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2024-12-31-accounts

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Registered Charity Number: 299128

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED

(Limited by Guarantee)

REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

CONTENTS Page
Trustees’ Report 1 - 17
Independent Auditor’s Report 18 - 20
Statement of Financial Activities
(Including an income and expenditure account) 21
Balance Sheet 22
Cash Flow Statement 23
Notes to the Financial Statements 24 - 41

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Welcome

Who we are

United Christian Broadcasters (‘UCB’) is a non-denominational Christian media charity.

Our vision and our benefit to the public

Our vision statement is changing lives for good by the power of God’s Word . The public benefit we deliver is centred on this vision and is available to both Christians and non-Christians in a wide variety of accessible and userfriendly formats. We are passionate about seeing lives changed for good in spiritual and practical ways which reflect and demonstrate the Christian faith. These are the benefits that arise out of our charitable objectives.

The comments given throughout this report have been received from the public during the year in response to these benefits.

We confirm that we have complied with our duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

“I listen to UCB regularly and it's amazing how in my most vulnerable moments there’s something that is said or a song I hear that is about my exact situation and brings release, comfort and a new energy”

Charitable objectives

Our charitable objectives are, for the public benefit in the United Kingdom or overseas:

Key areas of activity

We further our charitable objectives by operating in the following key areas:

“The UCB Word For Today encourages me to read different parts of the Bible that I might not naturally go to, and helps me understand some of the stories. Thank you so much”

Our objectives and activities reflect the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew chapter 28 verses 18-19) in the areas of prayer, evangelism, discipleship and mission. Our mission is to offer every person in every place every moment of the day, the opportunity to hear, watch or read the Word of God in a relevant and engaging way.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Strategic report

Review of the year, aims, achievements and performance

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-18

It is a great privilege to serve with a ministry like UCB, a ministry that’s focused on bringing hope and ‘the riches of God’s Word’ to everyone, whether they’re at home, on the move, in the car or even in a prison cell. We continue to receive hundreds of stories from people whose lives have been impacted by something they have heard, read or watched whether that’s through the UCB Word For Today, Radio, a post on social media or a connection they’ve made with Prayerline.

We’re so thankful to God for his provision and faithfulness throughout 2024 and particularly so as we celebrated the 30[th] year of the UCB Word For Today and a ‘divine partnership’ with the late Bob Gass and now continued with his wife Debby and team.

“I listen to the UCB Word For Today on the App every morning. God is using UCB to reach out to people and that is why I support UCB. We are an amazing family!”

We continue to thank God for the faithful partners who stand with UCB year after year, as together we work toward seeing ‘lives changed for good by the power of God’s Word.’

David L’Herroux, UCB’s Chief Executive

We are so thankful and grateful for the work of our leaders, staff and volunteers who’ve responded to 2024 with hard work, grace, unity and commitment. Looking back on 2024 and all its achievements and being inspired by all that’s to come in 2025, here are some of many highlights:

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2025 promises to be a year of acceleration as we complete significant projects including phase 1 and phase 2 of our Integrated Data Project and launch of our new website. Everything we do is centred around preparing for an unprecedented move of God across the nation and seeing ‘lives changed for good by the power of God’s Word’. Our commitments for the year include:

•
Implementing phase 1 and phase 2 of our Integrated Data Project
covering our Finance and Marketing systems
•
Following a ‘pause’ (to allow for implementation of new CRM
system), we look forward to the launch of a new UCB website with a
focus on user experience and improved access to content
•
Continuing to develop broadcasting content on all platforms (radio,
podcasts and UCB Player) to further enhance listener engagement
•
Further development of ‘Spark’ – UCB’s brand new devotional app
for kids which was launched September 2024
 “UCB Prayerline
gives me that sense
of peace, knowing
that I'm not alone.
I'm really grateful
that I've come to a
place in life where I
feel content”

Our strategic focus remains on:

The Trustees are of the opinion that UCB is able to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. This opinion has been reached after having reviewed the organisation’s financial forecasts covering a period of several years and a range of scenarios, including the foreseeable economic climate.

Broadcasting and podcasting

We continue to focus on the quality and broad appeal of our broadcasts and podcasts, centred on the Christian faith.

Radio: UCB1 and UCB 2

Broadcasting nationally on DAB digital radio (on DAB+ in stereo) and streamed online on the UCB website (ucb.co.uk/listen), smartphones and tablets with the UCB Player App, live radio streaming services, internet radio and voice-activated smart speakers.

Video

Video content from UCB can be seen on the UCB Player App, on the UCB YouTube channel and on UCB social media.

What we aimed to do in 2024

Achievements and performance in 2024

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

What we aim to do in 2025

Publications

The UCB Word For Today is our daily Bible devotional and in 2024 we launched Spark, a video-based devotional App for kids with daily videos based on readings from the UCB Word For Today (see other digital delivery – non-broadcasting). In addition, we reprinted an additional 50,000 copies of Just For You, a 30 day ‘taster’ version of the Word For Today designed for people who are exploring faith. These are available to order free of charge on our website and have also been distributed to churches and at events across the UK.

All our resources are distributed free of charge, with the aim of helping Christians to grow in their faith. With a particular focus this year on our new Spark App for kids, we are excited to bring Word For Today in a relatable way to a brand-new age group and audience. By equipping young people with the biblical tools they need for today’s challenges, we hope to instil in them a lifelong love for God’s Word.

UCB Word For Today

UCB’s daily devotional is available as a printed resource, as well as via email and online at www.ucb.co.uk/read. An audio version is played on our national DAB radio station UCB 2 and also hosted on the UCB Player App.

OneHope

www.ucb.co.uk/onehope

UCB continues to have dynamic partnership with OneHope, an international ministry helping to change the lives of young people globally. OneHope works in hundreds of countries around the world, reaching children of all ages with Biblical print and digital resources and their team has worked closely this year with the UCB marketing team to create and deliver our Spark App. Through workshops and sharing of resources, our relationship with OneHope has grown significantly this year and we look forward to all that 2025 will bring.

We also partner with OneHope to produce and distribute Bible-based booklets designed for children. We distribute these primarily through the Bag of Hope, which is a free bag (100% recyclable, made of sugar cane) which contains a Bible-based booklet and a leaflet about UCB’s resources.

What we aimed to do in 2024

Achievements and performance in 2024

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

What we aim to do in 2025

- Other digital delivery (non broadcasting)

UCB’s mission is to reach every person in every place at every moment of the day with the lifechanging Word of God and so we’re always looking for new ways to reach people, whether that’s through digital platforms (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram etc), the UCB Player App, our Spark App for kids, our website or print publications.

What we aimed to do in 2024

Achievements and performance in 2024

“The UCB Kingdom Academy learning environment is encouraging with room to learn and grow and be a part of a wide variety of activities. There are many staff here who have different roles and there is so much to learn from them”

What we aim to do in 2025

OneHope

UCB.CO.UK/onehope

UCB continues to have a strategic alliance with OneHope, a dynamic international ministry helping to change the lives of young people globally. OneHope works in hundreds of countries around the world, reaching children of all ages with Biblical print and digital resources. UCB’s OneHope partnership, which includes our annual ‘Bag of Hope’ initiative reaching thousands of young people and their families in the UK, is strengthened by OneHope digital resources and publications.

What we aimed to do in 2024

Achievements and performance in 2024

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

What we aim to do in 2025

Prayerline

UCB.CO.UK/pray, 01782 36 3000

Our Prayerline gives people the opportunity to receive prayer support by telephone, or to submit prayer requests via the UCB website or by post. Our trained call-taker volunteers are able to listen and pray with callers, seeking to encourage them with God’s Word. The call service is resourced by home based volunteers, and a separate group who focus on prayers received via the web, and a third that focuses on prayers received by post.

“You are there in times of need - UCB Prayerline is such a soothing balm”

What we aimed to do in 2024

Achievements and performance in 2024

What we aim to do in 2025

UCB Kingdom Academy

A key element within our Strategic Plan is to focus on ‘building for growth’ in preparation for the promise of an unprecedented move of God. We aim to build on lessons learned from the UCB Academy (which began in 2012 on a small scale) and establish an international 'Kingdom Academy' designed to uniquely and practically equip the Church for growth in a 21st century digital age incorporating a unique blend of five ‘pillars’. UCB will lead the training on the first pillar of Media and work in close partnership with specialists to deliver the other four pillars: Ministry, Mission, Management and Music (i.e. worship).

What we aimed to do in 2024

“There was a wonderful mix of talents at the UCB Kingdom Academy event and it was so good to be with other believers worshipping the Lord. I would recommend anyone thinking about taking part. It certainly encouraged and uplifted me”

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

What we aim to do in 2025

Grants paid

During the year we invested in making grants available to 5 organisations (2023: 4 organisations) with similar charitable aims to UCB, for the furtherance of Christian media activity.

Global broadcasting & publication support

We provide practical and financial assistance to other Christian broadcasters and publishers throughout the world. Our grant making policy is to provide grants for the development of UCB Word For Today publications and broadcasting activity, consistent with our charitable objectives.

What we aimed to do in 2024

“I listen to UCB in my work van and at home, and I leave it on in the van for the word to spread to the next person that drives it after me”

Achievements and performance in 2024

What we aim to do in 2025

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Capital expenditure Longer term planned capital expenditure includes:

Volunteers and gifts-in-kind

Our Prayerline is resourced by 186 (123 phone, 25 email, 38 postal) trained volunteers supported by a small team of paid staff. Without volunteer help this vital ministry would simply not be possible. During 2024 this equated to 12,173 hours volunteered.

UCB also benefits from the help of approximately 7,900 active church advocates throughout the country. While it is not possible to accurately quantify the hours worked, these volunteers provide an essential connection between UCB and its supporters and beneficiaries at a grass roots level. We also benefit from a pool of casual volunteers who support the ministry in a variety of ways.

There were no major gifts in kind during the year, although UCB aims to achieve synergy in effective partnerships with other organisations.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Financial review

The following information has been summarised from our Statement of Financial Activities:

2024 “The UCB Word For
£000 Today gives you
Income something practical
Donations: non-regular 3,371 that you can go out
Donations: regular 4,765 and do, change an
Gift Aid tax claimed 1,191 attitude and actually
Legacies
Income from charitable activities
Income from investments		 509
83
343		 grow day-by-day as
you look at it. It's
accessible on so many
levels, and that's why
────── we recommend it to
10,262 everyone in our
────── church”
Expenditure
Raising funds:
Fundraising & publicity 957
Charitable activities:
Broadcasting 4,110
Publications 2,406
Other digital delivery (non-broadcasting) 608
OneHope 73
Kingdom Academy 254
Prayerline 383
Charitable donations 461
Grants paid 148
Global broadcasting and publication support 187
──────
9,587
──────
Surplus for the year 675
──────

Comments

We continue to adapt and develop the methods by which we deliver our charitable aims, actively evaluating our structure and working practices. The exceptionally high inflation of recent years has resulted in significantly higher fixed overheads which we are contractually committed to, for instance the cost of DAB radio broadcasting. Staff costs have also risen significantly and will be compounded by the 2025 increase in Employer’s National Insurance contributions. We have always freely given a message of Christian hope and this continues to be particularly well received by people from all walks of life in these continued times of uncertainty.

With the economy and world political tensions continuing to be seen as significant risks, it remains impossible to accurately forecast over the longer term. However, our priority remains to manage our income and expenditure in a way which enables us to meet demand for our services as effectively as possible and explore new opportunities, while also maintaining a level of free reserves consistent with our strategy.

Reserves policy

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted funds (including a revaluation reserve of £181k) amounted to £11,467k. After deducting a total of £2,862k invested in fixed assets, free reserves amount to £8,605k or 10.8 months’ expenditure (2023: £8,171k or 11.4 months’ expenditure).

The Trustees have determined that the free reserves required to enable continuity of operations should not fall below 3 months’ expenditure, approximately £2,390k (2023: £2,150k). The Trustees also take into account the following factors:

Our overall aim remains to maintain an appropriate level of reserves by means of annual operating surpluses, supplemented by financial appeals from time to time, being balanced against an assessment of our risks and committing to expenditure if opportunities arise which enable us to pursue our objectives as effectively as possible.

Summary of reserves
Unrestricted funds:
General reserve: undesignated
Revaluation reserve
Restricted funds:
Broadcasting costs (Radio)
Charitable donations		 2024
£000
11,286
181
38
55		 “I really appreciate
UCB Radio as it's
hard for me to read,
but hearing God's
word throughout
the day really helps
get the message
into my mind”
──────
11,560
──────

The likely timing of the expenditure of restricted funds is as follows:

Broadcasting costs (Radio)

Funds received to be spent on News and Current Affairs over the next year

Charitable donations

Charitable donations scheduled to be made to the respective recipients over the next year

Risk management including principal risks and uncertainties

Risks and the methods of controlling those risks are categorised into four areas which have been adapted from the Balanced Scorecard* model to more closely match UCB’s charitable requirements:

Area
Charitable
Stakeholders
Process
People		 Balanced Scorecard equivalent

Financial
Customer
Business
Learning and growth

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

* Balanced Scorecard: An approach to strategic management which provides a clear prescription as to what organisations should measure in order to 'balance' a purely financial perspective.

Risks are assessed for likelihood and severity, prioritised, and an evaluation made of what action needs to be taken in relation to the higher priority risks. This process is carried out annually or more frequently as required, with actions defined for each item as appropriate.

The major financial risk we face continues to be the economic environment, coupled with global political tension. Our income remains difficult to accurately predict and many of our costs are linked to high rates of inflation. The worst case scenario would be a sustained drop in the purchasing power of our income, coupled with limited opportunities to reduce the cost of significant contracted expenditure underpinning our broadcasting and publishing activities. This would force us to re-evaluate our activities, potentially letting thousands of listeners and readers down at precisely the same time that the need for our services has never been greater.

We have prepared financial projections covering the period 2025-2029 including a detailed monthly analysis of our regular activities together with major projects such as our planned building refurbishment. These projections show the cash flow, surplus or deficit, and balance sheet during and after the lifespan of any such projects. They are based on key assumptions which are flexed covering different scenarios. The financial projections indicate that we would maintain sufficient liquidity under each scenario.

Having reviewed the output of this risk management process and identified the risks as explained above, the Trustees confirm that the major risks identified to which UCB is exposed have been assessed and procedures established to manage those risks, allowing them to be mitigated as far as reasonably possible.

Other information

Equal Opportunities and Learning & Development

Our policies support our strategy for an inclusive workplace, promoting equal employment opportunities, equal access to services, equal access for personal and professional development and career progression and promotion in compliance with the Equality Act 2010. These are reviewed annually and updated in accordance with changes to legislation, statutory provision and best practice. We confirm that all staff affected by these arrangements are made aware of them and that the operation and effectiveness of these arrangements is satisfactory. We are also accredited as a training centre with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), with other training being provided as appropriate, including offering our UCB Kingdom Academy resources to staff and volunteers.

Political and charitable contributions

During the year £461k (2023: £540k) was contributed to other Christian charitable organisations.

Investments

UCB does not currently hold any significant investments. Details concerning the power to hold investments are contained in UCB’s Articles of Association.

Related parties

UCB owns 100% of the issued share capital of UCB Media Limited, a dormant trading subsidiary company.

UCB owns 19.2% of the issued share capital of UCB International Limited, a corporate charitable body registered in New Zealand whose charitable objectives are consistent with ours.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution

United Christian Broadcasters Limited (UCB) is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Articles of Association as amended on 12 February 2020 and 26 January 2023.

Affiliates

UCB voluntarily provides informal support to a number of autonomous charitable Christian media organisations primarily located in Europe. These organisations are referred to as Affiliates. UCB facilitates the sharing of skill, resources and mutual prayer support.

Trustee recruitment, appointment, induction and training Potential Trustees are identified by the following 3 key areas:

Potential Trustees are put through an induction process that is carried out prior to appointment. As part of this induction a full package of background information is supplied to the candidate, a skill and experience audit is completed and assessed for compatibility with UCB’s requirements, and the candidate attends at least one Trustees’ meeting prior to appointment.

Trustees are appointed by Ordinary Resolution. Trustees can also be re-appointed following expiry of their fixed term of office of three years.

On appointment and each year thereafter, every Trustee is required to confirm in writing that he or she:

Our Trustee training policy is to review the general balance of skills and experience at least once a year and provide training as required, either to individual Trustees or the Board as a whole. This is provided in-house or externally as appropriate.

Management

The day-to-day management of the charity is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, working with an Executive team and other staff.

Remuneration

Each year UCB compares the remuneration of all staff, including the Executive team, with independently researched data including a detailed analysis of charity pay throughout a broad range of job roles, charity sizes, and geographical areas. In the intervening time between publication of this data and any changes to remuneration, an inflationary adjustment and a review of pay metrics published by such organisations as the Office for National Statistics are also taken into account. The current Living Wage is also considered when reviewing lower paid staff. After having taken these factors into account, it is UCB’s aim that no person should receive more than the upper quartile of the

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

benchmarked remuneration relevant to their role depending on their skills and experience, or receive less than the lower quartile (or the Living Wage if higher).

Governance Code

The Charity Governance Code is periodically reviewed by the Trustees, and it is felt that no significant changes need to be made to UCB’s governance, although this is regularly kept under review. The Trustees have an appropriate balance of skills and experience, underpinned by individual commitment to UCB’s charitable aims.

Fundraising

With regard to UCB’s approach to fundraising, UCB uses the following Fundraising Mission Statement:

‘Fundraising is first and foremost a form of ministry. It is a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.’ (Henri J.M. Nouwen, ‘A Spirituality of Fundraising’)

Funds raised are the fruit of the community between God, UCB and our supporters. God’s Word and prayer are at the heart of all our Fundraising activities, on air, online and in the post. We have the confidence and freedom in God to invite willing people to build a lasting relationship with us and invest in His work. Everything we have is from our generous God. Working in unity glorifies Him and achieves His purpose.

Our world needs hope like never before and to help reach more people, we ask for support on behalf of each person whose life has been impacted and will be impacted. We thank God for every gift and for every person whose life has been changed for good by the power of God’s Word. In all our interactions, we seek to honour and respect our supporters. In our fundraising, we are accountable to God, to our supporters and to each other.

We commit to the following:

Additionally, UCB does not engage professional fundraisers or commercial participators. However, in the likelihood of this changing, UCB would ensure a contract is agreed in line with current law and regulations, detailing the work to be carried out on both sides and highlighting the legal requirement for the supplier to declare their remuneration.

UCB endorses and subscribes to the Fundraising Regulator and adheres to all standards required. UCB fundraising is carried out in accordance with the Fundraising Regulator and in line with the Codes of Fundraising Practice set by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. All staff engaged in fundraising are members of the Institute and benefit from CIoF continuous improvement professional development.

UCB has a process in place should we receive any fundraising complaints; we advise the complainant that UCB subscribes to the Fundraising Regulator and advises that if they are not satisfied with our handling of their complaint, to contact the Fundraising Regulator directly. UCB monitors and reports internally on fundraising complaints on a monthly basis and submits an annual return to the Fundraising Regulator. In 2024 we received 5 requests for removal from the mailing list via the Fundraising Preference Service and 2 of these were from the families of supporters who had died. This compares to 2023, when we received 9 complaints through the Fundraising Preference Service.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Whilst every complaint is of great concern to UCB and is taken seriously, we believe that this low level of complaints demonstrates the trust, confidence and satisfaction that individuals have with our fundraising activities.

It is never our intention to put members of the public - including vulnerable people - under undue pressure to give. We are committed to a sensitive, balanced fundraising approach; not unreasonable intrusion or undue pressure. We also have a policy and procedures to protect and safeguard vulnerable individuals who engage with our ministry, highlights of which include:

Trustees’ responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the Directors of United Christian Broadcasters Limited for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law, Statements of Recommended Practice and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (“the law and regulations”).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s financial transactions, 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 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.

Disclosure of information to Auditors

Insofar as each of the Trustees of the charity at the date of approval of this report is aware there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the charity’s Auditor in connection with preparing the audit report) of which the charity’s Auditor is unaware. Each Trustee has taken all of the steps that he/she should have taken as a Trustee in order to make himself/herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity’s Auditor is aware of this information.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Charity information

Registered name

United Christian Broadcasters Limited

Other names used

UCB, UCB 1, UCB 2, UCB Player, The UCB Word For Today, Word For You, The UCB Word for Today – Just for You, OneHope, UCB Prayerline, UCB Kingdom Academy

Registered charity number 299128

Registered company number 2182533 (registered in England and Wales)

Registered office Hanchurch Christian Centre Hanchurch Lane Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8RY

Operations centre Westport Road Burslem Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4JF

Trustees

Names of Trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, during the year: A Scotland

D Stacey E D Edwards S McCrossan N Elliott H Yousaf (appointed 31 January 2024)

Senior staff

D L’Herroux (Chief Executive Officer) M Oakes (Managing Director) (appointed 1 November 2024) R Willoughby (Company Secretary) D Taviner A Macpherson S Ferguson I De Soyza P Cummings (appointed 17 February 2025)

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Bankers

HSBC UK Bank plc Crown Bank Hanley Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1DA

AIB Group (UK) plc t/a AIB (NI) 11-15 Donegall Square North Belfast BT1 5GB

Allied Irish Banks plc 7/12 Dame Street Dublin 2

Solicitors

Anthony Collins 134 Edmund Street Birmingham B3 2ES

Bates Wells 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE

Auditors

Crowe U.K.LLP Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors Fourth Floor St James House St James Square Cheltenham GL50 3PR

Reappointment of auditors

The auditors, Crowe U.K.LLP, who were appointed during the year, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 385 of the companies Act 1985.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The Trustees’ report comprising Welcome, Strategic Report and Other information, was approved by the Trustees on 25 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

A Scotland Chairman

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of United Christian Broadcasters (‘the charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies 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:

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 charitable company 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 charitable company'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 a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

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UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 14, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) 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 charitable company’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 charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations are set out 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.

19

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks within which the charitable company 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 Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011 together with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). 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 charitable company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. We also considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the charitable company for fraud. The laws and regulations we considered in this context were Ofcom requirements.

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 legacy income and the override of controls by management. Our audit procedures to respond to these risks included enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, designing audit procedures over income, sample testing on the posting of journals, reviewing accounting estimates for biases 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 charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Tara Westcott Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor

Fourth Floor St James House St James Square Cheltenham GL50 3PR

Date: 25 September 2025

20

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Including an Income and Expenditure Account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
INCOME FROM
Activities to generate funds:
Donations and legacies
Investments
4
Charitable activities
5
Total income
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
6
Net income available for
charitable application
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
15
Total funds carried forward
15		 2024
£
Unrestricted
6,927,949
342,545
84,071
7,354,565
(957,478)
6,397,087
(5,654,663)
(6,612,141)
742,424
10,724,843
11,467,267		 2024
£
Restricted
2,907,391
-
-
2,907,391
-
2,907,391
(2,974,738)
(2,974,738)
(67,347)
159,912
92,565		 2024
£
Total
9,835,340
342,545
84,071
10,261,956
(957,478)
9,304,478
(8,629,401)
(9,586,879)
675,077
10,884,755
11,559,832		 2023
£
Total
9,778,895
300,789
69,411
10,149,095
(854,375)
9,294,720
(7,744,266)
(8,598,641)
1,550,454
9,334,301
10,884,755

All income and expenditure derived from continuing activities. The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

21

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02182533 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note
Fixed Assets
Intangible assets
10
Tangible assets
11
Investments
12
Current Assets
Debtors: amounts falling due within
one year
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors:amounts falling due
within one year
14
Net Current Assets
Total Assets less Current
Liabilities
Creditors:amounts falling due after
more than one year
Net Assets
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds:
General reserve
15
Revaluation reserve
15
Restricted funds
15		 2024
£
543,920		 2024
£
598,600
2,263,056
312		 2023
£
482,280		 2023
£
176,963
2,401,699
312
2,861,968 2,578,974
8,697,864
9,026,287 8,647,467
9,570,207 9,129,747 8,305,781
(872,343) (823,966)

11,559,832
-		 10,884,755
-
11,559,832 10,884,755
11,285,956
181,311
92,565		 10,536,131
188,712
159,912
11,559,832 10,884,755

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and were signed on their behalf on 25 September 2025.

A Scotland

D Stacey

The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of these financial statements.

22

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £
Net cash provided by operating activities
21		 663,595 1,658,683
Cash flows from investing activities

Interest received		 342,546 300,789
Purchase of property, plant, equipment and software (566,541) (453,880)
Net cash used in investing activities (223,995) (153,091)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under hire purchase agreements (60,780) (60,780)
Net cash used in financing activities (60,780) (60,780)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting
period		 378,820 1,444,812
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
reporting period		 8,647,467 7,202,655
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting
period		 9,026,287 8,647,467

The notes on pages 24 to 41 form part of the financial statements.

23

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The financial statements have been prepared under historical cost convention. United Christian Broadcasters Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Under Section 405 of the Companies Act 2006, consolidated accounts have not been prepared as the inclusion of the dormant subsidiary, UCB International, is not material for the purpose of giving a true and fair view. Therefore these financial statements present information on the parent entity as an individual undertaking only. See note 12 for further information on this company.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the charity’s financial statements.

(a) Legal Status of the Charity

United Christian Broadcasters Limited (UCB) was incorporated in the United Kingdom as a private company limited by guarantee (registered no. 02182533) on 23 October 1987 and has no share capital.

The liability of members in the event of winding up is limited to an amount not exceeding £1 per members; the number of members as at 31 December 2017 was three.

UCB is also registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (registered no. 299128).

(b) Registered and principle office

The registered office of UCB is Hanchurch Christian Centre, Hanchurch Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8RY.

The principal office of UCB is Westport Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 4JF.

(c) Going concern

The Trustees have determined that there are no material uncertainties over the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Financial projections including forecast monthly cash flow, surplus / (deficit) and balance sheet have been prepared for the period ended 31[st] December 2028 indicating that there will be adequate headroom of cash throughout the whole period. Accordingly, the Trustees believe it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

(d) Fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided by the charity to write off the cost or valuation of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:

Freehold buildings - 2% per annum straight line
Plant and equipment - 20% per annum straight line
Fixtures and fittings - 8% per annum straight line
Motor vehicles - 20% per annum straight line
IT equipment - 25% per annum straight line

24

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(d) Fixed assets and depreciation (continued)

The charity has a policy, capitalising fixed assets where expenditure on such assets is in excess of £1,000. The amounts capitalised are net of recoverable VAT.

No depreciation is charged on land.

(e)

Investments

Since none of the investments held by the charitable company are quoted on a recognised stock exchange and the amounts concerned are not material, they are recorded at cost.

(f)

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date, and the gain or loss on translation is included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

(g) Income

Donation income is recognised on receipt of funds. Legacies are accounted for based on either on settlement of the estate, or on receipt of payment, whichever is the earlier. Where pecuniary legacies are of a size that is apparent they will be paid, these are recognised at the point of probate.

Other income is also accounted for on the accruals basis.

Income from government grants is recognised when there is entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Where entitlements occur before income is received, the income is accrued. Where income is received in advance of there being entitlement to the funds the income is deferred.

(h) Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for on the accruals basis.

Fundraising and publicity costs include all direct costs, together with a proportion of appropriate overheads.

Charitable activities include the direct costs of the activities and depreciation on related assets. Where such costs relate to more than one functional cost category, they have been split on either an estimate of time or floor space basis, as appropriate. Ancillary expenditure relates to all directly attributable costs regarding One Hope.

Support costs comprise service costs which have been allocated to the cost categories disclosed in the Statement of Financial Activities on either an estimate time or floor space basis, as appropriate.

Governance costs comprise of constitutional and statutory requirements incurred in the general running of the charitable company.

Grants are recognised when a constructive obligation arises, resulting in the payment being committed to.

Employee terminations: A redundancy situation arises where the requirement for an employee to undertake work of a particular kind has ceased or diminished. One such redundancy occurred in the year.

(i) Pension costs

The charitable company contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme on behalf of its employees. The amount charged in the Statement of Financial Activities represents the contributions payable to the schemes in respect of the accounting period.

(j)

Debtors

Trade debtors, other debtors and accrued income are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

25

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(k) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

(l) Funds

Unrestricted funds are funds that are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charitable company.

Restricted funds are amounts which have been earmarked by the donors for specific purposes.

(m) Financial instruments

United Christian Broadcasters Limited only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. Financial assets comprise of cash, accrued income and trade debtors. Financial liabilities include trade creditors, accruals, hire purchase arrangements and bank loans.

(n) Significant estimates and judgements

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make significant judgements and estimates. The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

Useful economic lives of intangible and tangible assets

The annual amortisation and depreciation charges for the intangible and tangible assets are sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See notes 10 and 11 for the carrying amount of the intangible and tangible assets and notes 2(d) and 2(0) for the useful lives for each class of asset.

Legacies:

Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable on receipt of estate accounts for residuary legacies, or for pecuniary legacies, at the point of probate.

(o) Software

New software costing up to £1,000 is fully written off in the period incurred. New software costing over £1,000 is written off over a period of five years on a straight line basis due to the current rapid rate of the technological progress. Support and maintenance costs are recognised in the period to which they relate.

(p) Operating leases

(q) Finance leases

Assets obtained under finance leases are capitalised as tangible fixed assets. Assets acquired by finance lease are depreciated over their useful economic lives. Finance leases are those where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership are assumed by the Charity. Obligations under such agreements are included in creditors. The finance leases held by the charitable company at the financial year end are for IT equipment.

(r) Grants

Grants are accrued by the charity to the extent that there is a constructive obligation in place and grantees have a reasonable expectation that the grant will be receivable at a future date.

(s) Taxation

The company is a registered charity and as such is entitled to tax exemption on all its income and gains, properly applied for its charitable purposes.

26

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

(t) VAT

(u) Intangible assets and amortisation Intangible assets are stated at their historical cost and amortised at 33% per annum on a straight-line basis over their expected useful lives.

(v) Software under Development

3. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 (Including an Income and Expenditure Account)

Note
INCOME FROM
Activities to generate funds:
Donations and legacies
Government grant income
Investments
4
Charitable activities
5
Total income
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
6
Net income available for charitable
application
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
17		 2023
£
Unrestricted
7,287,645
-
300,789
69,411
7,657,845
(854,375)
6,803,470
(5,009,949)
5,864,324
1,793,521
8,931,322
10,724,843		 2023
£
Restricted
2,491,250
-
-
-
2,491,250
-
2,491,250
(2,734,317)
2,734,317
(243,067)
402,979
159,912		 2023
£
Total
9,778,895
-
300,789
69,411
10,149,095
(854,375)
9,294,720
(7,744,266)
8,598,641
1,550,454
9,334,301
10,884,755

27

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

4. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

ME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unrestricted
Non-regular donations
2,389,701
Regular donations
3,425,662
Income tax repayments
603,838
Legacies
508,748
6,927,949
ME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Video
Other services
One Hope
Kingdom Academy		 Restricted
980,980
1,338,881
587,530
-
2,907,391		 2024
Total
£
3,370,681
4,764,543
1,191,368
508,748
9,835,340
2024
£
34,800
14,408
13,338
21,525
84,071		 2023
Total
£
3,528,164
4,615,533
1,166,054
469,344
9,778,895
2023
£
38,000
2,134
13,167
16,110
69,411

5. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Total income of £10,261,956 was generated from the UK - £10,157,823 ( 2023: £10,022,498 ), Europe - £41,525 ( 2023: £40,172 ), Rest of the World - £62,608 ( 2023: £ 86,425).

28

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6a.
ANALYSIS OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Staff
Costs		 Other
Direct
Costs
Support
Costs
Depreciation		 Total
2024		 Total
2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Cost of generating funds
Fundraising and publicity costs 432,285 393,534 126,058 5,601 957,478 854,375
Bank loan interest - - - - - -
Loan Hedging fees - - - - - -
432,285 393,534 126,058 5,601 957,478 854,375
Charitable activities
Broadcasting – UK and Europe:
Radio 1,349,586 2,163,057 115,318 79,099 3,707,060 3,380,722
Video 201,355 107,492 58,070 36,408 403,325 370,271
Publications:
Word for Today 753,086 890,630 140,695 89,620 1,874,031 1,667,562
One Hope 98,515 31,068 13,526 2,801 145,910 126,409
Other resources 97,673 263,715 16,687 8,402 386,477 369,156
Other digital delivery (non broadcasting) 375,772 124,670 79,544 28,006 607,992 550,396
Kingdom Academy 152,072 84,131 11,663 5,601 253,467 154,262
One Hope 37,271 19,581 11,746 2,801 71,399 63,552
Prayerline 250,811 82,239 38,224 11,203 382,477 349,148
Ancillary expenditure: One Hope - 1,389 - - 1,389 2,549
Charitable donations - 460,712 - - 460,712 348,058
Grants paid - 148,128 - - 148,128 191,488

Global broadcasting and publication
support		 69,983 83,602 19,446 14,003 187,034 170,693
Total charitable expenditure 3,386,124 4,460,414 504,919 277,944 8,629,401 7,744,266
Total Resources expenditure 3,818,409 4,853,948 630,977 283,545 9,586,879 8,598,641

29

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Operational
and
Governance
6b. SUPPORT COSTS
£
Cost of generating funds:
Fundraising and publicity
66,336
Charitable activities
Broadcasting – UK and Europe:
Radio
58,248
Video
31,502
Publications:
Word for Today
67,717
One Hope
7,610
Other resources
8,817
Other digital delivery (non-broadcasting)
43,320
Kingdom Academy
6,751
One Hope
7,783
Prayerline
27,452
Ancillary expenditure – One Hope
-
Global broadcasting and publication support
9,622
Total charitable expenditure
335,158		 Finance
Information
Systems
£
£
40,186
19,535
15,070
42,001
7,033
19,535
25,117
47,861
2,009
3,907
2,009
5,861
3,014
33,210
1,005
3,907
2,009
1,954
1,005
9,768
-
-
2,009
7,814

100,466
195,353		 Total
2024
£
126,057
115,319
58,070
140,695
13,526
16,687
79,544
11,663
11,746
38,225
-
19,445
630,977		 Total
2023
£
84,557
105,964
52,437
129,882
12,735
15,044
71,449
9,938
10,236
34,997
-
15,803
543,042

Included in the above are governance costs of £49,323 ( 2023: £52,906 ).

7. GRANT FUNDING ACTIVITIES

The following grants were made during the year:

UCB Africa
UCB Deutschland
MTU Raadio 7 UCB Meedia
UCB Switzerland
UCB Italia		 2024
£
10,166
33,077
53,138
35,208
16,539
148,128		 2023
£
-
56,383
53,339
64,417
17,349
191,488

During the year the charitable company made grants to the above organisations for the furtherance of Word For Today publications and broadcasting activity.

30

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8. NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR

Net incoming resources are stated after charging:
Auditor’s remuneration - in respect of audit
Depreciation
Amortisation
Operating lease payments
Gain/(Loss) on exchange rate		 2024
2023
£
£
19,530
18,600
278,504
252,513
5,041
8,047
1,303,931
1,177,912
(7,014)
(3,499)

9. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS

The average full-time equivalent number of persons employed by the charitable company during the year was as follows:

Costs of generating funds
Direct charitable expenditure		 2024
No.
9
101
110		 2023
No.
10
87
97

The average headcount of persons employed by the charitable company during the year was as follows:

Costs of generating funds
Direct charitable expenditure		 2024
No.
10
107
117		 2023
No.
11
101
112

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

Salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2024
£
3,338,005
304,239
176,165
3,818,409		 2023
£
2,995,707
269,600
158,236
3,423,543

31

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

9. STAFF NUMBERS AND COSTS (CONTINUED)

The number of employees earning in excess of £60,000 per annum are detailed below:

2024 2023
No. No.
£60,001 to £70,000 2 4
£70,001 to £80,000 4 2
£90,001 to £100,000 1 1

Defined money purchase contributions payable with regard to the above totalled £30,493 (2023: £27,921).

Remuneration to Trustees amounting to £863 was made during the year ( 2023: £350 ). This was paid to 1 (2023: 1) Trustee for speaking at a UCB Foundation Day (2023: UCB Foundation Day)

Reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses amounting to £10,354 was made during the year (2023: £13,004) to 5 Trustees (2023: 5).

Redundancy and settlement payments were made during the year totalling £nil to 0 individuals ( 2023: £nil to 0 individual ). No amounts were outstanding at the year end.

The remuneration of the senior management team (including employer NI and pension contributions) was:


contributions) was:
2024 2023
£ £
Senior management team remuneration 632,213 600,970

The senior management team consists of 6 members of staff in 2024 (2023: 7) , CEO, Managing Director, Company Secretary, IT and Technical Director, Operations Director, Communications Director and Kingdom Academy Director.

UCB provides the CEO with free accommodation on-site should it be required . The tax due on the benefit for the CEO was met through payroll.

32

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Software
under
Development
£
Cost/valuation
At 1 January 2024
814,681
Additions
20,304
Disposals
Transfers
-
(154,020)
At 31 December 2024
680,965
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
637,718
Charge for year
5,041
Disposals
-
At 31 December 2024
642,759
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
38,206
At 31 December 2023
176,963		 Computer
Software
£
-
406,374
-
154,020
560,394
-
-
-
-
560,394
-		 Total
£
814,681
426,678
-
-
1,241,359
637,718
5,041
-
642,759
598,600
176,963

33

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost/valuation
At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Charge for year
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
 Freehold
Land and
Buildings

£
2,978,488
-
-
2,978,488
1,268,477
52,420
-
1,320,897
1,657,591
1,710,011		 Plant
and
Equipment
£
628,351
13,180
(7,190)
634,341
549,525
30,851
(7,190)
573,186
61,155
78,826		 Plant
and
Equipment
£
628,351
13,180
(7,190)
634,341
549,525
30,851
(7,190)
573,186
61,155
78,826		 Fixtures
and
Fittings
£
580,544
9,079
(3,830)
585,793
331,275
24,949
(3,830)
352,394
233,399
249,269		 Motor
Vehicles

£
26,565
-
-
26,565
26,565
-
-
26,565
-
-		 Motor
Vehicles

£
26,565
-
-
26,565
26,565
-
-
26,565
-
-		 IT
Equipment
£
1,342,757
117,604
(8,183)
1,452,178
979,164
170,284
(8,181)
1,141,267
310,911
363,593		 IT
Equipment
£
1,342,757
117,604
(8,183)
1,452,178
979,164
170,284
(8,181)
1,141,267
310,911
363,593		 Total
£
5,556,705
139,863
(19,203)
5,677,365
3,155,006
278,504
(19,201)
3,414,309
2,263,056
2,401,699




Included in freehold land and buildings is land which cost £358,739 (2023: £358,739) which is not subject to depreciation.

The freehold land and buildings included in the financial statements at book value were professionally valued on 30 June 1999 by Louis Taylor, Chartered Surveyors, at £1,850,000 on an open market basis. All subsequent additions have been capitalised at cost.

The cost of freehold land and buildings, determined according to the historic cost accounting rules is as follows:

Cost
Aggregate depreciation
Net book value
Assets held under hire purchase agreement are as follows:
Cost
Aggregate depreciation
Net book value		 2024
£
2,486,576
(1,132,179)
1,354,397
2024
£
719,650
(689,543)
30,107		 2023
£
2,486,576
(1,087,159)
1,399,417
2023
£
719,650
(643,925)
75,725

34

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

12. INVESTMENTS

Shares in group companies 2024
£
2023
£
312
312

Investments include the following:

13. DEBTORS: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade debtors
Accrued income
Prepayments
14.
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
Hire purchase account
Trade creditors
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals		 2024
£
750
144,419
398,751
543,920
2024
£
-
327,302
101,144
164,685
279,212
872,343		 2023
£
6,402
160,018
315,860
482,280
2023
£
60,780
320,834
90,564
182,940
168,848
823,966

35

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

15. RESERVES

Movement in Reserves
Restricted Reserves
Revaluation Reserve
General Reserve
Total Reserves
Restricted Reserves
Broadcasting costs (Radio)
Word for Today
Charitable donations
Prayerline
Total Restricted Reserves		 At 1
January
2024
£
159,912
188,712
10,536,131
10,884,755
At 1
January
2024
£
36,892
-
37,565
85,455
159,912		 Incoming
Resources
£
2,907,391
-
7,354,564
10,261,955
Incoming
Resources
£
2,706,575
11,004
52,294
137,518
2,907,391		 Outgoing
Resources

£
(2,974,738)
-
(6,612,140)
(9,586,878)
Outgoing
Resources

£
(2,705,927)
(11,004)
(34,834)
(222,973)
(2,974,738)
 Transfers
£
-
(7,401)
7,401
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31
December
2024
£
92,565
181,311
11,285,956

11,559,832


At 31
December
2024
£
37,540
-
55,025
**- **
92,565

36

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

15. RESERVES (CONTINUED)

Movement in Reserves
Restricted Reserves
Revaluation Reserve
General Reserve
Total Reserves
Restricted Reserves
Youth App
Broadcasting costs (Radio)
Word for Today
Charitable donations
Prayerline
Total Restricted Reserves		 At 1 January
2023
£
402,979
196,113
8,735,209
9,334,301
At 31
December
2023
£
-
92,350
-
3,403
307,226
402,979		 Incoming
Resources
£
2,491,250
-
7,657,845
10,149,095
Incoming
Resources
£
8,813
2,257,653
18,234
36,050
170,500
2,491,250		 Outgoing
Resources

£
(2,734,317)
-
(5,864,324)
(8,598,641)
Outgoing
Resources

£
(8,813)
(2,313,111)
(18,234)
(1,888)
(392,271)
(2,734,317)		 Transfers
£
-
(7,401)
7,401
-
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31
December
2023
£
159,912
188,712
10,536,131
10,884,755
At 31
December
2023
£
-
36,892
-
37,565
85,455
159,912

The general reserve represents the working capital of the charity. The revaluation reserve was the surplus recognised on the revaluation of the freehold land and buildings; the excess depreciation over the amount calculated on the historic cost is transferred to the general reserve each year.

The restricted reserves represent donations received for specific purposes. The total restricted donations received during the year were £2,907,391 ( 2023: £2,491,250 ).

Youth App: Funds totalling £nil (2023: £8,813) were received for development of the App and were fully expended during the year.

Broadcasting costs (Radio): Balance of funds of £37,540 earmarked for radio costs ( 2023: £36,892 ).

Word for Today: Funds totalling £11,004 restricted towards Word for Today costs, were received in the year ( 2022: £18,234 ).

Charitable donations received totalled £52,294 ( 2023: £36,050 ). Donation payments are scheduled to be made to the respective organisations during 2024.

Prayerline: Funds totalling £137,518 ( 2023: £170,500) were received to be spent on Prayerline running costs, including Prayerline Officer, consultancy and a new call management system.

37

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

16. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities		 2024
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,861,968
9,477,642
(872,343)
11,467,267
2023
Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,578,974
8,969,835
(823,966)		 2024
Restricted
Funds
£
-
92,565
-
92,565
2023
Restricted
Funds
£
-
159,912
-		 2024
Total Funds
£
2,861,968
9,570,207
(872,343)
11,559,832
2023
Total Funds
£
2,578,974
9,129,747
(823,966)
10,724,843 159,912 10,884,755

17. PENSION COSTS

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charitable company to the fund and amounted to £176,164 (2023: £ 158,236 ). Contributions totalling £29,680 (2023: £nil) were payable to the fund at the year end and are included in other creditors.

38

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year the charitable company had transactions with the following related parties:

UCB International

There were £253,961 donation payments transactions ( 2023: £ 263,537) with UCB International Limited, a company in which it owns 19.2% ( 2023: 19.2% ) of the shares. David L’Herroux, CEO, was appointed as a director of UCB International from 10.3.16 and is still currently a director of UCB International.

Affiliates

The charitable company acts as an informal European regional hub, working in relationship with UCB International and providing assistance through grants, training, technical resources and spiritual support to other autonomous Christian broadcasters and publishers primarily throughout Europe.

The charitable company owns the building occupied by UCB Ireland and the following Trustees and officer of the charitable company are Members of UCB Ireland: A Scotland and D Stacey.

UCB Ireland also received the following financial support:

Salary, social security and other pension costs of Station Manager
employed by UCB
Office rent charged at less than market value		 2024
£
-
4,216
4,216		 2023
£
4,483
4,186
8,669

During the year, rent of €5,000 ( 2023: €5,000 ) was charged to United Christian Broadcasters (Ireland) in respect of the business premises occupied by United Christian Broadcasters (Ireland). Based upon comparable arrangements in the local area, the fair market rental value of the property is approximately €12,000 per year.

David L’Herroux in on the board of UCB France. Invoices totalling £40,066 ( 2023: £45,178) were paid to UCB France for the services of consultancy and chaplaincy to UCB Europe. Full disclosure was made to the UCB Board of Trustees prior to commencing this agreement. Amounts were outstanding at the year end and included in creditors of £3,145 (2023: £Nil).

A donation of £nil (2023: £8,764) was made to UCB France to assist with its cash flow. David L’Herroux is on the board of UCB France.

Amounts totalling £350 (2023: £850) were paid to New Testament Church of God for exhibition fees and advertising. E David Edwards, a Trustee of UCB, is a Director of this organisation.

Amounts totalling £863 (2023: nil) were paid to Helen Yousaf for services provided to the charity in respect of leading worship and associated services. Full disclosure was made to the UCB Board of Trustees prior to entering into this agreement.

Donations by Trustees totalled £3,860 ( 2023: £980 ) during the financial year.

39

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

19. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

There were capital commitments at 31 December 2024 of £16,243 contracted for but not provided for in the financial statements ( 2023: £36,255 ). This relates to an order for Business Central billing retention (£4,493) and a Siemens final payment for IT hardware (£11,750).

20. OTHER OPERATING COMMITMENTS

At the year end, the charitable company had total future minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:

Expire less than one year
Expire between two and five years
More than five years		 2024
£
1,354,002
4,103,890
495,568
5,953,460		 2023
£
1,248,827
3,776,834
503,954
5,529,615

21. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Amortisation charges
Interest received
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by operating activities		 2024
£
675,077
278,504
5,041
(342,545)
(61,640)
109,157
663,595		 2023
£
1,550,454
252,513
8,047
(300,789)
98,147
50,311
1,658,683

40

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

22. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT
Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within one year
Debt due after one year		 At 1
January
2024
£
8,647,467
(60,780)
-
8,586,687
 Cash
Flows
£
378,820
60,780
-
439,600		 At 31
December
2024
£
9,026,287
-
-
9,026,287

The debt due within one year and after one year relates to hire purchase finance agreements.

Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within one year
Debt due after one year		 At 1
January
2023
£
7,202,655
(60,780)
(60,780)
7,081,095
 Cash
Flows
£
1,444,812
-
60,780
1,505,592		 At 31
December
2023
£
8,647,467
(60,780)
-
8,586,687

23. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

The charitable company issued a Letter of Intent on the 5[th] August 2025, to Bowmer & Kirkland Property Services, for the amount of £3.99m (excluding VAT), to enter contract to undertake a full refurbishment of the Burslem Operations site. The agreement was signed by Bowmer & Kirkland Property Services on 12[th] August 2025.

41