## James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust
Charity Number: 295080
Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2023
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Index to the Financial Statements**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Charity information|1|
|Trustees' Report|2 - 4|
|Independent Examiner's Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|7|
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Charity information**
|**Charity Number**|295080|
|---|---|
|**Principal Address**|Talton Farm Cottage|
||Newbold-on-Stour|
||Stratford-upon-Avon|
||Warwickshire|
||CV37 8UB|
|**Trustees**|Stephen Fewell (Chair)|
||Robert Gill (Secretary)|
||Jonathon Kemp (Treasurer)|
||Lucy Popescu|
||Derek Bond (Appointed 15 September 2023)|
|**Patrons**|Dame Judi Dench|
||Sir Ian McKellen|
||Clare Menzies-Kitchin MBE|
||Tom Morris OBE|
|**Bankers**|HSBC|
||13 Chapel Street|
||Stratford upon Avon|
||Warwickshire|
||CV 37 6ET|
||CAF Bank Limited|
||25 Kings Hill Avenue|
||Kings Hill|
||West Malling|
||Kent ME19 4JQ|
1
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2023
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## _**Governing Document**_
The James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust, known as the JMK Trust, is a registered charity governed by trust deed dated 20th August 1986.
## _**Objectives and Activities**_
The Trust facilitates young and emerging theatre directors in developing and staging their work, providing professional support and mentorship. Each year the JMK Trust provides talented directors with awards and bursaries, guidance and development candidate.
Since 1997 the JMK Trust has nurtured and discovered a new generation of exciting, visionary young directors whose work and influence can be seen throughout the British theatre industry.
## _**Achievemnts and Performance**_
guidance on public benefit.
The charity continued to experience increasing programme delivery as well as staffing challenges post-pandemic, but managed to depart role and a replacement was in pace within the month. The challenges implicit in this role, combining fundraising, administrative and creative liaising with partners and early career artists have become more apparent post-pandemic. The Trust has increased wages in line with inflation in order to keep pace with an increase in the cost of living, but staff retention remains an issue. The departing General Manager left with everything in good order, and funding streams in place to deliver our work for the year.
The JMK Award is the single most sought-after prize for outstanding young theatre directors. Great directors acknowledge that you process has itself given a powerful impetus to the best theatre practitioners of the future.
The application process for the JMK Award in 2023 had to take place over a shorter time period in order to fit in with our host
136 applications were received, an increase of almost 20% on the previous year. As in previous years, the additional work generated was achieved by calling upon volunteers to support the reading and selection process, drawn from alumni, previous staff, trustees and host venue staff. Eight finalists were selected in March 2023. 63% of these applicants were women, 38% were global majority or dual heritage, 25% were disabled, 63% were state educated. The 2023 finalists were Fay Lomas, Leian John-Baptiste, Tash Hyman, Kalungi Ssebandeke, Sarah Stace, Sam Hardie, Laura Wooff and Hana Pascal Keegan. The winner of the JMK Award in 2023 was Kalungi Ssebandeke, previously a recipient of the 2020 Alfred Fagon Roland Rees Bursary, with his production of Meetings by Mustafa Matura which ran at the Orange Tree Theatre from 14th October to 11th November 2023. Kalungi was awarded the JMK Award for his proposal with designer Olivia Jamieson. The production once more encountered actors with careers or national and international reputation . The runners-up for the 2023 JMK Award were director Tash Hyman with her designer Anna Orton and their proposed production of Midsummer by David Greig.
2
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## _**Achievements and Performance - Cont**_
The JMK Award was supported by the Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust, the Fidelio Charitable Trust, The Patricia Routledge Foundation, The Hollick Family Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The Martin Bowley Charitable Trust and significantly The Katie Bradford Arts Trust.
In this period the National Programme, funded by the Arts Council Grants for the Arts and The Golsoncott Foundation, continued to encounter a national theatre ecology that has transformed since the pandemic. The programme was designed to be facilitated by four Director Practitioners, employed by the Trust on a freelance basis, each covering a different sector nationally. One departure and one extended maternity period demanded recruitment of two new Director Practitioners during the year. One was successfully recruited but the other proved challenging. Fortunately we had staff volunteers working in North East theatre venues during the year, and were able to sustain relationships with host venues. By visiting these venues, it is apparent that artist development has director workshops are not currently in place. Pathways from one opportunity to another are no longer clearly signposted for participants in activities around the country.
The recruitment process for two new Assistant Director Bursaries funded by The Victoria Wood Foundation, at the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester and Leeds Playhouse, took place in Spring 2023. Laura May Brunk assisted Roy Alexander Weise MBE, a previous beneficiary of the JMK Award, on his production of A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Zoe Lack assisted Amy Leach on her production of Lord of the Flies.
This year saw the departure of Vice-Chair and former JMK Award recipient, Mark Rosenblatt in order to focus on playwriting and family commitments, as well as Chris Haydon and Justin Audibert, both departing due to increased responsibilities as Artistic Directors at The Rose Kingston and The Festival Theatre, Chichester.
## _**Financial Review**_
The Trustees present the accounts for the year ending 30 September 2023. Income and expenditure for the period was greater than £25,000 and the accounts have therefore undergone independent examination in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Commission.
Total receipts for the period amounted to £89,238 (2021/22 £44,506) against payments of £101,569 (2020/21 £44,512). The Trust will carry forward £24,061 at the end of this period, of which £7,644 is restricted funding.
## _**Reserves Policy**_
The Trust relies on the generous support of grant funders and donors to fund its work. Given the uncertain nature of such funding in the long term, and increases this year in the competition for such funding and extended application processes, it is the renewed policy of the Trustees that sufficient unrestricted funds should be maintained. Industry standard across the sector is a reserve equivalent to three months operational costs - £8,800. The board would like to achieve this in the short term, with a longer term goal of achieving a reserve fund at a level equivalent to the costs of administering and making the main Award for one year, approximately £60,000.
process will review its level of reserves and reserves policy annually.
3
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Trustees' Report for the year ended 30 September 2023**
## _**Future Developments**_
Going forward, the Trust will look to pursue a hybrid model of online delivery and in-person activity for the National Programme as far as venue availability and public health allows, encouraging directors to come back to the rehearsal room, and maintaining the geographical reach/accessibility. Partner venues may need to change depending on where staff provision allows delivery to take place. A review of the programme, looking at alternative delivery methods e.g. through national companies rather than venues to take place in 23/24 before seeking further funding.
The Trust welcomed a new General Manager in February 2023. The Trust had been highly industrious and fortunate in its previous recruitment, and an effective handover took place, enabling us to sustain and deliver our work. However, the departing GM acknowledged the challenges of the GM role with its portfolio of responsibilities and the pressure of maintaining a funding pipeline that directly funds the GM salary.
The Trust is approaching historic liabilities in the shape of previous runners up who have not claimed their prizes. It will then redistribute these funds to reserves.
The Trust will continue to work on organisational development including reviewing the structure of the organisation and working to increase its fundraising capabilities and profile. In the financial year 2022-23 we ran a successful Big Give Christmas Challenge fundraising campaign and are grateful to all those who have supported the Trust enabling us to continue to deliver our important work during this challenging and uncertain time.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees
**Stephen Fewell Chair Date 28.07.2025**
4
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Independent Examiner's Report**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the trust for the year ended 30 September 2023, which comprise the Receipts and Payments Account and the related notes.
This report is made to the Trustees, as a body, in accordance with the terms of my engagement. My work has been undertaken so that I might carry out an Independent examination of the financial statements in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the
## _**Responsibilities and Basis of Report**_
Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011) and that an Independent Examination is required.
examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## _**Independent Examiners's Statement**_
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1) Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- 2) The accounts do not accord with those records; or
3) The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Graham Darbourne FCA
TC Group The Old Town Hall Market Place Oundle Peterborough PE8 4BA
## **Date: 28th July 2025**
5
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
**Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 September 2023**
|**Note**
**Receipts**
Grants and donations
**1**
Income Tax recovered on donations
Income from productions
Contribution from regional venues
Bank interest received
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
_JMK Award and National Programme_
Winning production Trustee night
National Programme
Assistant Director Bursaries
Award Announcement
Selection process expenses
_Administraction and Fundraising_
Administrative expenses
Insurance
Independent Examination
Staff Costs
Public Relations & Marketing
Fundraising Expenses
**Total Payments**
**Net income / (deficit) for the year**
Balance brought forward
Transfer between funds
**Balance carried forward**
**Cash at bank**
- Deposit account
- Current account|**Unrestricted**
**Fund**
**£**
45,539
2,300
-
300
99
**48,238**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,373
623
1,500
32,989
4,800
26
43,311
43,311
4,926
11,491
-
16,417
1,173
15,244
**16,417**|**Restricted**
**Fund**
**£**
41,000
-
-
-
-
**41,000**
33,000
1,464
158
16,383
5,507
460
765
57,738
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
57,738
(16,738)
24,382
-
7,644
7,644
**7,644**
**2022 / 2023**|**Total**
**Funds**
**£**
**86,539**
**2,300**
**-**
**300**
**99**
**89,238**
**33,000**
**1,464**
**158**
**16,383**
**5,507**
**460**
**765**
**57,738**
**3,373**
**623**
**1,500**
**32,989**
**4,800**
**26**
**43,311**
**101,049**
(11,811)
**35,873**
-
24,061
**1,173**
**22,888**
**24,061**|2021 / 2022
Total
Funds
£
41,479
1,185
-
1,825
18
**44,507**
8,000
1,856
-
6,152
1,450
1,071
841
**19,370**
2,238
623
1,500
20,103
250
428
**25,142**
**44,512**
(6)
35,879
-
35,873
2,663
33,210
35,873|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The note on page 7 forms part of these accounts
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees
**Stephen Fewell Chair**
**Date 28.07.2025**
## **James Menzies-Kitchin Memorial Trust**
## **Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2023**
|**Grants & Donations**
_Funder & Donations_
_Purpose_
The Victoria Woods Foundation
Regional Bursaries
Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust
National Programme
Fidelio Charitable Trust
JMK Award
Patricia Routledge Foundation
JMK Award
Hollick Family Foundation
National Programme
Arts Council England - G4A
National Programme
Arts Council England - CRF
JMK Award/Organisation
The Golsoncott Foundation
National Programme
The Garrick Charitable Trust
JMK Award
The Martin Bowley Charitable Trust
JMK Award
The Leche Trust
JMK Award
Big Give Donations
Core
Garfield Weston Foundation
Core
Foyle Foundation
Katie Bradford Arts Trust
Friends Scheme: Regular Donations
One off Donations|**Unrestricted**
**Income**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,195
15,000
7,500
10,000
3,866
5,978
45,539|**Restricted**
**Income**
-
4,000
2,000
2,000
5,000
22,500
-
-
-
5,500
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
41,000
**2022 / 2023**|**Total**
**Income**
**-**
**4,000**
**2,000**
**2,000**
**5,000**
**22,500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**5,500**
**-**
**3,195**
**15,000**
**7,500**
**10,000**
**3,866**
**5,978**
**86,539**|2021 / 2022
Total
Income
7,000
7,500
500
300
6,500
2,000
2,173
-
-
10,000
2,768
37
23,800|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **1 Grants & Donations**