**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02218996 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 298807**
**Alive Publishing Limited (A Company Limited by Guarantee)**
## **Report of the Trustees and**
**Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
Marshall & Co Chartered Accountants St Mary's House Crewe Road Alsager Stoke on Trent ST7 2EW
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**||1||
|**Report of the Trustees**|2|to|9|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||10||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||11||
|**Balance Sheet**|12|to|13|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|14|to|22|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|23|to|24|
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
**TRUSTEES** Mrs S L Conway (resigned 12/7/2023) M M Conway L M Conway (resigned 12/7/2023) Miss J M Moorhead Mrs C Kormoczy Mrs M T Mazur Trustee (appointed 12/7/2023) **REGISTERED OFFICE** St Mary's House Crewe Road Alsager Stoke on Trent ST7 2EW **REGISTERED COMPANY** 02218996 (England and Wales) **NUMBER REGISTERED CHARITY** 298807 **NUMBER INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Marshall & Co Chartered Accountants St Mary's House Crewe Road Alsager Stoke on Trent ST7 2EW **SOLICITORS** Knights 1759 The Brampton 10 St John Street Newcastle under Lyme Staffordshire ST5 0QW
Page 1
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Page 2
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims**
The objects of the charity are the advancement anywhere in the world of the Christian/Catholic religion and other such purposes (being charitable purposes according to the laws of England) as the trustees shall in their discretion think fit.
The strategies employed to achieve the charity's objectives are to:
Publish magazines, books, newspapers and other resources (DVDs) which teach, educate, inform and celebrate Christian/Catholic faith.
The major areas of activity are:
## Bible Alive:
The Limited Company with charitable status began in a single garage in the Catholic parish of Our Lady Immaculate, Commercial Rd, London E14 2RZ. Mike Conway was sales and marketing manager and his employment began on June 1 1988. He was joined by two newly qualified medical doctors. Together they distributed and marketed The Word Among Us (TWAU) a subscription list of 300 which previously the nuns from Turvey Abbey, Bedfordshire had administrated but had not marketed.
Mike Conway launched a sales and marketing campaign which resulted in remarkable growth of subscriptions from 300 to 3000 in the first year. In addition, the team from Limehouse had secured impressive sales of the Advent, Lent and Easter edition of 25,000 each season.
In 1989 the office moved from the East End to an office in Harlow and from Harlow to an office in Cambridge.
In 1995 The Word Among Us based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, lost the Imprimatur Nihil Obstat from the diocese of Washington DC and the Trustees make the decision to launch Bible Alive appointing Mike Conway as the Managing Editor.
Bible Alive was launched in June 1996. It is Trademarked and has a monthly readership of 50,000. In 2021 we celebrated our 25th Anniversary and in 2026 it will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
The essence of the magazine is the daily reflection on one of the daily Mass readings which are written by a team of writers, both clerical and lay. Many of the writers have degrees and further degrees in theology and philosophy and are the backbone of the monthly content.
In addition, the Managing Editor sources stories from journalists from around the world which have a cutting edge feel and address issues very much in the national headlines as well as biographies of saints and heroes of faith.
Bible Alive is our flagship publication and our focus is growing both print and digital subscriptions through direct and e-marketing, social media and often most effective of all, word of mouth.
Bible Alive is marketed directly to parishes which in turn generates individual subscriptions. The closure of churches during the Covid 19 pandemic impacted on parish sales and we have been launched a concerted campaign to recover parish orders and create new parish orders.
The winding up of the two Catholic newspapers, The Universe and the Catholic Times means that Bible Alive is among only a few publications marketed directly to parishes in the UK and Ireland.
We have a passion for print and digital formats and promote both platforms with equal commitment and energy.
## Walk With Me:
Walk With Me is a seasonal prayer and scripture resource published in a collaboration with Archbishop Vincent Nichols when he was Archbishop of Birmingham in 2001. Walk with Me covers the seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter. The booklet is available at national, diocesan level and international level. The print runs for Advent, Lent and Easter exceed 100,000, and 50,000 respectively. The following Catholic dioceses order Walk With Me.
Page 3
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
Archdiocese of Birmingham, Archdiocese of Cardiff, Diocese of Menevia. Diocese of Salford Diocese of Nottingham Diocese of Northampton Diocese of East Anglia
We send a sample copy of Walk with Me with an order form to every parish and school in the UK and Ireland.
Walk with Me is available as a print and digital subscription.
We also publish a Kid's Walk with Me for primarily primary school children and is marketed to every Catholic primary school in the UK, Ireland and internationally.
Book and Gifts (Mail order business).
We quickly learnt on publishing Bible Alive in 1996 that our readers appreciated books reviews and titles we highlighted and recommended.
Today have a thriving book and gift business which includes an eclectic choice of books and gifts. We have a contacted based in Bethlehem from whom we source cribs and icons.
The closure of churches even for private prayer during the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an increase of traffic both to our website and calls into the office. We published an A4 free document called 'Inspiration in Isolation' which was well received by our readers and customers. Our pandemic message of 'bringing faith/joy directly to your door' wasn't missed on our readers or customers who clearly appreciated and responded positively to our wide range of products both in our book and gift catalogue, our on-line offerings and our ability to turn around their orders in a timely and efficient fashion.
The success of our book and gift business is rooted in print publishing a catalogue three times a year: autumn, spring and summer and directing customers to our website. We also use e-marketing and campaigns on certain select titles.
Further investment of time, money and expertise into the website is on the horizon - our goal is to be a kind of Catholic Amazon where customers can source a wide range of books, resources, and hardware (cribs, rosaries, icons).
## International Prison Outreach:
Since its launch in 1996 Bible Alive readers have responded generously to the plight of prisoners.
This began when Mike Conway interviewed a prisoner serving life for murder in Fetherstone HMP for the Lent 1997 edition. This article alone generated over £30,000 and resulted in us sending Bible Alive into prisons both in the UK, Ireland a abroad.
Alive Publishing invites its' readers to donate to its' work with prisoners and prison chaplains all over the world. Bible Alive readers send in donations so that we can send subscriptions to the Bible Alive magazine to prisoners, as well as providing Bibles and other Christian literature to encourage and support prisoners in their faith. The launching of the Loose Change Jar and Bucket Campaign was well received. The Trustees are in discussion with prison professionals and pastoral care staff regarding the possibility of publishing a Bible exclusively for prisoners.
A fundraising initiative involving climbing the 4 highest Irish Peaks was hugely successful. With the help of a professional mountain climbing company 7 climbers rose to the challenge.
We carried advertising and marketing about the event in all our publications - our strap line was: Every Prisoner Deserves a Bible.
The climb raised over £48,000 and more events like this are being planned.
Page 4
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
In a collaboration with the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales we have published a publication called Morning and Evening Prayer for Prisoners. We print 10,000 and distribute them to prion chaplains in England and Wales.
## International Faith Outreach:
This is an initiative to encourage readers of Bible Alive to donate funding so we in turn can send subscriptions, Bible and other resources to missionaries, Priests, religious catechists and other parish workers in the Third World.
## Cheerful Giver Fund
This is a fund which encourages our readers and customers to donate so that we can provide resources to a wide range of marginalized groups who otherwise could not afford them: the unemployed, the recently bereaved, those made redundant, those living on benefits etc.
## St Chad's Cathedral Website:
We constructed, run and maintain St Chad's Cathedral Website and work closely with the Dean of the Cathedral and his team to provide updates and news items.
## Book Publishing
We have published over 50 titles since the launch of Bible Alive in June 1996. Our readers and customers are especially responsive to books published under our banner.
We are currently working on three projects:
In collaboration with the Bishops Conference of England and Wales we are collaborating on a Companion booklet for the forthcoming Jubilee 2025.
Growing in Faith - a panoramic view of salvation history by Monsignor Paul Watson, a founding Trustee.
A Pocketful of Prayers by Monsignor Michael Sharkey, a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
## Print and Design Service
From time to time we are approached by customers and parishes to design and print a variety of products ranging from business cards to Order of Services to prayer cards.
Page 5
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Public benefit**
In setting plans and priorities for areas of work, the trustees have followed the latest guidance from the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit, in accordance with section 17 of the Charities Act 2011.
Much consultation has been had between the Charity Commission and religious charities in relation to the question of public benefit and the trustees are encouraged that the Commission acknowledges the intangible spiritual benefits that the charity works to provide. In particular, the trustees consider how activities will contribute to meeting the objectives they have set and focus on the activities that will promote, teach, educate and inform people about the Christian Faith.
Directors of a charity have a duty to report in their annual report on their charity's public benefit. In setting plans and priorities to achieve its vision, the Charity's trustees have followed guidance from the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit.
The trustees of Alive Publishing Limited confirm they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. Alive Publishing Limited is established for the public benefit of those who want to educate themselves on the benefits of the Christian Faith, including those prisoners that are benefiting from the International Prison Outreach programme and those in the third world that are benefiting from the International Faith Outreach programme.
The Trustees have considered this mater and concluded:
- 1) That the aims of the organisation continue to be charitable;
- 2) That the aims and the work done give identifiable benefits to the charitable sector and both indirectly and directly to individuals in need;
3) That the benefits are for the public, are not unreasonably restricted in any way and certainly not by ability to pay; and
- 4) That there is no detriment or harm arising from the aims or activities
## **STRATEGIC REPORT**
## **Achievement and performance Internal and external factors**
Covid 19 and its operational impact on aspects of our business cycle.
The closure of the churches had a direct impact on our parish customers with many deciding to suspend their order during the period of church closure. Parish Plan is a mainstay of our sales of Bible Alive and despite many parishes retaining their order and applying that old dictum, 'Necessity is the mother of invention' (some parishes mailed their parish orders to their parishioners) the loss of these orders was keenly felt. Now that churches are open again (albeit with a reduction in Sunday Mass attendance), many parishes who suspended have reactivated their order. We have begun a campaign to re-establish these orders and also to reach out to non-ordering parishes by offering a free start up trial, 90 days credit and sale or return. This is an on-going and long term strategy and over time we are hopeful of returning to our pre-pandemic parish sales.
One significant impact of the churches' closing was a favourable response to the 'Inspiration in Isolation' leaflet and a corresponding noticeable increase in subscriptions and mail order business.
The churches might have closed but we remained open for business and our ability to deliver directly to our donors' and customers' doors was very much appreciated during this difficult and challenging time.
## **Financial review**
## **Financial position**
The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024 shows income of £706,834 (2023: £828,958). Expenditure amounted to £634,003 (2023: £806,052) The net effect of the above is that, over the year, the funds of the charity increased by £72,831.
Page 6
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **STRATEGIC REPORT Financial review**
## **Investment policy and objectives**
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish. The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of the charity and to the reserves policy, have operated a policy of keeping available funds in an interest bearing deposit account seeking to achieve a rate of deposit interest which matches or exceeds inflation as measured by the retail prices index.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees have established the level of unencumbered reserves (that is, those funds that are freely available, not invested in fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed) that the charity ought to have.
Historically, in the early years of the charity, reserves were needed to bridge any gaps between spending on magazine production and receiving resources through subscription charges, as well as to allow for any other possible unforeseen expenditure. Given that the charity has now been in operation for over twenty five years, then the ongoing nature of the subscription receipts makes the existence of gaps between spending and receiving monies more or less non-existent. However, the trustees prefer to err on the side of caution and therefore consider that the required level of free reserves as at 31 March 2024 should continue to be £50,000.
## Fixed Assets
In order to fulfil its charitable objectives, the charity needs to retain certain levels and categories of fixed assets and the fixtures and fittings and other contents of the charity's premises are all used in the work of the charity.
As disclosed in the balance sheet, the unrestricted funds amounted to £177,121 of which £1,215 was invested in fixed assets. Setting these terms aside, the balance of £175,906 is considered to be free reserves.
## **Going concern**
The financial position of the charity in terms of the year's results and its assets and liabilities is set out in the principal financial statements on pages 11-13.
## **Principal risks and uncertainties**
The trustees have a formal risk management process to assess risks and implement risk management strategies. This involves the identification of the types of risk faced by a charity, assessing the likelihood and potential impact of occurrence and identifying means of mitigation. Risks have been categorised under five broad headings: Governance, Operational, Financial, External and Compliance. These were then assessed as to the likelihood of their occurring and the severity of the effects of the risk leading to a potential overall impact calculation to give a scale of relative importance or urgency to each one.
The current highest overall adverse impact risks identified relate to the potential effect on income of lapsation of the faithful and resultant reducing Mass attendances; of an increasingly ageing and therefore reducing number of clergy who are expected to undertake ever more administrative responsibilities, and adverse publicity in an increasingly secular society. The trustees have taken steps to mitigate these risks by working to develop new and emerging income streams to ensure that reserves are maintained. The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. The trustees believe that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide enough resources in the event of adverse conditions.
The trustees are responsible for providing reasonable assurance that:
- The charity is operating efficiently and effectively;
- Its assets are safeguarded against unauthorized use or disposition;
- Proper records are maintained and financial information used within the charity or for publication is reliable; and
- The charity complies with relevant laws and regulations.
Page 7
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **STRATEGIC REPORT**
## **Achievements, Performance Review and Plans for Future Periods**
Focus on growing circulation of subscription-based publications: Bible Alive/Faith Today.
Drive and develop the book/gift/mail order business
Maximize on the marketing resource we have in our Oak system.
Focus on utilising the newly redesigned company website which has given us the platform form to promote and market our product range using new technology/social media but has also give our customers the opportunity to renew on line, set up a direct debit or fill in a Gift Aid form with ease.
The intention for the future is to continue to meet the objectives of the charity as outlined above.
As part of the strategy to increase funding streams, further work is planned to increase the use of online giving through internet use and development of the charity's online presence.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Organisational structure**
Alive Publishing Limited is a company limited by guarantee and does not have any share capital. It is governed by its' Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 9th February 1988 and amended by Special Resolutions dated 20th October 1992; 3rd May 1996; 7th May 1998 and 10th August 2001. It is a charity registered with the Charity Commission and there are currently 4 members (6 in 2023), each of whom agree to contribute £1 in the event of the charity winding up. Trustees and directors are appointed by ordinary resolution.
## **Trustees**
The trustees who served during the year are listed on page one. The affairs of the charity are governed by the trustees and the Board has the power to appoint additional trustees as it considers fit to do so. When considering new trustees, the Board has regard to those with suitable qualifications and experience as well as the requirement for any specialist skills needed.
New trustees are introduced to their role and responsibilities by existing board members and undergo an orientation day at which time relevant Charity Commission literature is issued together with copies of the trust deed and latest financial information available.
New trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During the induction day, they meet key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of the role, in regarding strategy and good governance.
The board of trustees is not limited by the maximum number of members. The board of trustees administer the charity. The board of trustees meets a minimum of twice a year and an experienced and suitably qualified management team is in place to manage the day to day business of the charity including all operational matters such as finance, employment and business development related activity.
## **Key management personnel and remuneration**
The Board of Trustees is ultimately in charge of directing and controlling the charity and ensuring that it is run and operated in a responsible and appropriate manner. The day-to-day management of the charity, however, is delegated to the Editor in Chief, Mr Michael Conway. All trustees give their time freely, and no trustee receives any remuneration in respect of the work undertaken in the role of trustee.
Details of any related party transactions are disclosed in note 17 to the accounts.
Trustees are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the charity and in accordance with the charity's policy, withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.
Page 8
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on ............................................. and signed on the board's behalf by:
........................................................................ M M Conway - Trustee
Page 9
**Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Alive Publishing Limited ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the 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 accounts 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 your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can 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 the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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.
## E E Marshall-Birks FCA
Marshall & Co Chartered Accountants St Mary's House Crewe Road Alsager Stoke on Trent ST7 2EW Date: .............................................
Page 10
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**fund**
**Notes**
**£**
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
13,005
**Charitable activities**
4
Bible Alive subscriptions
329,634
Books and other sales
90,558
WWM sales
165,561
Design service
6,539
Investment income
3
236
**Total**
605,533
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
5
-
**Charitable activities**
6
Bible Alive subscriptions
288,258
Books and other sales
79,199
WWM sales
144,776
Design service
5,748
**Total**
517,981
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
87,552
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
89,569
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
177,121|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
101,301
-
-
-
-
-
101,301
-
64,566
17,740
32,428
1,288
116,022
(14,721)
220,332
205,611|**2024**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
114,306
329,634
90,558
165,561
6,539
236
706,834
-
352,824
96,939
177,204
7,036
634,003
72,831
309,901
382,732|**2023**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
203,724
366,441
82,213
152,703
6,404
17,473
828,958
(1,000)
486,569
109,195
202,813
8,475
806,052
22,906
286,995
309,901|
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 11
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Balance Sheet 31 March 2024**
|**Unrestricted**
**fund**
**Notes**
**£**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Intangible assets
12
1,215
Investments
13
250,000
251,215
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
14
41,457
Cash at bank and in hand
96,617
138,074
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
15
(212,168)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
(74,094)
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
177,121
**NET ASSETS**
177,121
**FUNDS**
16
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
79,075
48,268
127,343
78,268
205,611
205,611
205,611|**2024**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
1,215
250,000
251,215
120,532
144,885
265,417
(133,900)
131,517
382,732
382,732
177,121
205,611
382,732|**2023**
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
1,230
250,000
251,230
191,316
82,871
274,187
(215,516)
58,671
309,901
309,901
89,569
220,332
309,901|
|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
.............................................
The notes form part of these financial statements
continued...
Page 12
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
**Balance Sheet - continued 31 March 2024**
M M Conway - Trustee
............................................. M T Mazur - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 13
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
## **Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions**
The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of as asset other that cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
## Deferred income
Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:
- The donot specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or
- The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
## Investment income
Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Patents and licences**
Patents are depreciated over 10 years.
continued...
Page 14
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
## **3.**
|Donations
Gift aid
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Other fixed asset invest - FII
Deposit account interest|**2024**
**£**
102,794
11,512
114,306
**2024**
**£**
-
236
236|**2023**
**£**
188,609
15,115|**2023**
**£**
188,609
15,115|
|---|---|---|---|
|||203,724||
||||**2023**
**£**
17,430
43|
||||17,473|
Page 15
continued...
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
|**Activity**
Subscriptions
Bible Alive subscriptions
Books and other sales
Books and other sales
Pamphlet sales
WWM sales
Design service
Design service|**2024**
**£**
329,634
90,558
165,561
6,539
592,292|**2023**
**£**
366,441
82,213
152,703
6,404|
|---|---|---|
|||607,761|
## **5. RAISING FUNDS**
## **Other trading activities**
|Bad debts
**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
Bible Alive subscriptions
Books and other sales
WWM sales
Design service
**SUPPORT COSTS**
**Management**
**Finance**
**£**
**£**
Bible Alive subscriptions
19,477
6,846
Books and other sales
5,350
1,882
WWM sales
9,781
3,439
Design service
388
136
34,996
12,303
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
Patents and licences amortisation|**2024**
**£**
-
**Support**
**Direct**
**costs (see**
**Costs**
**note 7)**
**£**
**£**
301,311
51,513
82,786
14,153
151,332
25,872
6,010
1,026
541,439
92,564
**Governance**
**Other**
**costs**
**£**
**£**
14,179
11,011
3,896
3,025
7,122
5,530
283
219
25,480
19,785
**2024**
**£**
15|**2023**
**£**
(1,000)
**Totals**
**£**
352,824
96,939
177,204
7,036|**2023**
**£**
(1,000)
**Totals**
**£**
352,824
96,939
177,204
7,036|
|---|---|---|---|
|||634,003||
||||**Totals**
**£**
51,513
14,153
25,872
1,026|
||||92,564|
||||**2023**
**£**
187|
## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
## **7. SUPPORT COSTS**
## **8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
Page 16
continued...
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **10. STAFF COSTS**
## **11.**
|Wages and salaries
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Office staff
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
**Unrestricted**
**fund**
**£**
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
6,345
**Charitable activities**
Bible Alive subscriptions
366,441
Books and other sales
82,213
WWM sales
152,703
Design service
6,404
Investment income
17,473
**Total**
631,579
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
(1,000)
**Charitable activities**
Bible Alive subscriptions
413,282
Books and other sales
92,748
WWM sales
172,266
Design service
7,199
**Total**
684,495
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
(52,916)|**2024**
**£**
25,049
431
25,480
**2024**
5
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
197,379
-
-
-
-
-
197,379
-
73,287
16,447
30,547
1,276
121,557
75,822|**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
**2023**
-
**Total**
**funds**
**£**
203,724
366,441
82,213
152,703
6,404
17,473
828,958
(1,000)
486,569
109,195
202,813
8,475
806,052
22,906|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 17
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**11.**
**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**fund**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
142,485
144,510
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
89,569
220,332
**12.**
**INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
**COST**
At 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
**AMORTISATION**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for year
At 31 March 2024
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
**13.**
**FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS**
**Shares in**
**group**
**Unlisted**
**undertakings**
**investments**
**£**
**£**
**MARKET VALUE**
At 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024
1,000
249,000
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 March 2024
1,000
249,000
At 31 March 2023
1,000
249,000|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
286,995
309,901
**Patents**
**and**
**licences**
**£**
1,869
639
15
654
1,215
1,230
**Totals**
**£**
250,000
250,000
250,000|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
286,995|
|---|---|---|
|||309,901|
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
The company's investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following:
continued...
Page 18
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **13. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued**
## **Alive Publishing Trading UK Limited**
Registered office: England and Wales
Nature of business: Religious publications production & distribution
|**%**
**Class of share:**
**holding**
Ordinary shares
33
Aggregate capital and reserves
Loss for the year
**14.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by group undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**15.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Pension fund
Accruals and deferred income
Accrued expenses|**2024**
**£**
(137,593)
(172,312)
**2024**
**£**
28,536
47,686
12,921
31,389
120,532
**2024**
**£**
860
1,267
330
125,253
6,190
133,900|**2023**
**£**
35,393
(78,368)
**2023**
**£**
27,711
2,086
31,191
130,328
191,316
**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
140,516
75,000
215,516|
|---|---|---|
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
International Prison Outreach
International Faith Outreach
Cheerful Giver
Four Peaks Challenge
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**At 1/4/23**
**£**
89,569
104,498
17,403
50,052
48,379
220,332
309,901|**Net**
**movement**
**in funds**
**£**
87,552
(23,588)
869
7,706
292
(14,721)
72,831|**At**
**31/3/24**
**£**
177,121
80,910
18,272
57,758
48,671|
|---|---|---|---|
||||205,611|
||||382,732|
continued...
Page 19
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
International Prison Outreach
International Faith Outreach
Cheerful Giver
Four Peaks Challenge
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
International Prison Outreach
International Faith Outreach
Cheerful Giver
Four Peaks Challenge
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
605,533
82,540
9,264
9,205
292
101,301
706,834
**At 1/4/22**
**£**
142,485
67,826
15,264
46,317
15,103
144,510
286,995|**Resources**
**Movement**
**expended**
**in funds**
**£**
**£**
(517,981)
87,552
(106,128)
(23,588)
(8,395)
869
(1,499)
7,706
-
292
(116,022)
(14,721)
(634,003)
72,831
**Net**
**movement**
**At**
**in funds**
**31/3/23**
**£**
**£**
(52,916)
89,569
36,672
104,498
2,139
17,403
3,735
50,052
33,276
48,379
75,822
220,332
22,906
309,901|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 20
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
International Prison Outreach
International Faith Outreach
Cheerful Giver
Four Peaks Challenge
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
631,579
147,120
11,682
5,301
33,276
197,379
828,958|**Resources**
**Movement**
**expended**
**in funds**
**£**
**£**
(684,495)
(52,916)
(110,448)
36,672
(9,543)
2,139
(1,566)
3,735
-
33,276
(121,557)
75,822
(806,052)
22,906|
|---|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
International Prison Outreach
International Faith Outreach
Cheerful Giver
Four Peaks Challenge
**TOTAL FUNDS**|**At 1/4/22**
**£**
142,485
67,826
15,264
46,317
15,103
144,510
286,995|**Net**
**movement**
**in funds**
**£**
34,636
13,084
3,008
11,441
33,568
61,101
95,737|**At**
**31/3/24**
**£**
177,121
80,910
18,272
57,758
48,671|
|---|---|---|---|
||||205,611|
||||382,732|
continued...
Page 21
**Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
||**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Movement**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**resources**|**expended**|**in funds**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|1,237,112|(1,202,476 )|34,636|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|International Prison Outreach|229,660|(216,576)|13,084|
|International Faith Outreach|20,946|(17,938)|3,008|
|Cheerful Giver|14,506|(3,065)|11,441|
|Four Peaks Challenge|33,568|-|33,568|
||298,680|(237,579)|61,101|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|1,535,792|(1,440,055 )|95,737|
## **17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:
## Alive Publishing Trading UK Limited
(Alive Publishing Limited is the registered owner of 249,000 preference shares of £1 each in Alive Publishing Trading UK Limited and also owns 34 ordinary shares of £1 each in the same company. Alive Publishing Trading UK Limited is controlled by Michael and Susan Conway, the editor in chief and the publishing director respectively, of Alive Publishing Limited)
During the year the Charity received dividends from the ordinary shares of £nil (2023 £nil).
The preference shares attract a fixed cumulative preferential net cash dividend of seven pence per annum per share accruing from the date of subscription for the preference shares. During the year the charity received dividends from the preference shares of £nil (2023 £17,430)
Subject to the preference dividend being full in respect of that financial year and in respect of all previous financial years of the Company, every dividend shall be paid to the holders of the ordinary shares held by each holder of those shares.
During the year the Charity was charged management fees of £425,417 (2023 £582,858) by Alive Publishing Trading UK Limited. At the balance sheet date the amount due (from)/to Alive Publishing Trading UK Limited was £(47685.92) (2023 £72,914).
## Conway Associates (UK) Limited
(Conway Associate (UK) Limited is a company that is controlled by M Conway, the editor in chief of Alive Publishing Limited.)
During the year, the Charity was charged rent of £nil (2023: £18,810) by Conway Associates (UK) Limited. At the balance sheet date the amount due to/from Conway Associates (UK) Limited was £Nil (2023 - Nil).
Page 22
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Gift aid
**Investment income**
Other fixed asset invest - FII
Deposit account interest
**Charitable activities**
Subscriptions
Books and other sales
Pamphlet sales
Design service
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Other trading activities**
Bad debts
**Charitable activities**
Other fundraising costs
Outsourcing costs
**Support costs**
**Management**
Rent, rates and utilities
Consultancy and professional fees
Patents and licences
**Finance**
Bank charges
Foreign currency (gains)/ losses
**Other**
Wages
Carried forward|**2024**
**£**
102,794
11,512
114,306
-
236
236
329,634
90,558
165,561
6,539
592,292
706,834
-
116,022
425,417
541,439
-
34,980
16
34,996
11,541
762
12,303
25,049
25,049|**2023**
**£**
188,609
15,115
203,724
17,430
43
17,473
366,441
82,213
152,703
6,404
607,761
828,958
(1,000)
121,557
582,858
704,415
18,810
51,300
187
70,297
13,020
(373)
12,647
-
-|
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 23
## **Alive Publishing Limited**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**
**for the Year Ended 31 March 2024**|||
|---|---|---|
|**Other**
Brought forward
Pensions
**Governance costs**
Independent Examiners fee
Accountancy fees
Legal and professional fees
Total resources expended
**Net income**|**2024**
**£**
25,049
431
25,480
12,000
7,750
35
19,785
634,003
72,831|**2023**
**£**
-
-|
|||-
12,000
7,500
193|
|||19,693|
|||806,052|
|||22,906|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 24