Company No. 01938686 Charity No. 292638
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP
REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative information | 2 |
| Trustees' report | 3 - 5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 - 12 |
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Constitution
The London Suzuki Group is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. Charity number 292638. Company number 01938686. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
Directors and Trustees
The directors of the charitable company ("the charity") are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees.
The directors and trustees serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Helen Brunner Edward de Nor (Chair) Melissa Gamage (Resigned 23 March 2025) Tessa Oakley Xing Peerless Cynthia Prieto Anne Thomas Jamey Whitnall (Resigned 23 March 2025) Jenny Yap (Treasurer) Secretary Jenny Yap (from 23 March 2025) Registered Office Unit C Q West 1110 Great West Road Brentford TW8 0GP Bankers CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling Kent ME19 4JK Independent Examiner Buzzacott Audit LLP 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The reference and administrative information set out on page 2 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
Objects of the Charity
The objects of the charity are the advancement of education, in particular increasing the public knowledge and appreciation of the art and science of music through the provision of musical education for children in accordance with the method and precepts of Shinichi Suzuki and his followers, and the instruction of children in accordance with the aforesaid method and precepts.
Organisation
A board of trustees of up to 11 members, who meet regularly, administers the charity. There are sub-committees covering bursaries and investment. A chairperson is appointed by the trustees and endorsed by the members in an Annual General Meeting and manages the dayto-day operations of the charity together with the administrator. Teaching and event matters are discussed in teacher meetings.
Investment Powers
Under the memorandum and articles of association, the charity has the power to make any investment which the trustees see fit.
Review of the Activities and Future Developments
The charity is in a very sound financial position having sold the building it previously owned. The continuing popularity of the London Suzuki Group in providing a thorough and enjoyable music education to children, aged 3 to late teens, is evidenced by the stable student roll.
The Group's annual events were musically inspirational, and the international summer residential course at Bryanston School were once again very successful.
The trustees continue to support the Group's teachers in continuous professional development to ensure the highest standard of teaching for the students. A number of courses, workshops, recitals and concerts were added and adapted to include virtual environments bringing opportunities of exceptional quality for musical education and community into members’ homes.
The charity would not be able to maintain the beneficial activities of the London Suzuki Group without the voluntary services of many members, the dedicated work of its teachers, and the professional work of its part-time staff. The success of the teaching and method may be judged by the very high standard of playing generally, and by the many music scholarships awarded to LSG students.
Risk Management
The trustees review the risks facing the charity and take action to mitigate these risks wherever possible. They consider the key risks faced by the Group to be:
• reductions in subscription income due to the demographics of the membership;
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 (Continued)
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an under-subscribed music course resulting in a financial loss; and
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a steep decline in investment income
Financial review
For the year ended 31 August 2025, LSG generated total income of £570,597 (2024: £546,715) and incurred total expenditure of £537,099 (2024: £551,845). In addition, the charity incurred unrealised investment losses of £30,197 (2024: gains of £63,214), resulting in net income for the year of £3,301 (2024: £58,084). The carried forward fund balance at 31 August 2025 amounted to a surplus balance of £1,107,559 (2024: £1,104,258).
Reserves Policy
The trustees believe that, under the present circumstances, the free reserves should be set at an amount equivalent to at least one year's operating costs. This policy and the amount of the reserve will be reviewed annually consistent with the charity's overall financial position, its risk profile and its need to maintain and develop its charitable activities. The free reserves at 31 August 2025 of £1.1million exceed the reserves target set by the trustees.
Investment Policy
The capital gained from the sale of the charity's property in a prior year was invested in the COIF Charities Investment Fund to generate an income return to fund those operations of the charity that are not covered by subscriptions or course fees, particularly bursaries for needful students to continue their music education.
Public Benefit Statement
The LSG aims primarily to complement the individual teaching that its members receive with concerts, recitals and courses, all of which bring the pupils together for ensemble work.
The LSG thus contributes directly to the music education of its members and their families, and to visitors to the concerts and other events, all of which are open to the public.
In addition to the direct educational benefits, the LSG brings together pupils, families and the wider public for concerts and other events, thus providing important social benefits.
The LSG is a membership organisation. Membership is open to all pupils learning with Suzukitrained teachers in the London area. The membership fee, currently £108, gives access to groups, recitals, concerts and courses. Some of these events are free to members, some are paid for. All of the events are partly or wholly subsidised from the subscription income, and from the income from investments.
In addition to the musical activities, the LSG operates a bursary scheme , carries out outreach activities to benefit lower income families, and, from time to time, makes donations to the British Suzuki Institute to further assist the aims of the LSG.
From fund-raising, donated funds and from investment income, bursaries are available to:
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pupils to help pay for their individual tuition;
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pupils to help pay for courses;
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pupils in state schools who cannot afford to be full members of the LSG to participate in LSG events;
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teachers to assist with their training costs;
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teachers to assist with their CPD costs.
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 (Continued)
All of the bursaries are subject to means testing.
The outreach scheme (the Suzuki in Schools Initiative, SuSI) is aimed at bringing the Suzuki method of music education to a wider, and lower income section of the public. The scheme pays for setting up and monitoring Suzuki method groups and individual teaching schemes in state and private schools. The scheme itself raises donations to help pupils with the cost of tuition.
From time to time, the LSG makes donations to the British Suzuki Music Association (BSMA) to help it fulfil its aims of national teacher training, national events and national promotion and publicity for the Suzuki method.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees (who are also directors of The London Suzuki Group for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law 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 charitable company and of the income and expenditure of the charitable company 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 Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the Board of Trustees:
Jenny Yap Trustee Date: 9 February 2026
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Company No. 01938686
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of London Suzuki Group for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the financial statements give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the for "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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)."
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Katharine Patel ACA Buzzacott Audit LLP Chartered Accountants 130 Wood Street London, EC2V 6DL
Date: 23 February 2026
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Restated | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | ||
| INCOME FROM: | |||
| Charitable Activities | |||
| Courses | 474,904 | 444,066 | |
| Event Sales | 11,503 | 13,071 | |
| Subscriptions Received | 54,957 | 49,571 | |
| Investments | 29,233 | 30,126 | |
| Other | - | 9,881 | |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Total Income | 570,597 | 546,715 | |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| EXPENDITURE ON: | |||
| Charitable Activities: | |||
| Courses | 3 | 433,352 | 426,066 |
| Event Expenses | 34,365 | 38,683 | |
| Support and governance costs | 4 | 69,382 | 87,096 |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Total Expenditure | 537,099 | 551,845 | |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Net Income/(Expenditure) for the Year Before | 33,498 | (5,130) | |
| Other Recognised Gains and Losses | |||
| Other Recognised Gains and Losses | |||
| Unrealised (Losses) Gains on Revaluation | |||
| of Investments | 8 | (30,197) | 63,214 |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Net Income/Net Movement in Funds | 6 | 3,301 | 58,084 |
| Fund Balances Brought Forward at 1 September 2024 | |||
| - Restated | 12 | 1,104,258 | 1,046,174 |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Fund Balances Carried Forward at 31 August 2025 | 1,107,559 | 1,104,258 |
All income and expenditure relates to unrestricted funds and derives from continuing operations.
The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these accounts
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
| Restated | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Note | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible Assets | 7 | - | 3,610 |
| Investments | 8 | 818,666 | 848,863 |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| 818,666 | 852,473 | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Cash at Bank and in Hand | 9 | 292,313 | 315,465 |
| Debtors (Due Within One Year) | 2,280 | - | |
| ----------- | ----------- | ||
| 294,593 | 315,465 | ||
| Creditors:Amounts Falling Due | |||
| Within One Year | 10 | (5,700) | (63,680) |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Net Current Assets | 288,893 | 251,785 | |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | 1,107,559 | 1,104,258 | |
| Creditors:Amounts Falling Due | |||
| After More Than One Year | - | - | |
| ––––––– | ––––––– | ||
| Net Assets | 1,107,559 | 1,104,258 | |
| Represented by: | |||
| Funds and reserves | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 1,107,559 | 1,104,258 |
In preparing these financial statements:
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(a) the directors are of the opinion that the company is entitled to the exemption from audit conferred by Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006
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(b) no notice has been deposited under Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006; and
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(c) the directors acknowledge their responsibilities for (i) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006, and (ii) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of this Act relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by the Board of Trustees:
Trustee - Jenny Yap Date: 9 February 2026
The notes on page 9 to 12 form part of these accounts
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" ("FRS 102"), "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
(b) Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have closely monitored the charity's financial position since the year end and are satisfied that it will be able to meet its obligations over the next 12 months as they fall due. Moreover, the Trustees are satisfied that there are no identified uncertainties relating to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.
(c) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Preparation of the financial statements may require the trustees and management to make significant judgements and estimates. Other than the going concern judgements made above, there are no further areas of significant judgement or estimate.
(d) Cash flow statement
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under FRS 102.
(e) Depreciation
Depreciation is charged over the estimated useful life of the assets on the following basis:
Equipment 20% reducing balance
(f) Income
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor or funder has specified that the income is to be expended in a future accounting period.
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 (Continued)
(g) Expenditure
Expenditure is included in the statement of financial activities when incurred and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.
(h) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds represent those monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charitable company at the discretion of the Trustees.
2. LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
3.
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| COURSES EXPENDITURE Hire of School Faculty Fees Pre Course Admin Piano Hire Other Costs SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS Support costs: BSI – Admin Charges & Donations Bank Charges Insurance Teachers’ Bursary Payments Teachers’ Meetings Fees Subscriptions Paid SuSi Outreach Other costs Governance costs: Accountancy and Independent Examination Fees |
2025 £ 278,478 84,335 20,128 10,950 81,013 ––––––– 474,904 2025 £ - 1,632 2,248 19,214 1,316 30,773 1,919 12,280 5,400 ––––––– 69,382 |
2024 £ 265,482 86,320 19,653 8,340 46,271 ––––––– 426,066 2024 £ 30,000 1,536 2,221 14,645 1,351 29,861 2,663 3,319 1,500 –––––– 87,096 |
|---|---|---|
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 (Continued)
5. STAFF COSTS AND TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION
There were no employees during the year (2024: none). The Trustees were not paid during the period in respect of their duties as trustees and no expenses were reimbursed to Trustees (2024: none).
6. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR THE YEAR
| The net movement in fund for the year is stated after charging: Depreciation on Tangible Fixed Assets 7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Cost Balance at 1 September 2024 Write offs Balance at 31 August 2025 Depreciation Balance at 1 September 2024 Charge for the Year Write offs Balance at 31 August 2025 Net Book Value At 31 August 2024 At 31 August 2025 |
2025 2024 £ £ - 903 Equipment £ 21,484 (21,484) ––––– - ––––– 17,874 - (17,874) ––––– - ––––– 3,610 ––––– - ––––– |
|---|---|
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Company No. 01938686
THE LONDON SUZUKI GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 (Continued)
| 8. INVESTMENTS Market Value at 1 September 2024 Net Investment (Losses) Gains on Revaluation Market Value at 31 August 2025 Comprising: COIF Charities Investment Fund – Income Units Unrealised Gains at 31 August 2025 Unrealised Gains at 31 August 2024 Movement in Unrealised Gains/(Losses) Realised Gains Net Investment (Losses) Gains in year |
2025 £ 848,863 (30,197) ––––––– 818,666 818,666 356,609 386,806 ––––––– (30,197) - ––––––– (30,197) |
2024 £ 785,649 63,214 ––––––– 848,863 848,863 386,806 450,020 ––––––– 63,214 - ––––––– 63,214 |
|---|---|---|
9. BANK AND CASH
Included in the bank and cash balance is £174,726 which is held in a COIF Charities Deposit Fund (2024: £74,726).
10. CREDITORS – Amounts falling due within one year
| CREDITORS – Amounts falling due within one year | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals | 5,700 | 63,680 |
11. Related parties
There are no related party transactions to report for the years ended 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2024.
12. Prior year adjustment
The financial results for the year ended 31 August 2024 have been restated to remove certain balance sheet items sitting within debtors and creditors which were not deemed to be a reflection of the underlying financial position of the Group at that date. The net impact on the financial results for the year ended 31 August 2024 has been to increase the net income reported for the year by £9,881 and to increase the funds carried forward at that date by an equivalent amount.
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