Charity number: 299756
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Unaudited
Trustees' report and financial statements
For the year ended 30 November 2025
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 9 - 15 |
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 30 November 2025
| Trustees | Professor Brycchan Carey |
|---|---|
| Professor Matthew McCormack, President | |
| Dr Paul Stephens, Treasurer (to Jan 2025) (resigned 8 January 2025) | |
| Dr Helen Williams, Executive Secretary | |
| Dr Karen Lipsedge, Vice President | |
| Professor Kate Elizabeth Tunstall (resigned 8 January 2025) | |
| Dr Jon Vernon Stobart, Treasurer (from Jan 2025) (appointed 8 January 2025) | |
| Dr Emrys Daniel Blakelee Jones (appointed 30 January 2025) | |
| Charity registered number 299756 Principal office 4 West Street Moulton Northampton NN3 7SB Secretary Helen Williams Accountants Kreston Reeves LLP Maritime Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QZ Independent Examiner Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA Kreston Reeves LLP Maritime Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QZ |
Page 1
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Trustees' report
For the year ended 30 November 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
Object of Society
The object of the Society is the advancement of research, scholarship, and public education in particular by the promotion of study of the cultural history of the eighteenth century.
Principal activities undertaken
In furtherance of its objectives the Society engaged in the following main activities during the year:
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Held an annual society conference at Pembroke College, Oxford, in January 2025;
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Held a conference for early-career and postgraduate scholars at Bath Spa University, in July 2025;
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Held full Council meetings;
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Produced further volumes of its journal;
The Officers have had regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit when considering its objectives.
Public benefit
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
b. Review of Activities and Financial Position
The Council was pleased with the activities arranged and managed by the Society during the year. The Council met three times (once in person and twice online) to discuss society matters, and the Officers also met online most months to review progress on actions points agreed in Council meetings. The Annual Conference at Pembroke College, Oxford (with some online sessions) in January 2025, and the Postgraduate/ECR Conference at Bath Spa University in July 2025, were well attended and well received. During the year, the Council reviewed the financial forecast for the next five years and also reviewed and updated several policies and procedures documents in line with the guidelines provided by the Charities Commission.
The Society is currently planning the next BSECS Annual Conference, to be held at Pembroke College, Oxford, in January 2026. The change of venue after several years at St Hugh’s College has proved successful, with good provision for hybrid sessions, better acessibility and higher registration numbers.
Between 1 December 2024 and 30 November 2025 the Society gave awards and prizes to the value of £8,388.
The publishers of the journal, Wiley-Blackwell, receive all subscriptions and pay the society a lump sum for each issue of the journal and share of any future profits, an arrangement which is now well-established and successful.
The movement in funds of the year is set out in the statement of financial activities.
The society’s unrestricted reserves at 30 November 2025 amounted to £100,655 and restricted reserves were £11,406 making total reserves of £112,061.
Enquiries about the society should be addressed to the Executive Secretary, Dr Helen Williams: secretary@bsecs.org.uk
Page 2
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 November 2025
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
b. Reserves policy
The executive committee ensures reserves are sufficient to meet the cost of our conferences and funding of the journal for 12 months.
The executive committee considers the financial position of the Society at 30 November 2025 to be satisfactory.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies is an unincorporated society and is a registered charity (299756). A revised constitution was drafted by the Society and adopted by the unanimous vote of members present at the Annual General Meeting at Pembroke College, Oxford, on 7 January 2025.
Page 3
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 November 2025
Structure, governance and management (continued)
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The Officers
The officers of the Society during the year were:
President: Prof. Matthew McCormack Vice-President: Dr Karen Lipsedge Treasurer: Dr Paul Stephens (to Jan 2025) Prof. Jon Stobart (from Jan 2025) Executive Secretary: Dr Helen Williams
The officers are elected at an Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election, except that the president shall not normally be eligible for re-election on more than two successive occasions.
Council
The following individuals were members of the council during the year:
President: Prof. Matthew McCormack Past President: Prof. Brycchan Carey Vice-President: Dr Karen Lipsedge Treasurer: Dr Paul Stephens (to Jan 2025) Prof. Jon Stobart (from Jan 2025) Assistant Treasurer: Dr Paul Stephens (from Jan to Mar 2025 Ms Catherine Maw (from Mar 2025) Executive Secretary: Dr Helen Williams Awards Officer: Dr James Harriman-Smith Centres & Associate Societies Officer: Dr Stephanie Howard-Smith (to Aug 2025) Communications & Media Officer: Dr Sarah Fox Dr Katie Snow Conference Organisers: Dr Declan Gilmore-Kavanagh Dr Meg Kobza Mr Hardeep Singh Dhinsa (from Jul 2025) Criticks Editor: Dr Katie Noble Engagement Officer: Dr Hilary Burlock (from Sep 2025) Equality, Inclusion & Diversity Officers: Dr Ryan Hanley Dr Karen Lipsedge Heritage and Public Engagement Officer: Dr Hilary Burlock ISECS Representative: Prof. Matthew Grenby Journal Editor: Dr Emrys Jones Membership Officer: Dr Gillian Williamson PG/ECR Representatives: Ms Rachel Bynoth Ms Emma Pearce Mr Hardeep Singh Dhinsa (to Jul 2025) Reviews Editor: Dr Adam J. Smith Ordinary Members: Prof. Kate Tunstall Co-opted Members: None ( Replacing Centres Officer)
Page 4
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 November 2025
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. 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.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Professor Matthew McCormack BSECS President and Trustee Date:
Page 5
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Independent examiner's report For the year ended 30 November 2025
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 November 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.
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 that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Signed: Dated: Samantha Rouse FCCA DChA Kreston Reeves LLP Maritime Place Quayside Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent ME4 4QZ
Page 6
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Statement of financial activities For the year ended 30 November 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) before net (losses)/gains on investments Net (losses)/gains on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 1,400 98,822 2,769 102,991 96,566 96,566 6,425 (26) 6,399 94,256 6,399 100,655 |
Restricted funds 2025 £ - - 326 326 - - 326 - 326 11,080 326 11,406 |
Total funds 2025 £ 1,400 98,822 3,095 103,317 96,566 96,566 6,751 (26) 6,725 105,336 6,725 112,061 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,110 80,122 3,580 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84,812 86,957 |
||||
| 86,957 (2,145) 122 |
||||
| (2,023) 107,359 (2,023) |
||||
| 105,336 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Balance sheet As at 30 November 2025
| Note Fixed assets Current assets Debtors 9 Investments 10 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds: Mason Lecture 12 Prizes and Awards Fund 12 Total restricted funds 12 Unrestricted funds General funds 12 Total unrestricted funds 12 Total funds |
38,293 1,157 134,417 173,867 (61,806) 5,780 5,626 100,655 |
2025 £ 112,061 112,061 11,406 100,655 112,061 |
20,796 1,183 145,016 166,995 (61,659) 5,615 5,465 94,256 |
2024 £ 105,336 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105,336 | ||||
| 11,080 94,256 |
||||
| 105,336 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Professor Matthew McCormack
BSECS President and Trustee Date:
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 November 2025
1. General information
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies is a charity registered in England with number 299756. Its principle office is 4 West Street, Moulton, Northampton, NN3 7SB
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements have been prepared in British Sterling and rounded to the nearest Pound.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Trust to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation of the financial statements and have concluded that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern, thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Subscriptions are credited to the statement of financial activities in the year which they are recieved.
Income recieved in respect of conferences is credited to the statement of financial activities in the year in which the conference takes place.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Page 9
The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 November 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.5 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.6 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.7 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.8 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.9 Financial instruments
The Charity 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 with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2.10 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds comprise the Mason Lecture Fund and the Prizes and Awards Fund.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
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The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 November 2025
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Total 2024 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 1,400 1,110 |
Total funds 2025 £ 1,400 1,110 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,110 |
|---|---|---|---|
4. Income from charitable activities
| Subscriptions received Conference Income Total 2024 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 25,048 73,774 98,822 80,122 |
Total funds 2025 £ 25,048 73,774 98,822 80,122 |
Total funds 2024 £ 22,008 58,114 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80,122 | |||
5. Investment income
| Bank interest Total 2024 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 2,769 3,223 |
Restricted funds 2025 £ 326 357 |
Total funds 2025 £ 3,095 3,580 |
Total funds 2024 £ 3,580 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Charitable activities Total 2024 |
Support costs 2025 £ 96,566 86,957 |
Total funds 2025 £ 96,566 86,957 |
Total funds 2024 £ 86,957 |
|---|---|---|---|
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The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 November 2025
6. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of support costs
| ISECS Affiliation fees Conference expenses PG Conference expenses Journals and publications Bursaries Accountancy fees Sundry expenses Insurance Subscriptions Bad debt expense |
Total funds 2025 £ 579 72,884 3,690 1,800 8,388 1,920 5,181 389 1,388 347 96,566 |
Total funds 2024 £ 571 62,852 - 1,350 10,951 1,440 8,082 389 1,322 - |
|---|---|---|
| 86,957 |
Sundry expenses consist primarily of committee meeting expenses and the re-imbursement of the committee members' travelling/administrative expenses incurred in representing the Society.
The Charity has no employees.
7. Independent examiner's remuneration
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner for the independent | ||
| examination of the Charity's annual accounts | 1,920 | 1,440 |
8. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL).
During the year ended 30 November 2025, expenses totalling £2,606 were reimbursed or paid directly to 7 Trustees (2024 - £3,945 to 5 Trustees). The expenses related to travel costs.
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The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 November 2025
9. Debtors
| Due within one year Trade debtors Conference expenses paid in advance |
2025 £ 2,100 36,193 38,293 |
2024 £ 3,372 17,424 |
|---|---|---|
| 20,796 |
10. Current asset investments
| Listed investments Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Creditors and accruals Conference fees received in advance |
2025 £ 1,157 2025 £ 2,498 59,308 61,806 |
2024 £ 1,183 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 2,189 59,470 |
||
| 61,659 |
11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
12. Statement of funds Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds - all funds Restricted funds Mason Lecture Prizes and Awards Total of funds |
Balance at 1 December 2024 £ 94,256 5,615 5,465 11,080 105,336 |
Income £ 102,991 165 161 326 103,317 |
Expenditure £ (96,566) - - - (96,566) |
Gains/ (Losses) £ (26) - - - (26) |
Balance at 30 November 2025 £ 100,655 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,780 5,626 |
|||||
| 11,406 | |||||
| 112,061 |
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The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 November 2025
12. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Balance at 1 December 2023 £ Income £ Unrestricted funds General Funds 96,636 84,455 Restricted funds Mason Lecture 5,434 181 Prizes and Awards 5,289 176 10,723 357 Total of funds 107,359 84,812 13. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current year Current assets Creditors due within one year Total Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Expenditure £ (86,957) - - - (86,957) Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 162,461 (61,806) 100,655 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 155,915 (61,659) 94,256 |
Gains/ (Losses) £ 122 - - - 122 Restricted funds 2025 £ 11,406 - 11,406 Restricted funds 2024 £ 11,080 - 11,080 |
Balance at 30 November 2024 £ 94,256 5,615 5,465 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,080 | |||
| 105,336 Total funds 2025 £ 173,867 (61,806) |
|||
| 112,061 Total funds 2024 £ 166,995 (61,659) |
|||
| 105,336 |
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The British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 November 2025
14. Related party transactions
The Charity has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the Charity at 30 November 2025.
Page 15