Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
Charity Registration No. 306093
Company Registration No. 05306975 (England and Wales)
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Ben Herbert |
|---|---|
| Alison Field (President) | |
| Rodney Morgan-Giles (Treasurer) | |
| Cheryl Lundberg | |
| Ian Tubby (Chairperson) | |
| Harriet Schiavone | |
| James Hamilton Stubber | |
| Caroline Harrison | |
| Felix Gregory | |
| Gregory Vickers | |
| Secretary | Christopher Williams |
| Charity number | 306093 |
| Company number | 05306975 |
| Registered office | The Hay Barns |
| Home Farm Drive | |
| Upton | |
| Banbury | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| OX15 6HU | |
| Auditor | Ellacotts Audit Services Limited |
| Countrywide House | |
| 23 West Bar | |
| Banbury | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| England | |
| OX16 9SA | |
| Bankers | CAF Bank ltd |
| 25 Kings Hill Avenue | |
| West Malling | |
| Kent | |
| ME19 4JQ | |
| Solicitors | Bower & Bailey Solicitors |
| 39 South Bar | |
| Banbury | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| OX16 9AE | |
| Investment advisors | Canaccord Genuity |
| 88 Wood Street | |
| London | |
| EC2V 7QR | |
| Killik & Co | |
| 46 Grosvenor Street | |
| London | |
| W1K 3HN |
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees report | 1 - 8 |
| Statement of trustees responsibilities | 9 |
| Independent auditor's report | 10 - 12 |
| Statement of financial activities | 13 |
| Balance sheet | 14 |
| Statement of cash flows | 15 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 16 - 30 |
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual Trustees’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 December 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and 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).
Objectives and activities
The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) stated charitable objects are:
-
the advancement and dissemination of the knowledge and practice of forestry, arboriculture and allied sciences;
-
the advancement of education in forestry, arboriculture and allied sciences;
-
the promotion of research in forestry, arboriculture and allied sciences, and the publication of the results thereof.
The RFS fulfils its charitable objects by providing a forum for the exchange and dissemination of learning on all aspects of the science and practice of woodland management by organising meetings, conferences, lectures and training courses, publication of a journal, and online news and information. The Society supports forestry education with a wide range of awards and bursaries, encouraging young people to take up careers in forestry and arboriculture and engaging school children to raise awareness of why and how woods are managed.
Public benefit
In the performance of their duties, the Trustees have had due regard to guidance published by the Charities Commission on public benefit.
Strategic report
The description under the headings "Achievements and performance" and "Financial review" meet the company law requirements for the Trustees to present a strategic report.
Public benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Strategic report
The description under the headings "Achievements and performance" and "Financial review" meet the company law requirements for the trustees to present a strategic report.
Achievements and performance
OVERVIEW
2025 saw another full programme of activities, including Woodland Meetings run by the RFS Divisions, and other events run by the central staff and support team, helping to deliver the Society’s objectives. A significant development in 2025, was the launch of a new Strategy: Inspiring Excellence in Woodland Management . The Strategy sets out the Society’s direction and aspirations for the next 10 years. Another major development this year began in September, when the RFS proudly became the host organisation for Action Oak . We are keen to help support this initiative’s important work to ensure oaks across the UK can thrive in the future. The central staff and support team have continued to run various important programmes and activities to support our education, careers, media and advocacy work, as well as developing our membership, grants, and bursaries.
- 1 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
MEMBERSHIP
Membership remains central to the activities undertaken by the RFS Divisions and the central support team. A full programme of woodland meetings and training events was organised, along with evening talks and lectures. Over 70 Woodland Meetings , lectures and events were organised by the 20 RFS Divisions, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These events provide an incomparable choice of venues and forestry topics for members of the Society and their guests, and remain at the heart of RFS activity.
Delegates enjoyed a 4 day Annual Study Tour ably hosted by the South Wales Division. The tour included informative visits of Llanover and Llanarth Estates, Afan Valley, Bryanu Farm and Wentwood. The Society’s AGM was held during the Study Tour.
In 2025, we continued to run our popular one-day training events on a range of subjects including three new courses in: Continuous Cover Forestry, Managing Woods for Wildlife and New Technologies in Forestry. The training course programme reached over 100 individual delegates, and pleasingly, all courses were fully booked. The majority of places were booked by RFS members, demonstrating that we are meeting their needs through the programme.
We also hosted on-line events including the RFS Three Counties lecture webinar, where Anna Field talked about Goshawks. We co-hosted the DiversiTree Webinar: Diversifying the tree species composition of our woodlands to increase resilience and the Tree of Knowledge Webinar: Exploring how tree species and genetic diversity and epigenetic effects can increase forest. In November, the RFS joined forces with the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, and other forestry organisations, to support a webinar on the subject of reducing the use of plastics in woodland management.
The NDG James Memorial Lecture held at Trinity College, Oxford, was delivered by Dr Eleanor Tew, Head of Forestry England Planning. Dr Tew talked on the subject of forest resilience and what it means in practice.
As ever, we are very grateful to our members for their continued support, and we were pleased to welcome 295 new members to the Society in 2025. We ended the year with 3,849 members, including corporate members, representing a small net loss of members for the year.
In 2025, we attended the Royal Welsh Show in July and the Agroforestry Show in September, and at both shows we hosted stands and gave presentations to delegates. These shows provide important opportunities to meet RFS members, to reach new audiences and for networking. At the Royal Welsh Show, we launched a sector-wide survey to assess the mental wellbeing of people who work in forestry and arboriculture.
The Grants for Resilient Woodlands programme has continued to go from strength to strength, with the scheme now having supported the planting of over half a million trees to date. Throughout 2025, interest in the programme increased, with growing numbers of foresters and landowners planning for the long-term health and resilience of their woodlands. Applications have reflected a strong commitment to diversification, with projects exploring a broader mix of species and trialling alternatives alongside established choices, helping to ensure woodlands are equipped to meet future challenges.
In 2025, the scheme also supported an increase in corporate volunteering days, providing valuable opportunities to engage businesses and individuals directly in woodland creation and management. These corporate days in RFS woods have played an important educational role, helping participants to better understand the complexities of woodland management, the challenges facing the UK’s woodlands, and the importance of informed, long-term approaches to tree planting and care.
- 2 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
LEARNING AND OUTREACH
Teaching Trees continues to be the leading Forest Education programme in England and Wales through our fullyfunded woodland visits and the Junior Forester Award . In 2025, we reached over 5,200 children through 164 visits led by our skilled Education Officers and maintained our target to reach a high proportion (nearly 50%) of children from schools in economically deprived communities that we know are the least likely to visit woodlands in their own time. Thanks to partnerships with Green the UK and Gateshead Council, we were able to increase our programme of tree planting in schools with over 1,500 trees planted in school and community spaces over the course of the year. 2025 also saw the launch of a Welsh language addition edition of the Junior Forester Award, enabling more children than ever before to take part in their first language.
We remain a leading voice in sector skills and workforce capacity. Forestry Roots welcomed its eighth cohort of trainee foresters and arborists thanks to the kind support of the ALA Green Charitable Trust, their host employers, the FC and Defra. This programme enables the RFS to place young people into their first paid forestry employment on one-year contracts with RFS members, committed to high standards of training, coaching and development of young people. In 2025, 8 trainees secured full-time forestry positions across England and Wales through the programme.
We saw a doubling in demand for the Forestry and Arboriculture Careers Advice Service with over 100 members of the public wanting advice on how to take their first or next steps in a forestry or arboriculture career. The Forestry Jobs Board has also grown with nearly 100 adverts placed by our members. Through our membership of the Forestry Skills Forum, we were asked to take a lead on representing the sector at Careers Events through the work of Forestry Ambassadors. We attended 8 events in the final quarter of the year and, thanks to funding from the Forestry Commission (FC) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we began the recruitment of a network of Forestry Ambassadors to speak about careers in Forestry and Arboriculture in their local communities.
EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
The Society’s communications reflect the key themes of the new organisational strategy to 2035: woodland resilience, forestry skills & workforce, forestry policy and public understanding of forestry. In 2025, we issued 15 press releases, 15 blog posts, 22 news posts, 2 comments on government policy and 10 guest articles featuring RFS members. Two new case studies were published featuring the outcomes of our grants for resilience awards. The RFS was covered in regional and trade media on several occasions on a range of subjects, including the Excellence in Forestry Awards, tree planting in Gateshead Schools, Women in Forestry and more.
The RFS continues to engage as an active member in several sector forums, including the FC Delivery Advisory Group, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry and Tree Planting, the Forestry Skills Forum, UK Squirrel Accord, the England Woodland Biodiversity Group, and the Wellbeing in Forestry group , which is chaired and convened by the RFS. In 2025, the RFS CEO became the inaugural Chair of a new forum, the Resilient Treescape Advisory Group , which was formed by a merger of the Forestry Climate Change Partnership and Defra’s Tree Health Policy Group.
The RFS website is reviewed and updated regularly to ensure we are providing helpful literature, information and news items for our members and the wider public. RFS events, projects and activities are displayed along with free resources for woodland managers and educators.
The Quarterly Journal of Forestry has continued to deliver high-quality forestry articles to RFS members throughout the year. Selected articles with wide appeal have been published on the RFS website as Featured Articles, and promoted via RFS social media channels.
The RFS e-news bulletin continues to be a popular source of news and updates for our members. In 2025, 24 issues of the bulletin were circulated to our membership with an average open rate of 50%, a click rate of 12.7% and unsubscribe rate as low as 0.06%. These figures are above average for similar sectors, and show our membership are engaged in the stories the RFS is telling through the bulletin.
The RFS’s presence on social media has grown further in 2025. LinkedIn and Instagram remain our most successful platforms. The former has seen followers increase by over 50%, from 2,923 to 4,460. Social media channels are valuable platforms for reaching a wider audience, especially young professionals, educators, students and the general public.
- 3 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The RFS launched a new podcast, Gone Foresting , in 2025 with four episodes published covering Women in Forestry, Plant Health Week, Mental Health in Forestry and the Value of Conifers. Analytics tell us the podcast was more popular than 80% of new podcasts with roughly 150 people following the podcast. Further episodes are planned for 2026 and new recording equipment will enable improved sound quality.
The RFS has led an important new programme seeking to address mental wellbeing issues in forestry, which involved producing a hard-hitting video about the stress and mental health challenges facing forestry contractors. The video received a high level of engagement across platforms and received a positive response from the sector. This was followed up by a podcast episode which also received positive feedback. Further communications activities on wellbeing in forestry are in the planning stages.
AWARDS AND BURSARIES
Randle Travel Bursaries are awarded to RFS members to undertake independent travel to study various aspects of forestry. In 2025, one Randle Travel Bursary was awarded enabling Chris Reynolds to attend and participate in the 11th International Oak Society Conference at the University of Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Viking Bursaries can be awarded to those undertaking a FdSc, BSc, MSc or PhD course studying any aspect of forestry which benefits the practical management and resilience of woodlands. In 2025, a bursary was awarded to Aakash Basi of the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) to support his PhD research on the management of urban trees and woodlands.
Spencer Bursaries are awarded to RFS Student members or recent graduates to help with the cost of attending RFS events and training. In 2025, five Spencer Bursaries were awarded enabling students to attend RFS one day courses and events.
ACTION OAK
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Defra was signed in August, and from 1 September 2025, the RFS took on the responsibility of hosting Action Oak from Woodland Heritage. Action Oak is an initiative comprised of public and private partners, committed to the health of oak trees. Its partners include charities, governments, landowners, and research institutions.
Action Oak activities since September include a special oak event for Hoare’s bank customers, the release of an Annual Report, and a special blog identifying drivers of oak damage during storm Arwen. In 2026, Action Oak will release an important report on the State of the UK’s Oaks .
The Goodhart Bursary enabled four Early Career Foresters to attend our Annual Study Tour at a heavily discounted rate. A further two bursaries were kindly funded by the South Wales Division, to enable 2 early career members from Wales to attend the Study Tour.
The RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards is a prestigious programme which recognises best practice in woodland management and forestry education across 5 award categories. In 2025, we continued with the regional format with entries invited from the following RFS Divisions: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset & Dorset, South Western, and Worcestershire.
The Awards Ceremony was held at the Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum, and was kindly sponsored by the Duchy of Cornwall, FSC, PEFC, Tilhill, Trees Please, Savills, and the Woodland Trust. Our thanks also go to all the Awards’ judges for their excellent support throughout the process.
- 4 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The Duke of Cornwall’s Award for Resilient Multi-Purpose Forestry was won by The Perridge Estate, Devon, owned by Sir harry Studholme. Buckland Wood, Devon, owned by Ralph Nicholson, won the Bede Howell Award for Excellence in Silviculture. Moreton Wood, Herefordshire, owned by Joanna Callaghan and Paul Morton, won the Small and Farm Woodland of the Year Award. The Education and Learning Award was won by Children of the Forest, Devon, owned by Lewis Ames, and the Community Woodland of the Year Award was won by Madley Primary School in Herefordshire.
The Sylva Trophy , kindly gifted to the RFS by the Evelyn family, is awarded to the person or organisation considered by the RFS to have made an outstanding contribution to forestry in its broadest sense. In 2025, the trophy was awarded to Graham Taylor, MBS, FICFor for his outstanding contribution to forestry over many years.
RFS WOODS
To help achieve our charitable purposes, the RFS owns and manages three working woodlands which aim to demonstrate how multi-purpose woodland can be managed to meet financial, conservation and educational objectives.
The Charles Ackers Redwood Grove and Naylor Pinetum at Leighton in North Wales continued to be looked after by Honorary Warden Eve Over, supported by an Advisory group. Work on site this has focused mostly on safety and clearing up after storm damage and the results of a tree safety inspection. The Advisory group met on site in August to consider ideas for inclusion in a new Woodland Management Plan which is being developed.
At Hockeridge and Pancake Woods in the Chilterns, the site continued to be looked after by woodland agent, John Morris, supported by the Chilterns Society volunteer work party and an Advisory group. In 2025, tree safety works were completed along the busy Chesham road. Deer control continued, as did work to control the spread of black cherry. A new woodland management plan was written and submitted to FC, which will guide our work at the site in the coming years. The Advisory Group met in August to meet prospective forestry agents who will take on management of the site when John, the current agent, retires in 2026.
Battram Wood in the National Forest, is looked after by forestry agents, supported by an Advisory group. In 2025, we appointed Forwoods as our new agents for the woods. Ride and hedgerow cutting and grey squirrel control continued to be undertaken. New interpretation boards, funded by the Goodhart legacy were installed early in the year, and in September, we ran our first ever training course on the use of drones at the woods at Battram woods. We continued to run Teaching Trees sessions at Battram, and which received very positive comments from the children who participated.
STAFF, CONTRACTORS AND VOLUNTEERS
Pleasingly, once again there were very few changes to our staffing and support personnel. The Director of Action Oak, Annabel Narayanan, joined the staff team from 1 September when the RFS took on hosting Action Oak (see above). An appointment for the new role of Finance and Facilities Officer was made in September, but this position became vacant by the end of the year. We will seek to reappoint for this role in 2026.
At the end of the year there were a record fourteen RFS staff positions, ably supported by freelance contractors who, among other important activities, edit our publications, deliver the Teaching Trees sessions to children and help to manage the RFS woods. The RFS also depends on the energy and goodwill of a large number of volunteers to support its work, particularly in the Divisions, who dedicate many hours to organising local events for members.
The Trustees thank all our staff, contractors and volunteers for their hard work and commitment during 2025.
Staff have maintained efficient and effective operations and high standards of service for members and supporters. Divisional volunteers continued to support members by organising Woodland Meetings and through effective and regular communications
- 5 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Financial review
Total income in 2025 was £1,003,818 (2024: £917,444). Income from membership subscriptions, donations, other trading income and investments was all greater than the previous year. Income also increased due to Action Oak income received not present last year. Total expenditure for the year was £966,756 (2024: £967,164) recording a net surplus of £37,062 excluding movements on investments. There was an increase in the value of investments of £334,495, reflecting movements in global stock markets, which means there was an increase in total charitable funds for the year of £371,557.
Reserves policy
The total funds at 31 December 2025 were £2,620,509. Restricted funds representing donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes were £923,894. Designated funds set aside from unrestricted funds by the Trustees for specific educational activities and to provide for future running costs were £1,478,691. Accordingly, an amount of £217,924 is freely available to finance the charity’s general purposes. This amount represents around two months of normal expenditure by the charity. The trustees intend to increase this to a level at which the Society can ensure operational continuity in the event of a severe disruption.
Investment policy
Management of the Society’s investments is governed by an Acceptance of donations and investment policy approved by the Board of Trustees in February 2025. The Society’s investments are held in equities, gilt-edged stocks and unit trusts, all quoted on the London Stock Exchange and now managed by Killik & Co LLP, since 22 October 2025. There are two portfolios, a managed fund which aims for a balance between capital growth and income and an execution only portfolio of exchange traded funds with lower management costs. The total value of RFS investments at the end of 2025 was £1,801,594 (2024: £1,718,836).
Plans for future periods
In 2024, RFS members were consulted as part of the process of creating a new strategy: Inspiring excellence in woodland management , which was launched in 2025. The new strategy describes refreshed values which we apply as we work towards delivering a new mission, to support the creation and management of a resilient multipurpose treescape. The new strategy builds on the strengths of the Society, and its previous achievements.
We will continue to focus our work on creating more resilient and productive woods through our woodland meetings, study tours, and publications. We will seek to raise the profile of forestry through our media, partnerships and outreach work. We will seek to develop career pathways into forestry through our bursaries, professional certifications, and careers support services.
Membership growth and development will remain at the heart of our activity, and we will seek to strengthen the RFS Divisions, which play a key role in building and supporting our membership. We will seek to integrate Divisional activity with Head Office operations where this is possible, and develop our membership offer.
- 6 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Structure, governance and management
Charity number: 306093 Company number: 5306975 Registered office: The Hay Barns, Home Farm Drive, Upton, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 6HU
Our advisers
Auditors Ellacotts Audit Services Limited, Countrywide House, 23 West Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, OX16 9SA
Solicitors Bower and Bailey LLP, 31-34 South Bar Street, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9AE Investment Canaccord Genuity Ltd, 88 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7QR advisors Killik & Co, 46 Grosvenor St, London, W1K 3HN
The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. The directors shown below have held office during the period from 1 January 2025 to the date of this report.
A Field (re-elected president from 1 October 2025) J Hamilton Stubber (re-elected Vice President from 1 October 2025) R Morgan-Giles (re-elected Treasurer from 14 May 2025) B Herbert (Immediate Past President) I Tubby (re-elected Chair of the Board from 1 October 2025) C Lundberg H Schiavone C Harrison F Gregory G Vickers
- 7 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Governance
As a company limited by guarantee, the RFS' rules are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association which can be found on the RFS web site: www.rfs.org.uk. During 2025 all Trustee meetings were held in person. Both Council meetings and the AGM were also held in person.
Appointment of Trustees
The RFS Council nominates the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Chair for election at the Annual General Meeting. Each Division of the Society appoints one member to Council which also includes the Past Presidents, the Directors and up to six co-opted members.
Trustee induction and training
New Directors are given appropriate induction about the RFS and their duties as Trustees. The Board regularly reviews its policies and practices in the light of Charity Commission advice.
Related parties
None of our Trustees receive remuneration or other benefits from their work with the charity. In the current year, no related party transactions were reported.
Pay policy for senior staff
The directors consider the Board of directors, who are Trustees of the Society, and the Leadership team comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the Society on a day to day basis. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of directors' expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in notes 12 and 28 to the accounts.
The pay policy for senior staff is reviewed annually by the Board, based on market conditions and changes to roles and responsibilities.
Risk management
The Trustees have assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Auditor
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Ellacotts Audit Services Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
Disclosure of information to auditor
In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees' annual report:
-
there is no relevant information, being information needed by the auditor in connection with preparing their report, of which the auditor is unaware, and
-
the trustees, having made enquiries of fellow directors and the auditor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that he/she is obliged to take as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
The trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
..............................
Rodney Morgan-Giles (Treasurer)
Treasurer
4/3/2026 | 18:45 GMT
Date: .............................................
- 8 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors of The Royal Forestry Society for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts;
-
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
- 9 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Royal Forestry Society (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities incuding the Summary Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 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:
-
give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
-
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 charity 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 trustees 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 charity’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 other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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 course of 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.
- 10 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
-
the information given in the trustees report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
the directors' report included within the trustees report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in 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:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
-
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
-
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
-
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees responsibilities, set out on page 9, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose 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 charity’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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
- 11 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
As part of the audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also performed the following procedures:
-
Enquiry of management around actual and potential litigation and claims.
-
Enquiry of entity staff in tax and compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations.
-
Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.
-
Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
-
Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 391 of the Companies Act 2014. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the 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 company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Charlotte Toemaes BSc FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Ellacotts Audit Services Limited, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants
Countrywide House 23 West Bar
Banbury Oxfordshire OX16 9SA England Date: ......................... 5/3/2026 | 10:29 GMT
- 12 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 Notes £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 169,753 434,274 Charitable activities Seminars, meetings and events 4 13,301 23,831 Subscriptions from members 4 280,222 - Other trading activities 5 3,437 2,368 Investments 6 51,978 7,154 Other income 7 17,500 - Total income 536,191 467,627 Expenditure on: Raising funds 8 78,336 1,011 Charitable activities 9 583,252 304,157 Total expenditure 661,588 305,168 Net gains/(losses) on investments 14 287,666 46,829 Net income and movement in funds 162,269 209,288 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances at 1 January 2025 1,534,346 714,606 Fund balances at 31 December 2025 1,696,615 923,894 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 604,027 98,966 365,164 37,132 41,717 6,865 280,222 269,410 - 5,805 18,683 36,280 59,132 61,001 1,858 17,500 17,500 - 1,003,818 507,277 410,167 79,347 76,280 924 887,409 553,859 336,101 966,756 630,139 337,025 334,495 35,411 16,904 371,557 (87,451) 90,046 2,248,952 1,621,797 624,560 2,620,509 1,534,346 714,606 |
Total 2024 £ 464,130 - 48,582 269,410 54,963 62,859 17,500 |
|---|---|---|
| 917,444 | ||
| 77,204 889,960 |
||
| 967,164 | ||
| 52,315 | ||
| 2,595 2,246,357 |
||
| 2,248,952 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 13 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
|2025
Notes
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
16
306,628
Investments
17
1,801,594
2,108,222
Current assets
Stocks
18
3,656
Debtors
19
57,703
Cash at bank and in hand
562,717
624,076
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
20
(111,789)
Net current assets
512,287
Total assets less current liabilities
2,620,509
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
23
923,894
Unrestricted funds
24
1,696,615
2,620,509
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................
4/3/2026 | 18:45 GMT|2024
£
£
306,421
1,718,836
2,025,257
4,261
45,801
252,696
302,758
(79,063)
223,695
2,248,952
714,606
1,534,346
2,248,952|2024
£
£
306,421
1,718,836
2,025,257
4,261
45,801
252,696
302,758
(79,063)
223,695
2,248,952
714,606
1,534,346
2,248,952|
|---|---|---|
|||2,025,257
223,695|
|||2,248,952|
|||714,606
1,534,346|
|||2,248,952|
||||
..............................
Rodney Morgan-Giles (Treasurer) Treasurer
Company registration number 05306975 (England and Wales)
- 14 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations 29 Investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Purchase of investments Proceeds from disposal of investments Investment income received Net cash generated from investing activities Net cash generated from financing activities Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
2025 £ £ 2,927 (3,775) (808,578) 1,060,315 59,132 307,094 - 310,021 252,696 562,717 |
2024 £ £ (65,076) (2,075) (138,944) 104,900 62,859 26,740 - (38,336) 291,032 252,696 |
|---|---|---|
- 15 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
The Royal Forestry Society is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Hay Barns, Home Farm Drive, Upton, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 6HU.
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of fixed asset investments which are measured at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds - Unrestricted funds are spent or applied at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity’s purposes.
Restricted funds - Funds held on specific trusts under charity law are classed as restricted funds. The specific trusts may be declared by the donor when making the gift or may result from the terms of an appeal for funds. The specific trusts establish the purpose for which the charity can lawfully use the restricted funds.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Income from donations, subscriptions, legacies, grants, sales of merchandise and forestry activities is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Legacies are included in the year in which they are quantifiable and receivable, which is when the charity becomes entitled to the resource.
Income tax recoverable on covenanted subscriptions and Gift Aid is credited in the year in which the subscriptions or donations are receivable.
Donated assets are accounted for at their market value at the time of the donation.
- 16 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.5 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 is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Salaries and other support costs have been allocated to expenditure headings on the basis of time spent on those activities. Transactions carried out by divisions have been included in these financial statements, based on their approved accounts for the year. Governance costs are those incurred in compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Freehold properties held for charity use are included at the value at which they were held by the previous, unincorporated, charity.
Other tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Investment assets are included at market value.
Depreciation has not been charged on freehold buildings where the useful economic life is expected to exceed fifty years. Freehold land is not depreciated. The Leighton chalet is being written off over its useful economic life of thirty years, and office and other equipment over five years. No depreciation is charged on library books as the residual value is estimated to be the same or higher than cost.
Freehold land and buildings 30 years straight line on buildings Computer and office equipment 5 years straight line Library books Not depreciated
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Fixed asset investments
Investments are stated in the balance sheet at market value. The difference between market value and original cost of the investment are shown as net gains or losses and transferred to the revaluation reserve. The difference between the balance sheet value and the proceed of investments disposed of it shown as a gain or loss in the statement of financial activities.
1.8 Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
1.9 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.
- 17 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.10 Financial instruments
The trust 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.
1.11 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.12 Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the Charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The trustees do not believe there to be any estimates or judgements which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Donations and gifts 11,386 378,400 Legacies 13,922 - Grants 144,445 55,874 169,753 434,274 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 389,786 37,450 342,164 13,922 4,142 - 200,319 57,374 23,000 604,027 98,966 365,164 |
Total 2024 £ 379,614 4,142 80,374 |
|---|---|---|
| 464,130 |
- 18 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
4 Income from charitable activities
| Seminars, meetings and events Subscriptio ns from members 2025 2025 £ £ Sale of goods 37,132 280,222 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 13,301 280,222 Restricted funds 23,831 - 37,132 280,222 5 Income from other trading activities Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Other income 3,437 2,368 6 Income from investments Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Income from listed investments 47,293 6,916 Interest receivable 4,685 238 51,978 7,154 |
Total Seminars, meetings and events Subscriptio ns from members 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 317,354 48,582 269,410 293,523 41,717 269,410 23,831 6,865 - 317,354 48,582 269,410 Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 5,805 18,683 36,280 Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 54,209 54,896 1,431 4,923 6,105 427 59,132 61,001 1,858 |
Total 2024 £ 317,992 |
|---|---|---|
| 311,127 6,865 |
||
| 317,992 | ||
| Total 2024 £ 54,963 |
||
| Total 2024 £ 56,327 6,532 |
||
| 62,859 |
7 Other income
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted |
|---|---|
| funds | funds |
| 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ |
| 17,500 | 17,500 |
Royalties
- 19 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
8 Expenditure on raising funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ Fundraising and publicity Other fundraising costs 3,063 - Staff costs 69,319 - 72,382 - Investment management 5,954 1,011 Total costs 78,336 1,011 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 3,063 2,650 - 69,319 68,179 - 72,382 70,829 - 6,965 5,451 924 79,347 76,280 924 |
Total 2024 £ 2,650 68,179 |
|---|---|---|
| 70,829 | ||
| 6,375 | ||
| 77,204 |
- 20 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Membership services Education 2025 2025 £ £ Direct costs Staff costs 295,692 38,186 Depreciation and impairment 3,568 - Other office costs 50,770 - Travel costs 1,076 10,707 Computer costs 1,433 641 Membership costs 7,715 - Publicity, advertising and journal costs 63,237 1,103 Seminar and meeting costs - 18,837 Competition and judging costs 1,567 - Forestry costs - 19,964 Premises costs 43,607 - Membership events 10,529 - Education project costs - 302,995 479,194 392,433 Share of support and governance costs (see note 10) Support 4,273 - Governance 11,509 - 494,976 392,433 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds 456,928 126,324 Restricted funds 38,048 266,109 494,976 392,433 |
Total Membership services Education 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ 333,878 201,075 88,010 3,568 4,281 - 50,770 25,246 - 11,783 6,312 8,341 2,074 1,496 406 7,715 9,311 - 64,340 59,827 3,893 18,837 10,823 21,624 1,567 2,686 9,297 19,964 - 17,435 43,607 41,816 - 10,529 38,655 - 302,995 - 295,316 871,627 401,528 444,322 4,273 29,116 - 11,509 14,994 - 887,409 445,638 444,322 583,252 441,085 112,774 304,157 4,553 331,548 887,409 445,638 444,322 |
Total 2024 £ 289,085 4,281 25,246 14,653 1,902 9,311 63,720 32,447 11,983 17,435 41,816 38,655 295,316 |
|---|---|---|
| 845,850 29,116 14,994 |
||
| 889,960 | ||
| 553,859 336,101 |
||
| 889,960 |
- 21 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
10 Support costs allocated to activities
| 10 Support costs allocated to activities |
||
|---|---|---|
| General office Sundry Other staff costs Governance costs Analysed between: Membership services Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £9,750 (2024: £9,200) for audit 11 Net movement in funds The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting): Fees payable to the auditors of the charity's financial statements Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets |
2025 £ 2,602 747 924 11,509 15,782 15,782 |
2024 £ 21,822 5,603 1,691 14,994 |
| 44,110 | ||
| 44,110 | ||
| fees. | ||
| 2025 £ 9,750 3,568 |
2024 £ 9,607 4,281 |
12 Trustees
None of the trustees (nor any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, but six of them were reimbursed a total of £4,392 for out-of-pocket expenses (2024- five were reimbursed £3,886).
13 Employees
The average monthly head count was 13 staff (2024 - 12) and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees during the year was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Number | |
| Management | 1 | 1 |
| Education staff | 2 | 2 |
| Support staff | 6 | 6 |
| Total | 9 | 9 |
- 22 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 13 | Employees | (Continued) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employment costs | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Wages and salaries | 361,823 | 328,481 | |||||
| Social security costs | 34,897 | 22,956 | |||||
| Other pension costs | 6,477 | 5,827 | |||||
| 403,197 | 357,264 | ||||||
| The number of employees | whose annual | remuneration | was more than £60,000 | ||||
| is as follows: | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Number | Number | ||||||
| £60,001 to £70,000 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Remuneration of key management personnel | |||||||
| The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows: | |||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| £ | £ | ||||||
| Aggregate compensation | 69,571 | 69,571 | |||||
| 14 | Gains and losses on investments | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||||
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
| Gains/(losses) arising on: | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Revaluation of | |||||||
| investments | 287,666 | 46,829 | 334,495 | 35,411 | 16,904 | 52,315 |
15 Taxation
The company is a registered charity and is exempt from corporation tax on its income and capital gains.
- 23 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 16 | Tangible fixed assets | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold land | Computer and |
Library books | Total | ||
| and buildings | office | ||||
| equipment | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cost | |||||
| At 1 January 2025 | 308,691 | 48,796 | 5,000 | 362,487 | |
| Additions | - | 3,775 | - | 3,775 | |
| At 31 December 2025 | 308,691 | 52,571 | 5,000 | 366,262 | |
| Depreciation and impairment | |||||
| At 1 January 2025 | 12,612 | 43,454 | - | 56,066 | |
| Depreciation charged in the year | 573 | 2,995 | - | 3,568 | |
| At 31 December 2025 | 13,185 | 46,449 | - | 59,634 | |
| Carrying amount | |||||
| At 31 December 2025 | 295,506 | 6,122 | 5,000 | 306,628 | |
| At 31 December 2024 | 296,079 | 5,342 | 5,000 | 306,421 | |
| 17 | Fixed asset investments | ||||
| Unlisted | |||||
| investments | |||||
| £ | |||||
| Cost or valuation | |||||
| At 1 January 2025 | 1,718,836 | ||||
| Additions | 808,578 | ||||
| Valuation changes | 334,495 | ||||
| Disposals | (1,060,315) | ||||
| At 31 December 2025 | 1,801,594 | ||||
| Carrying amount | |||||
| At 31 December 2025 | 1,801,594 | ||||
| At 31 December 2024 | 1,718,836 | ||||
| 18 | Stocks | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Raw materials and consumables | 3,656 | 4,261 |
- 24 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
19 Debtors
| Amounts falling due within one year: Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2025 £ 38,027 4,200 15,476 57,703 |
2024 £ 26,107 7,485 12,209 |
|---|---|---|
| 45,801 |
20 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Notes Other taxation and social security Deferred income 21 Trade creditors Accruals |
2025 £ 37,989 61,049 4,751 8,000 111,789 |
2024 £ 6,730 50,714 13,619 8,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 79,063 |
21 Deferred income
Deferred income is included in the financial statements for annual membership subscriptions purchased in advance and income for courses and events taking place in 2026.
| Deferred income is included within: Current liabilities Movements in the year: Deferred income at 1 January 2025 Released from previous periods Resources deferred in the year Deferred income at 31 December 2025 22 Retirement benefit schemes Defined contribution schemes Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes |
2025 £ 61,049 50,714 (50,714) 61,049 61,049 2025 £ 6,477 |
2024 £ 50,714 |
|---|---|---|
| 41,285 (41,285 50,714 |
||
| 50,714 | ||
| 2024 £ 5,827 |
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
- 25 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
23 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
| At 1 Duke of Cornwall Fund Leslie Astle Fund NDG James Fund Spencer Bursary Fund Teaching Trees Fund Randle Travel Fund Viking Fund Future Foresters Fund Wise About Woods Funds Action Oak Fund Previous year: At 1 Duke of Cornwall Fund Leslie Astle Fund NDG James Fund Spencer Bursary Fund Teaching Trees Fund Randle Travel Fund Viking Fund Future Foresters Fund Wise About Woods Funds |
January 2025 Incoming resources Resources expended Gains and losses At 31 December 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 34,560 12,253 (9,890) 13,379 50,302 29,708 645 (727) 3,345 32,971 48,646 1,201 (3,288) 6,690 53,249 21,808 - (1,022) - 20,786 56,359 53,485 (41,696) - 68,148 48,198 1,355 (1,248) 10,035 58,340 78,643 2,081 (2,117) 13,380 91,987 347,651 330,375 (198,619) - 479,407 49,033 27,208 (18,519) - 57,722 - 39,024 (28,042) - 10,982 714,606 467,627 (305,168) 46,829 923,894 January 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended Gains and losses At 31 December 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 27,742 11,833 (9,513) 4,498 34,560 28,156 713 (690) 1,529 29,708 44,757 1,278 (131) 2,742 48,646 22,139 - (331) - 21,808 70,800 56,792 (71,233) - 56,359 44,946 1,497 (1,454) 3,209 48,198 74,253 2,298 (2,834) 4,926 78,643 271,617 305,878 (229,844) - 347,651 40,150 29,878 (20,995) - 49,033 624,560 410,167 (337,025) 16,904 714,606 |
|---|---|
- 26 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
23 Restricted funds
(Continued)
Duke of Cornwall fund
The income from this fund supports the Duke of Cornwall Award as part of the RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards.
Leslie Astle fund
A donation made by Leslie Astle the income from which contributes to drinks at the RFS annual dinner and other member functions.
NDG James fund
A donation made by the James family in memory of NDG James. The income and accumulated capital of this fund supports the organisation of an RFS conference or lecture.
Spencer bursary fund
A donation made by Anthony Spencer to establish a fund for RFS student members to attend the annual conference or Whole Society Meeting.
Teaching trees fund
A fund established to support the RFS Teaching Trees programme.
Randle travel fund
A donation made by the Donald Randle Trust to fund bursaries for RFS members to undertake overseas travel to study any aspect of forestry.
Viking fund
A legacy received from the estate of Sheila Jorgensen for the purpose of awarding bursaries administered by the Yorkshire Division for forestry related study and travel.
Future foresters fund
A fund established to support the RFS Future Foresters programme.
Wise about Woods fund
A fund established to support the RFS Wise about Woods programme.
Action Oak
Action Oak is an initiative comprised of public and private partners, committed to the health of oak trees.
- 27 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
24 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At Divisions Fund Education Fund Hay Barns Fund Battram Fund Hockeridge Fund Leighton Fund General funds Previous year: At Divisions Fund Education Fund Hay Barns Fund Battram Fund Hockeridge Fund Leighton Fund General funds |
1 January 2025 Incoming resources Resources expended Gains and losses At 31 December 2025 £ £ £ £ £ 62,168 - - - 62,168 660,600 168,487 (233,523) - 595,564 400,000 - - - 400,000 7,412 - (6,033) - 1,379 93,350 93 (19,530) - 73,913 222,149 3,110 (3,018) 20,069 242,310 88,667 364,501 (399,484) 267,597 321,281 1,534,346 536,191 (661,588) 287,666 1,696,615 1 January 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended Gains and losses At 31 December 2024 £ £ £ £ £ 62,168 - - - 62,168 727,984 84,352 (151,736) - 660,600 400,000 - - - 400,000 16,587 - (9,175) - 7,412 98,780 110 (5,540) - 93,350 221,840 3,585 (3,276) - 222,149 94,438 419,230 (460,412) 35,411 88,667 1,621,797 507,277 (630,139) 35,411 1,534,346 |
|---|---|
Divisions fund
A designated fund representing the funds of the 20 RFS Divisions to support the work of the Society in the Divisions and managed by the elected Divisional officers.
Education fund
It was decided that the Pancake, Banner and Bernard Cox fund were amalgamated into one. All unrestricted donations and legacies will be designated to the Education fund.
Hay Barns fund
A fund established following the disposal of the freehold in the RFS Tring property designated by the Trustees to fund rent, rates and service charges at the RFS Hay Barns office.
- 28 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
24 Unrestricted funds
(Continued)
Battram fund
A fund representing the value of the land, income and expenditure at RFS Battram Wood.
Hockeridge fund
A fund representing the value of the land, income and expenditure at RFS Hockeridge and Pancake Wood.
Leighton fund
A fund representing the value of the land, income and expenditure of the Charles Ackers Redwood Grove and Naylor Pinetum.
25 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2025 £ £ At 31 December 2025: Tangible assets 306,628 - Investments 1,567,387 234,207 Current assets/(liabilities) (177,400) 689,687 1,696,615 923,894 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ At 31 December 2024: Tangible assets 306,421 - Investments 1,494,725 224,111 Current assets/(liabilities) (266,800) 490,495 1,534,346 714,606 |
Total 2025 £ 306,628 1,801,594 512,287 |
|---|---|
| 2,620,509 | |
| Total 2024 £ 306,421 1,718,836 223,695 |
|
| 2,248,952 |
26 Members' liability
Each member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £10 for the debts and liabilities contracted before he or she ceases to be a member.
- 29 -
Docusign Envelope ID: CFB567F2-77ED-4E19-8804-BE45CBD8CBBF
THE ROYAL FORESTRY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
27 Operating lease commitments
Lessee
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
| Within one year Between two and five years |
2025 £ 30,177 70,942 101,119 |
2024 £ 30,177 101,120 |
|---|---|---|
| 131,297 |
28 Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024- none), other than the expenses in note 12.
| 29 Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations 2025 £ Surplus for the year 371,557 Adjustments for: Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities (59,132) Fair value gains and losses on investments (334,495) Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets 3,568 Movements in working capital: Decrease in stocks 605 (Increase)/decrease in debtors (11,902) Increase in creditors 22,391 Increase in deferred income 10,335 Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations 2,927 |
2024 £ 2,595 (62,859) (52,315) 4,281 - 28,085 5,708 9,429 |
|---|---|
| (65,076) |
30 Analysis of changes in net funds
The charity had no material debt during the year.
- 30 -