointed as auditor under section 151 of the Charities Act 2011, and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from 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 of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement 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 of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
EXTENT TO WHICH THE AUDIT WAS CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF DETECTING IRREGULARITIES, INCLUDING FRAUD
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements from irregularities, whether due to fraud or error, and discussed these between our audit team members. We then designed and performed audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
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Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Auditor’s Report
For the year ended 31 August 2024
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charity operates, focusing on those laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were the Charities Act 2011 together with the Charities SORP (FRS102). We assessed the required compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which might be fundamental to the charity’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charity for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context for the UK operations were General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the Trustees and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
We identified the greatest risk of material impact on the financial statements from irregularities, including fraud, to be within the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management, and the Finance Committee about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases, reviewing regulatory correspondence with the Charity Commission and reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
USE OF OUR REPORT
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees 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 charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Crowe U.K. LLP
Statutory Auditor
London
6 May 2025
Crowe U.K. LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
Page 9
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 August 2024
| Notes Unrestricted Funds £000 Endowment Funds £000 Restricted Funds £000 Income from: Donations 1 81 - 1 Investments 2 156 30 89 Total income 237 30 90 Expenditure on: Raising funds 3 90 17 82 Charitable activities 4 30 137 411 Governance costs 5 20 - - Total expenditure 140 154 493 Net income/(expenditure) 97 (124) (403) Transfers between funds (43) - 43 Net gains on investments 899 624 326 Net movement in funds 953 500 (34) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 14,716 6,865 6,822 Total funds carried forward 15,669 7,365 6,788 |
2024 £000 82 275 357 189 578 20 787 (430) - 1,849 1,419 28,403 29,822 |
2023 £000 539 225 |
|---|---|---|
| 764 | ||
| 185 575 8 |
||
| 768 | ||
| (4) - (272) |
||
| (276) | ||
| 28,679 | ||
| 28,403 |
The net incoming resources for the year arise from the Charity’s continuing operations.
The accounting policies and notes on pages 14 to 26 form part of these financial statements.
Page 10
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund
Balance sheet
to 31 August 2024
| Notes Fixed assets Heritage assets - ballet memorabilia 6 Investments 7 Total fixed assets Current assets Prepayments and accrued income Cash at bank Total current assets Liabilities – falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals Total liabilities Total net assets 9 The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds General fund Designated funds Total unrestricted funds 10 Endowment funds 11 Restricted funds 12 Total charity funds |
2024 £000 32 29,459 _ 29,491 - 341 341 (1) (9) (10) 29,822 13,871 1,798 15,669 7,365 6,788 29,822 |
2023 £000 32 27,564 _ 27,596 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 811 |
||
| 816 | ||
| - (9) |
||
| (9) | ||
| 28,403 | ||
| 12,939 1,777 |
||
| 14,716 6,865 6,822 |
||
| 28,403 |
The financial statements on pages 11 to 26 were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 24 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Kenneth Steele Trustee
Kate Bolsover Trustee
Page 11
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Statement of cash flows
31 August 2024
| Note Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used by operating activities A below Cash flows from investing activities: Dividends and interest from investments Interest receivable (Reduction)/Allocation of funds for investments Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Receipt of legacies Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash in the reporting period Cash at the beginning of the year Cash at the end of the year B below Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities: Note A Net income, from the statement of financial activities Adjustments for: (Gains)/Losses on investments Dividends, interest and rents from investments Increase in debtors (Decrease)/Increase in creditors Net cash used in operating activities Analysis of cash Note B Cash at bank and in hand |
2024 (701) 252 23 (126) 149 82 82 (470) 811 341 2024 £000 1,419 (1,849) (275) 5 (1) (701) 2024 £000 341 |
2023 £000 184 |
|---|---|---|
| 211 14 (1,396) |
||
| (1,171) | ||
| 539 | ||
| 539 (448) 1,259 |
||
| 811 | ||
| 2023 £000 (276) 272 (225) (5) 418 |
||
| 184 | ||
| 2023 £000 811 |
Page 12
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Accounting policies
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and the 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) – effective 1 January 2015.
TRUE AND FAIR OVERRIDE
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The accounts are drawn up on the historical cost basis of accounting, as modified by the revaluation of investments.
The Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund is a Public Benefit Entity registered as a charity in England and Wales and was established under a Definitive Trust Deed dated 9 June 1982 (charity number 285766).
GOING CONCERN
The Trustees have reviewed the current economic situation and the impact on the financial markets carefully with a view to managing the investment portfolio and the ability to fund future grants.
Having reviewed the funding facilities available to the Charity together with the expected ongoing need for grants and the Charity’s future projected cash flows, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future and consider that there were no material uncertainties over the Charity’s financial viability. Accordingly, they also continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements as outlined in the Statement of Accounting and Reporting Responsibilities on page 7.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENT AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATING UNCERTAINTY
In the application of the accounting policies, Trustees are required to make judgement, estimates and assumptions about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affected current and future periods.
In the view of the trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets or liabilities at the balance sheet date are likely to result in a material adjustment to their carrying amounts in the next financial year.
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Charity’s financial statements.
INCOME
Income consists of donations, legacies and investment income. All income is accounted for when the Charity has entitlement, there is probability of receipt and the amount is measurable. Legacies are recorded when they are received, on receipt of finalised estate accounts or where there is sufficient evidence that the legacy will probably be received. Investment income is apportioned to unrestricted, endowment and restricted funds based on the values of the funds. The income generated from permanent endowment funds is apportioned to restricted funds for future expenditure.
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Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Accounting policies
EXPENDITURE
Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Costs are allocated to the particular activity to which they relate. Grants payable are recognised when a constructive obligation exists. Governance costs comprise costs of running the Charity.
HERITAGE ASSETS
Heritage assets are valued at the cost of purchase less any impairment in value over the period. Donated heritage assets have not been valued, as it is not practicable to obtain a valuation of unique assets. Heritage assets held are ballet memorabilia and are tangible fixed assets of historical and artistic importance held to advance the educational objectives of the Charity and The Royal Ballet School. Where these assets are capitalised, depreciation is not charged because the assets have a very long useful life and the estimated residual value is not materially different from the carrying amount. The assets are subject to an annual impairment review by the Trustees and there was no reduction in the value of the heritage assets during the year.
INVESTMENTS
Investments, including bonds held as part of an investment portfolio, are held at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, with gains and losses being recognised within income and expenditure.
FUND ACCOUNTING
The charitable trust funds of the Charity are accounted for as unrestricted or restricted income, or as endowment capital, in accordance with the terms of trust imposed by the donors or any appeal to which they may have responded. Endowment funds are further subdivided into permanent and expendable endowment funds.
Unrestricted general funds comprise the accumulated unrestricted surplus or deficit each year.
Unrestricted designated funds are amounts put aside by the Trustees to follow the donors’ preferences, although the Trustees have discretion on using these funds.
Permanent endowment funds consist of capital that cannot be spent. The income earned on these funds is subject to specific conditions imposed by the donors and is shown in restricted funds.
Expendable endowment funds consist of funds where the capital can be spent, and the funds are subject to specific conditions imposed by the donors.
Restricted funds are subject to specific restricted conditions imposed by the donors. Paid income from permanent endowments are held in these funds and are restricted by the conditions imposed on the permanent endowment funds.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised value, except investments which are held at fair value. Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash at bank and in hand, together with trade and other debtors. A specific provision is made for debts for which recoverability is in doubt. Cash at bank and in hand is defined as all cash held in instant access bank accounts and used as working capital. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise all creditors except social security and other taxes and provisions. Assets and liabilities held in foreign currency are translated to GBP at the balance sheet date at an appropriate year-end exchange rate.
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Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Accounting policies
| 1 DONATIONS Legacies Donations Total 2 INVESTMENT INCOME Equities Cash 3 EXPENDITURE Investment Management Costs 4 CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE Grants to students Grants to School 5 GOVERNANCE COSTS Fees payable to the auditor for the statutory audit Legal fees for fund review |
Unrestricted 142 14 156 Unrestricted 90 Unrestricted - 30 30 0.00 |
Endowment 27 3 30 Endowment 17 Endowment 137 - 137 0.00 |
Restricted 83 6 89 Restricted 82 Restricted 411 - 411 0.00 |
2024 82 - 82 2024 Total 252 23 275 2024 Total 189 2024 Total 548 30 578 0.00 2024 9 11 20 |
2023 339 200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 539 | |||||
| 2023 Total 211 14 |
|||||
| 225 | |||||
| 2023 Total 185 |
|||||
| 2023 Total 545 30 |
|||||
| 575 | |||||
| 0.00 2023 8 - |
|||||
| 8 |
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Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
6 HERITAGE ASSETS
The heritage assets of £32,000 (2023: £32,000) consist of the cost of ballet memorabilia of Margot Fonteyn who was a former alumna of the School. The purchase was made in the year 2000/01 and the Trustees have carried out an impairment review and there is no reduction in the value of these assets.
| 7 INVESTMENTS Market value brought forward New money invested Reinvested income Proceeds received Management charges Net gain/(loss) on revaluation Market value carried forward The investment portfolio is divided into the following classes: Equities Fixed interest Index-linked Credit and illiquid strategies Gold Forward foreign exchange Options Global Funds Hedge funds Cash |
2024 27,564 235 (189) 27,610 1,849 29,459 29,459 - - - - - - - - - 29,459 |
2023 27,815 206 (185) |
|---|---|---|
| 27,836 (272) |
||
| 27,564 | ||
| 19,803 1,454 3,025 668 426 7 561 1,325 - 295 |
||
| 27,564 |
Page 16
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
8 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The connected charity, The Royal Ballet School, has as its purpose the training and education of students for a career as ballet dancers. Two of the Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Trustees are also Trustees and Governors of The Royal Ballet School (2023: two). During the year the Endowment Fund provided grants to students and to the School of £578,000 (2023: £575,000). The School has not recharged any sum for staff costs in either year. The Endowment Fund is a creditor of The Royal Ballet School at the balance sheet date of £309 (2023: £nil).
There are no other related party transactions (2023: None).
9 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSEST BY FUND
| FUNDS: Unrestricted Designated Endowment Funds Restricted Funds ANALYSIS OF NET ASSEST BY FUND 2023 Unrestricted Designated Endowment Funds Restricted Funds |
Fixed Assets 32 - - - 32 Fixed Assets 32 - - - 32 |
Investments 13,508 1,798 7,365 6,788 29,459 Investments 12,100 1,777 6,865 6,822 27,564 |
Net Current Assets 331 - - - 331 Net Current Assets 807 - - - 807 |
Total Funds 2024 13,871 1,798 7,365 6,788 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29,822 | ||||
| Total Funds 2023 12,939 1,777 6,865 6,822 |
||||
| 28,403 |
Page 17
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
10 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| General fund Designated Sutton fund Designated GBL Wilson fund Designated GT Sindell fund Designated Dulcie Pamela Tilley fund Valarie Adams Award UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 2023 General fund Designated Sutton fund Designated GBL Wilson fund Designated GT Sindell fund Designated Dulcie Pamela Tilley fund Valarie Adams Award |
Balance at 1 Sept 2023 £000 12,939 716 776 17 245 23 14,716 Balance at 1 Sept 2022 £000 12,706 729 821 17 250 24 14,547 |
Income £000 218 7 8 - 3 1 237 Income £000 456 7 7 - 2 - 472 |
Expenditur e £000 (99) (4) (35) - (2) - (140) Expenditur e £000 (86) (4) (35) - (2) - (127) |
Gains & Transfers £000 814 (9) 37 1 12 1 856 Gains & Transfers £000 (137) (16) (17) - (5) (1) (176) |
Balance at 31 Aug 2024 £000 13,872 710 786 18 258 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,669 | |||||
| Balance at 31 Aug 2023 £000 12,939 716 776 17 245 23 |
|||||
| 14,716 |
-
The General Fund comprises of the accumulated unrestricted surplus or deficit each year
-
The Sutton Scholarship Fund is a designated fund available to fund scholarships to the School but the requirements of the gift require it to be held as a separate fund with identifiable investments.
-
The designated GBL Wilson Fund provides funds for the School archive and library. The Fund also includes a collection of prints and lithographs, received by way of gift, which have not been capitalised and included in the balance sheet as their value cannot be ascertained with reasonable certainty. The Trustees consider that the amounts involved are not material. The fund is being used to help with the costs of looking after the School Archive
-
The GT Sindell Fund is designated to fund scholarships to The Royal Ballet School. The fund is used when the School requires funding for scholarships.
-
The Dulcie Pamela Tilley Fund is designated to fund exchange programmes with foreign ballet schools, international ballet tours, performances and student scholarships. The Trustees of the estate request that the legacy be applied where possible in the above order or priority. This fund is therefore used for exchange programmes as required by the School.
-
The Valarie Adams Award is a designated fund to provide an annual student award in Valerie Adams name.
Page 18
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
11 ENDOWMENT FUNDS
| ENDOWMENT FUNDS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent endowment funds Askew Scholarship Fund Brian Shaw Memorial Fund Usherwood Fund J Edward Conway Fund McMillan Memorial Fund Calleva Foundation Fund Morris Kemp Foundation Fund John Dorrick Brookes Fund Lynn Seymour Award Rob Wallace Scholarship Fund Prince of Wales Bursary Fund Charles Hollway Bursary Fund The Madeleine and Timothy Plaut Bursary Fund Expendable endowment funds Ethel Rose Hart Fund Joseph Lockwood Fund Nellie Florence Watson Fund Aud Jebsen Scholarship Fund |
Balance at 1 Sept 2023 285 98 59 112 52 816 455 100 27 1,025 144 831 65 4,069 545 2,019 65 167 2,796 6,865 |
Income - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 21 1 2 30 30 |
Expenditure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (8) (48) (36) (62) (154) (154) |
Gains & Transfers 34 12 7 13 6 98 55 12 3 124 17 100 8 489 26 98 3 8 135 624 |
Balance at 31 Aug 2024 319 110 66 125 58 914 510 112 30 1,149 161 931 73 |
| 4,558 | |||||
| 569 2,090 33 115 |
|||||
| 2,807 | |||||
| 7,365 |
Page 19
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
| ENDOWMENT FUNDS 2023 Permanent endowment funds Askew Scholarship Fund Brian Shaw Memorial Fund Usherwood Fund J Edward Conway Fund McMillan Memorial Fund Calleva Foundation Fund Morris Kemp Foundation Fund John Dorrick Brookes Fund Lynn Seymour Award Rob Wallace Scholarship Fund Prince of Wales Bursary Fund Charles Hollway Bursary Fund The Madeleine and Timothy Plaut Bursary Fund Expendable endowment funds Ethel Rose Hart Fund Joseph Lockwood Fund Nellie Florence Watson Fund |
Balance at 1 Sept 2022 277 95 57 109 51 793 442 97 26 997 140 808 63 3,955 560 2,090 96 - 2,746 6,701 |
Income - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 17 1 202 225 225 |
Expenditure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (8) (43) (31) (31) (113) (113) |
Gains & Transfers 8 3 2 3 1 23 13 3 1 28 4 23 2 114 (12) (45) (1) (4) (62) 52 |
Balance at 31 Aug 2023 285 98 59 112 52 816 455 100 27 1,025 144 831 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,069 | |||||
| 545 2,019 65 167 |
|||||
| 2,796 | |||||
| 6,865 |
Permanent endowment funds
Permanent endowment funds are capital funds where the donor has specified that the capital is invested to provide income and only the income can be spent. This income is accumulated separately in restricted funds as shown in Note 11 with the following restrictions:
-
The Askew Scholarship Fund is available to fund bursaries and scholarships to the School but is required to be held in a separate fund with identifiable investments
-
The Brian Shaw Memorial Fund can be used to fund bursaries and scholarships to the School
-
The Usherwood Fund is to provide an annual bursary or scholarship to the School
-
The J Edward Conway Fund is to fund Birmingham associates
-
The MacMillan Memorial Fund for Young Dancers is to be invested and the income is to be used annually as a bursary for a male student to help him with his studies in memory of Sir Kenneth MacMillan
-
The Calleva Foundation Fund is to be invested and the income generated is to provide an annual scholarship for a pupil of the Upper School
-
The Morris Kemp Foundation Fund is to be invested and used to provide scholarships and bursaries for one or two pupils who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend the School
Page 20
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
-
Income from the John Dorrick Brookes Fund is available to fund scholarships for a deserving female student of the Upper School
-
The Lynn Seymour Award funds an annual prize for Upper School students.
-
The Rob Wallace Scholarship Fund was set up from generous donations to celebrate the achievements of School Governor Rob Wallace on his retirement. The fund pays for an annual scholarship
-
The Prince of Wales Bursary Fund was set up on the occasion of H.R.H Prince of Wales’ 70[th] birthday. Generous donors made gifts to the fund to provide a named bursary to a student of The Royal Ballet School.
-
The Charles Hollway Bursary Fund is to provide a named bursary to a student of The Royal Ballet School.
-
The Madeleine and Timothy Plaut Bursary Fund is to provide a named bursary to a student of The Royal Ballet School
Expendable endowment funds
The capital element of these funds can be expended, so the fund balances represent the capital donation and subsequent income and related gains, which can all be expended
-
The Ethel Rose Hart Fund is to provide one annual scholarship of £5,000 awarded for excellence in ballet and shall be called the Ethel Rose Hart Scholarship
-
The Joseph Lockwood Scholarship fund is available to provide an annual scholarship to the Upper School
-
The Nellie Florence Watson Fund is available to provide funding for one student per annum
-
The Aud Jebsen Scholarship provides an annual scholarship for a student of The Royal Ballet School Upper School until the academic 2037/38 when any residual funds will be used for the general furtherment of the charity’s purposes.
Page 21
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
12 RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Restricted income from permanent endowment funds Askew Scholarship Fund Brian Shaw Memorial Fund Usherwood Fund J Edward Conway Fund McMillan Memorial Fund Calleva Foundation Fund Morris Kemp Foundation Fund John Dorrick Brookes Fund Lynn Seymour Award Rob Wallace Scholarship Fund Prince of Wales Bursary Fund Charles Hollway Bursary Fund The Madeleine and Timothy Plaut Bursary Fund Restricted funds Dame Margot Fonteyn Fund Hines Fund John Lyons Charity Fund Upper School Maintenance Fund Noreen Mummery Fund Elizabeth Mills Fund Partnership & Access Fund White Lodge Appeal Fund Royal Ballet School Fund Ashton Award Captain & Mrs John Moore Award |
Balance at 1 Sept 2023 - - - - 91 - - - 15 - - - - 106 730 270 - 1,697 924 90 614 1,106 1,250 18 17 6,716 6,822 |
Income 1 - 1 - 2 3 2 - - 4 1 4 - 18 8 3 - 18 10 1 7 12 13 - - 72 90 |
Expenditure (3) (1) (1) (21) (31) (8) (5) (1) - (10) (1) (8) (1) (91) (300) (30) - (10) (6) (36) (4) (7) (8) (1) - (402) (493) |
Gains & Transfers 2 1 - 21 4 5 3 1 1 6 - 4 1 49 34 13 - 81 44 4 29 53 60 1 1 320 369 |
Balance at 31 Aug 2024 - - - - 66 - - - 16 - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | |||||
| 472 256 - 1,786 972 59 646 1,164 1,315 18 18 |
|||||
| 6,706 | |||||
| 6,788 |
Page 22
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
| RESTRICTED FUNDS 2023 Restricted income from permanent endowment funds Askew Scholarship Fund Brian Shaw Memorial Fund Usherwood Fund J Edward Conway Fund McMillan Memorial Fund Calleva Foundation Fund Morris Kemp Foundation Fund John Dorrick Brookes Fund Lynn Seymour Award Rob Wallace Scholarship Fund Prince of Wales Bursary Fund Charles Hollway Bursary Fund Restricted funds Dame Margot Fonteyn Fund Hines Fund Boscawen Fund John Lyons Charity Fund Upper School Maintenance Fund Noreen Mummery Fund Elizabeth Mills Fund Partnership & Access Fund White Lodge Appeal Fund Royal Ballet School Fund Ashton Award Captain & Mrs John Moore Award |
Balance at 1 Sept 2022 8 4 3 4 127 7 6 8 15 6 2 7 - 197 765 301 1 1,730 1,253 122 625 1,127 1,279 18 17 |
Income - - - - 1 1 1 - - 1 - 1 - 5 7 2 - 15 8 1 6 10 13 - - |
Expenditure (11) (5) (4) (5) (1) (15) (11) (9) - (16) (3) (15) (1) (96) (26) (27) (1) (11) (317) (31) (4) (7) (12) - - (436) (532) |
Gains & Transfers 3 1 1 1 (36) 7 4 1 - 9 1 7 1 - (16) (6) - (37) (20) (2) (13) (24) (30) - - (148) (148) |
Balance at 31 Aug 2023 - - - - 91 - - - 15 - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | |||||
| 730 270 - 1,697 924 90 614 1,106 1,250 18 17 |
|||||
| 7,238 | 62 | 6,716 | |||
| 7,435 | 67 | ||||
| 6,822 |
Restricted funds
-
The Dame Margot Fonteyn Fund can be applied to advance the education of children, young people and students of the School
-
The Hines Fund is to provide bursaries to the School for children coming from the West Country
-
The Boscawen Fund is used for the exchange of students and teachers between the School and the Royal Danish Ballet School. At the request of the trustees, this fund has been transferred to the General Fund and all restrictions discharged.
-
The John Lyons Charity Fund is available to fund bursaries for students from nine specific London Boroughs
Page 23
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
-
The Upper School Maintenance Fund is available to fund Royal Ballet Upper School premises and boarding accommodation
-
The Noreen Mummery Fund provides bursaries to students of the School which shall be known as Sopwith Bursaries
-
The Elizabeth Mills Fund was set up from a legacy left by the late Miss Mills and is to fund a scholarship or bursary for a student who would not otherwise be able to attend the School. The support will be known as the Elizabeth Florence May Mills Bursary
-
The Partnership & Access Fund is to support the School’s Partnership and Access programme through which children at state schools of both primary and secondary school age are given access to classical ballet through the School's students and network of teaching expertise
-
The White Lodge Appeal Fund is to support the acquisition of a new 100 year lease at White Lodge and redevelop the land and buildings at White Lodge.
-
The Royal Ballet School Fund is to further the charitable objectives of The Royal Ballet School.
-
The Ashton Award Fund provides an annual prize for a student or students of The Royal Ballet Upper School.
-
The Captain and Mrs John Moore Award Fund provides three annual prizes of £100 for students in their first year of the degree course.
-
The remaining restricted funds represent the expendable income element of the permanent endowment funds shown in note 10. This income is restricted to expenditure as shown in that note
13 TAXATION
As a registered charity, The Endowment Fund is potentially exempt from taxation of income and gains falling within sections 466 to 493 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 and section 521 to 536 of the Income Tax Act 2007.
Page 24
Royal Ballet School Endowment Fund Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
| 13 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 2023 Unrestricted Funds £000 Endowment Funds £000 Restricted Funds £000 Income and endowments from: Donations 339 200 - Investments 133 25 67 Total income 472 225 67 Expenditure on: Raising funds 89 17 79 Charitable activities 30 96 449 Governance costs 8 - - Total expenditure 127 113 528 Net income/(expenditure) 345 112 (461) Transfers between funds - - - Net (losses)/gains on investments (176) 52 (148) Net movement in funds 169 164 (609) Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 14,547 6,701 7,431 Total funds carried forward 14,716 6,865 6,822 |
2023 £000 539 225 |
|---|---|
| 764 | |
| 185 575 8 |
|
| 768 | |
| (4) - (272) |
|
| (276) | |
| 28,679 | |
| 28,403 |
Page 25