REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 313561
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FOR
AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Chariot House Limited Chartered Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA
AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 13
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 14
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The object of the Association is to advance African studies, particularly in the United Kingdom, by providing facilities for the interchange of information and ideas and the co-ordination of activities by and between persons and institutions concerned with the study of Africa.
Public benefit
In shaping our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the Trustees have given consideration to the duties set out in Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit. In particular, the Trustees have considered how the planned activities will contribute to the overall aims and objectives that they have set.
The Trustees believe that the following paragraphs relate in detail to the benefit that the Charity provides to the public.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The Trustees are planning the 2026 conference. The theme of the 2026 conference will be "Narrative, Power and the Making of African Worlds", and it will be held at Durham University in September 2026.
Members of the ASAUK took part in the British Academy funded International Writing Workshops, which aim to address the imbalances in global publishing patterns.
The writing workshops remain, alongside the conference, the most important work in which ASAUK members are involved. Through the workshops and in collaboration with journals and our Africa-based peer associations, the ASAUK makes a significant contribution to changing publishing patterns that disadvantage Africa-based and early career scholars.
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The reserves policy is to maintain an operational reserve equivalent to at least 1 year's non-conference unrestricted expenditure plus a £50,000 contingency for any unforeseen deficit arising on the biennial conference. At 31 December 2024 this amounts to about £90,000. The accumulated unrestricted funds at that date were £179,335. The Trustees will review how the excess of funds above the level of reserves determined by the charity's policy may be best utilised in accordance with its charitable objects, and in particular with regard to the new financial and other challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Going concern
The Trustees are of the opinion that the assets and reserves of the Society, in the light of its committed income, expenditures and cash flows, are adequate to support its on-going charitable activities and obligations.
Investment powers, Policy and Performance
The Association funds are invested with COIF Charity Funds, administered by CCLA Investment Management Limited. The Trustees are satisfied with the performance of the funds yet will allow changes to a different COIF fund in response to the very low interest rates offered.
Grant making Policy
The Association is not a grant making body but does sometimes make donations to charities with similar aims to its own. It also awards annual prizes to individuals in accordance with its aims.
Governance and Internal Control
The Trustees continue to review major risks and implement policies designed to reduce their possibility and impact.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Organisational structure
The Association is controlled by an elected council comprising Officers (the President, the Vice-President, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, the Projects Officers and the Newsletter Editor), 21 Ordinary Members and not more than 8 Co-opted Members.
Related parties
The Association continues to work with the Royal African Society (RAS), the British Academy and the Society for Collection of Library Materials on Africa (SCOLMA).
Risk management
The principal risk faced by the Charity is its ability to secure adequate income to fund its charitable activities. ASAUK are exploring alternative income streams to make the Association more sustainable in the future but the conference remains the main source of income. The Trustees believe there are sufficient accumulated reserves and funds available to enable them to continue a meaningful programme of charitable activities in the next 2-3 years and in the long term.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
313561
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Principal address
10 Thornhaugh Street London WC1H 0XG
Trustees
Louisa Egbunike - Appointed President 31.08.24, Elected member since 07.09.16 Adriaan van Klinken - Appointed Vice President 31.08.24, Elected Member since 16.10.19 Simon Heap - Appointed Newsletter Editor since 06.09.12 Poppy Cullen - Appointed Website Officer 23.10.17. Elected member since 15.12.16 Carli Coetzee - Appointed Honorary Secretary 31.08.24, Elected Project Officer since 01.01.17
Sharifah Sekalala - Elected Member since 07.09.16 Ruth Bush - Elected member since Ini Dele-Adedeji - Elected member since 23.10.17 (retired 31.08.24) Sara Dorman - Elected Member since 30.08.22 Lindiwe Dovey - Elected member since 13.09.18 (retired 31.08.24) Kadija George Sesay - Elected member since 07.10.21 Jonathan Fisher - Elected member since 13.09.18 Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood - Elected member since 07.10.21 Jose Lingna Nafafe - Elected member since 04.10.23 Sidonia Lucia Kula - Elected member since 04.10.23 Patricia Kingori - Elected member since 07.10.2 (retired 31.08.24) Stephanie Kitchen - Co-opted member since 18.09.10 Simeon Koroma - Elected member since 04.10.23 Carmen McCain - Elected member since 04.10.23 Lucy McCann - Co-opted member since 09.09.14 Simon Manda - Elected member since 07.10.21 Ambreena Manji - Elected member since 04.10.23 Helene Neveu Kringelbach - Elected member since 13.09.18 (retired 31.08.24) Nici Nelson - Co-opted member since 15.01.20 Katharina Oke - Elected member since 13.09.18 (retired 31.08.24) Sarah Ozo-Irabor - Elected member since 07.10.21 Nathan Richards - Elected member since 13.09.18 (retired 31.08.24) Kate Skinner - Elected member since 04.10.23 Ricardo Soares de Oliveira - Co-opted member since 24.05.19 Nick Westcott - Elected member since 04.10.23 Brendon Nicholls - Elected member since 31.08.24 J C Niala - Elected member since 31.08.24 Gabrielle Lynch - Elected member since 31.08.24 Janet Remmington - Elected member since 31.08.24 Innocent Batsani-ncube - Elected member since 31.08.24
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner
Dr Shona F Wardrop C.A Chariot House Limited Chartered Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA
Assistant Honorary Secretary
L Orekoya
Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC Abbey House 2 Victoria Street London SW1H 0ND
CCLA COIF Charity Funds Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 8 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Dr Egbunike - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of African Studies Association of the United Kingdom
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of African Studies Association of the United Kingdom (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
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.
Dr Shona F Wardrop C.A The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Chariot House Limited Chartered Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA
8 October 2025
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 130 Charitable activities Conference Receipts 98,497 Member Subscriptions 17,758 Investment income 2 4,436 Total 120,821 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Newsletter 2,265 Conference Expenditure 46,633 Support Costs 13,667 Total 62,565 NET INCOME 58,256 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 121,079 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 179,335 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 4,007 4,007 |
2024 Total funds £ 130 98,497 17,758 4,436 120,821 2,265 46,633 13,667 62,565 58,256 125,086 183,342 |
2023 Total funds £ 35 1,712 5,235 3,636 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,618 | |||
| 1,740 - 1,862 |
|||
| 3,602 | |||
| 7,016 118,070 |
|||
| 125,086 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||||
| funds | funds | funds | funds | ||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||||
| Tangible assets | 6 | - | - | - | 1 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||||
| Debtors | 7 | - | - | - | 13,421 | ||
| Cash at bank | 186,446 | 4,007 | 190,453 | 118,875 | |||
| 186,446 | 4,007 | 190,453 | 132,296 | ||||
| CREDITORS | |||||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 8 | (7,111) | - | (7,111) | (7,211) | ||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 179,335 | 4,007 | 183,342 | 125,085 | |||
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||||||
| LIABILITIES | 179,335 | 4,007 | 183,342 | 125,086 | |||
| NET ASSETS | 179,335 | 4,007 | 183,342 | 125,086 | |||
| FUNDS | 9 | ||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 179,335 | 121,079 | |||||
| Restricted funds | 4,007 | 4,007 | |||||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 183,342 | 125,086 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 8 October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Dr Egbunike - Trustee
Dr Adriaan van Klinken - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and on that basis the charity is considered to be a going concern.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the entity, and are rounded to the nearest £1.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
- Fixtures and fittings - 33% on cost
Taxation
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK Corporation Tax purposes. Accordingly the Charity is exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Funds
The Charity has various types of funds for which it is responsible:
Unrestricted Funds - these funds are for use on the general charitable objectives of the Charity.
Designated Funds - these finds are unrestricted funds of the charity which have been set aside by the Trustees to fund particular future activities.
Restricted Funds - these funds are for specific purposes as laid down by the donor - expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund together with a fair proportion of management and support costs.
continued...
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the charity is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying value 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 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, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both the current and future periods.
There are no estimates and assumptions that are considered to have a significant risk of causing a material adjustments to the financial statements in a future period.
Financial instruments
The charity has only financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and are subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial Assets
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts due.
Financial Liabilities
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Interest receivable | 4,436 | 3,636 |
continued...
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Trustees' expenses
During the year ended 31st December 2024, there was no trustee's reimbursement (2023: £33).
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted funds £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 35 Charitable activities Conference Receipts 1,712 Member Subscriptions 5,235 Investment income 3,636 Total 10,618 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Newsletter 1,740 Support Costs 1,862 Total 3,602 NET INCOME 7,016 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 114,063 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 121,079 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - 4,007 4,007 |
Total funds £ 35 1,712 5,235 3,636 |
|---|---|---|
| 10,618 | ||
| 1,740 1,862 |
||
| 3,602 | ||
| 7,016 118,070 |
||
| 125,086 |
continued...
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 5. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S FEE The Independent Examiner's fee in 2024 amounted to £1,224 (2023: £1,182 ). 6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2024 Charge for year At 31 December 2024 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Prepayments and accrued income 8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Other creditors |
2024 £ - 2024 £ 7,111 |
Fixtures and fittings £ 844 843 1 844 - 1 2023 £ 13,421 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 7,211 |
continued...
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Writing Workshop TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Writing Workshop TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1/1/24 £ 121,079 4,007 125,086 Incoming resources £ 120,821 120,821 At 1/1/23 £ 114,063 4,007 118,070 |
Net movement At in funds 31/12/24 £ £ 58,256 179,335 - 4,007 58,256 183,342 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (62,565) 58,256 (62,565) 58,256 Net movement At in funds 31/12/23 £ £ 7,016 121,079 - 4,007 7,016 125,086 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 10,618 | (3,602) | 7,016 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 10,618 | (3,602) | 7,016 |
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Following a recruitment process, a Trustee was appointed as the conference convenor/curator. His appointment was approved and minuted by the Trustees.
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AFRICAN STUDIES ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donated services and facilities Investment income Interest receivable Charitable activities Conference Receipts Member Subscriptions Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Newsletter Conference Expenditure Partnerships Support costs Management Support Costs Travel & Meeting Expenses Total resources expended Net income |
2024 £ 130 4,436 98,497 17,758 116,255 120,821 2,265 46,633 - 48,898 13,667 - 13,667 62,565 58,256 |
2023 £ 35 3,636 1,712 5,235 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,947 | ||
| 10,618 1,740 - 100 |
||
| 1,840 1,729 33 |
||
| 1,762 | ||
| 3,602 | ||
| 7,016 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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