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2025-03-31-accounts

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Association of the Friends of Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

2025 AGM Papers

Trustees’ Annual Report Independent Examiner's Report Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Charity Number: 528895

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

CONTENTS

Page
Agenda for the Ninety-third Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Birmingham Museums 4
& Art Gallery
Minutes of the Ninety-second Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Birmingham 5
Museums & Art Gallery
Trustees’ Annual Report for the 2025 AGM: 8
Reference and Administrative Information of the Charity for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 8
Trustees’ Annual Report for the 2025 AGM 9
Independent Examiner's Report 14
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025:
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance Sheet 16
Notes to the Financial Statements 17

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

Friends of Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery, c/o The Birmingham & Midland Institute,

9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS E-mail: fbmagmembership@gmail.com Charity Reg. No. 528895

93rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 11am

in the Sir Arthur Sullivan Hall at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS AGENDA

1. Welcome

2. Apologies

3. Minutes of the previous AGM – 10 September 2024 – draft minutes, attached, to be approved.

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes.

5. Chair’s Report

6. Committee Appointments – Confirmation of new Trustees and renewals.

7. Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2025, attached, to be presented. Resolution: “That the Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2025 be received.”

8. Annual Accounts – The Chair to present and move the adoption of the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025.

Resolution: “That the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025 be adopted.”

9. Appointment of Examiners – The Deputy Chair to propose the appointment of the Examiners for the forthcoming year.

10. Report – Senior Representative of Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT) to present their report.

11. Proposed change to the Friends’ Constitution: Birmingham City Councillors attendance at Friends Trustees Meetings

Birmingham City Council paid £2000 to the Friends for the Friends to perform a function for the Council some forty years ago. Subsequently the Friends permitted the Council to appoint two councillors to be present at the Trustees meetings. The committee discussed if their attendance was appropriate any longer, bearing in mind that this could have an additional cost to the Council which had to issue a Section 114 notice last year and make considerable cutbacks across services. The committee decided unanimously that it was not necessary to have councillors attending our meetings. These changes to our Constitution remove the ability.

The Constitution to be updated as follows: 10 Administration (4) Replace the text “Birmingham City Council may appoint two persons to attend all committee meetings of the Association (or substitutes for them similarly appointed)”. with “………………….”

12. Any Other Business & Close

[Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available prior to the meeting from 10.15am. After the AGM Dr Rebecca Unsworth, Curator of Decorative Art at Birmingham Museums Trust, will be giving an intriguing insight into her work and the BMT collection.]

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES' REPORT

MINUTES OF THE NINETY-SECOND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS & ART GALLERY

Held at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS On Tuesday 10 September 2024, commencing at 11am

Present

Peter Miles (Chair), Bill Lane, Jane Howell, Jim Wells, Peter Baker, Judith Hurst, Pat Leadbeter, Richard Moxon (Trustees)

Lynda Perrin (Friends’ Bookkeeper) Sarah Farnan (Friends' Membership Secretary) Nick Burrows (Harwoods Chartered Accountants, the Friends' Independent Examiner) Rowena Dean, Birmingham Museums Trust (BMT)’s Director of Development

And 48 other Members

1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the 92nd Annual General Meeting. He extended a particular welcome to Melissa Hughes who had been able to join the pre-meeting together with her new son, Aidan. He mentioned meeting in this new room – easier access.

He announced that the Friends were the joint winners of the British Association of Friends of Museums’ (BAFM) Friends of the Year Award 2024. He mentioned it was due to the hard work of the committee and the continued support of the membership.

2. Apologies

Rosalind McCarthy (Trustee) Stephen Hartland (Trustee)

16 apologies were noted earlier and 3 were given in the room.

3. Minutes of the previous AGM held on Tuesday 13 September 2022

These had been circulated to all members as an insert with ‘Artefacts’.

There were no objections. Proposed: Richard Moxon; Seconded: John Hatch. All in favour.

CARRIED

The Minutes were unanimously accepted as an accurate record of the meeting.

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes None.

5. Chair’s Report

I am always surprised how quickly the AGM comes around and this very short report gives you an idea what has been happening.

The office has moved from Soho House due to the ongoing drainage problems. You may remember the Museum closed due to this large plumbing problem which hopefully now seems to be resolving itself. Once again a big thank you to Birmingham Museums Trust for letting us use that space. But we have now moved to Aston Hall and have settled in nicely.

Melissa Hughes, our Administrator, is on maternity leave so her tasks have been distributed amongst the committee, Sarah Farnan and Lynda Perrin.

During Melissa’s maternity leave ‘Artefacts’ is now being put together by Paul Blyth of PB&J Publishing, Artefacts’ Publishers.

Whilst not strictly in the year under review, as I mentioned earlier, we are joint winners of BAFM’s Friends of the Year 2024. I am off to the presentation at the beginning of October so will wave the flag for our Friends association.

You will have noticed the dramatic increase in events and I pay tribute to the events committee for their dedication in providing a large and varied programme.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Like Sleeping Beauty the gallery is beginning to awaken. The excellent ‘Victorian Radicals’ is still drawing in attendees and I know Rowena will be talking about the next phase of reopening

Membership is beginning to grow and if you know anyone who would like to join then please encourage them to do so.

The Friends need Friends.

6. Committee Appointments – Confirmation of new Trustees. The Chair proposed that the meeting approve Sally Arkley as a Trustee of FBMAG. Proposed: Peter Miles; Seconded: Bill Lane. All in favour.

CARRIED

7. Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2024 The Chair presented the report and asked for any questions.

Proposed: That the Annual Report which had been circulated to all Members be accepted. Proposed: Richard Moxon; Seconded: John Black. All in favour.

CARRIED

8. Annual Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024

The Chair presented the Annual Accounts, asking that any questions be addressed to Nick Burrows, the Independent Examiner. He thanked Brewin Dolphin for their excellent management of the Friends’ investment portfolio. He also thanked them for generously allowing the Trustees to meet at their offices and for providing them with lunch. The Chair informed the meeting that the Friends would be donating £30,000 towards the reopening of the Art Gallery in the coming financial year, with a further donation of £4,000 towards the costs of the ‘Victorian Radicals’ exhibition.

Proposed: That the Statement of Account for the year ended 31 March 2024 be adopted. Proposed: Richard Moxon; Seconded: Bill Lane. All in favour. CARRIED

9. Appointment of Examiners

The Deputy Chair, Bill Lane, proposed: That the Committee appoint appropriately qualified Independent Examiners for the forthcoming Financial Year 2024-2025 . Proposed: Richard Moxon; Seconded: Peter Miles. All in favour.

CARRIED

10. Report from Birmingham Museums Trust

Rowena Dean, Director of Development, opened her report by reflecting on her first ten months in the role. She joined BMT at a challenging time its history, and as the City Council was forced to make urgent cuts, which severely impacted plans to complete the refurbishment and future opening of the Museum and Art Gallery.

She thanked FBMAG for its meaningful and powerful support in contributing £30,000 towards a gradual reopening of the galleries and a further contribution of £4,000 to support the ‘Victorian Radicals’ exhibition which would open on 24th October 2024, following a Private View, to which Friends were invited.

She explained that the future would be particularly challenging for funding and that much of the following months would be devoted to in-depth business planning by BMT’s staff.

In order to best reflect the diverse population of Birmingham, BMT is commissioning a Citizens’ Jury of a representative selection of the community to help shape the future of our museums. BMAG is the first Arts organisation in the UK to do so and is to be funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

She reassured the meeting that, despite recent negative press comments, there is much to hope for and much of which we can still all be proud.

The Chair then invited questions and comments from the Meeting.

John Hatch believed that residents would strongly oppose any attempt to sell Museum treasures which mean so much to Birmingham. He suggested a tour of the Museum Store, possibly organised by the Friends. He also suggested the possibility of ‘pop-up' exhibitions, and other initiatives such as sending objects to other buildings. Rowena Dean reported that the Trust was examining such possibilities.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Jim Wells expressed great satisfaction that The Waterhall would again host such excellent exhibitions as the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ and hoped that The Gas Hall would continue to be used for exhibitions following the much-anticipated ‘Victorian Radicals’.

John Hatch suggested that BMT consider an exhibition of the works of John Salt.

Members then asked for more details on The Citizens’ Jury. Rowena Dean responded that there would be 26 members who would be chosen independently by standardised selection criteria, including, for example, accommodation (rental or ownership) and education status. This would be to challenge a bias of data towards people with a higher formal education. Members could find further information on the BMAG website.

Jane Howell, Trustee commented that there had been a level of information-collection bias towards the higher educated visitor which meant a lesser understanding of the interests and perceptions of other visitors.

There being no further questions or comments, the Chair thanked Rowena for her interesting and encouraging presentation.

11. Any Other Business & Close

There being no other business the Chair made his closing remarks. He thanked Melissa Hughes for attending and looked forward to her return. He also thanked Sarah Farnan and Lynda Perrin. He also thanked the Deputy Chair, Bill Lane, and fellow Trustees. Finally, he reminded members that Gallery Tea Rooms was now open and encouraged all to visit.

John Bragg proposed a Vote of Thanks to The Chair.

The Chair thanked everyone for attending.

There being no further business the Chair declared the Meeting closed at 12.20.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

Trustees’ Annual Report for the 2025 AGM

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION OF THE CHARITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025

Trustees

The Trustees held a total of five Committee meetings and the AGM between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. Attendance at these events is shown in brackets.

Sally Arkley (6/6) Peter Baker (6/6) Stephen Hartland (3/6) Jane Howell (5/6) Judith Hurst (6/6) Bill Lane (6/6) Deputy Chair Pat Leadbeter (6/6) Rosalind McCarthy (5/6) Peter Miles (6/6) Chair Richard Moxon (5/6) Tim Tolkien (1/6) Jim Wells (6/6) In attendance Birmingham Museums Trust's Representative (5/6) Councillor Kath Hartley (2/6) Council nominee Councillor Darius Sandhu (2/6) Council nominee

Charity registration number 528895

Principal office

Friends of Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery North Lodge Aston Hall Trinity Road Birmingham B6 6JD

Independent Examiner

JW Hinks LLP Chartered Accountants 19 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3BH

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025. Reference and administrative information set out on this page forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s Constitution, and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

a. Principal Objective

The principal object of the charity, as declared in its current Constitution, approved in 2022, is “to support and assist the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery and to promote their use and enjoyment by the public. In furtherance of the above-. . . . to provide money, by receipt of subscriptions, gifts, bequests or otherwise and by sale of artistic works or other trading activities such money to be applied either directly or after accumulation or investment.”

In making its annual review of the aims, objectives and activities, the Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit. In particular, the Trustees have considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set.

b. Contributions and Acquisitions to Birmingham Museums Trust

During the year 2024-2025, the Friends contributed £6,422 to BMT’s Heritage Apprentice who featured in an article in the Spring 2025 edition of ‘Artefacts’. He is making a great contribution to the work at Thinktank and progressing very well with his apprenticeship training at a local training provider.

c. Membership

At the end of March 2025, our total number of Members was 566, 11 more than in March 2024 when we had 555 Members – an increase of 1.95%. Although there are significantly fewer members than in 2018, this is the first year since then that our membership rates have shown a year-on-year increase! This increase in new memberships has been typical of a continuing trend across the last twelve months. This is especially encouraging as, at the end of March 2024, we had a decrease in membership of 1.6%, and a 7.8% decline in membership in the twelve months prior to that.

The number of leavers across the year in 2024-2025 was 32, compared to 53 leavers during 2023-2024 and 72 in 2021-2022, a decrease in the amount of leavers of 39.6%. Members from whom we received no response to renewal reminders accounted for 14 leavers (43.7%).

Once again, we have had a huge rise in new Members this year. The number of new members from April 2024 to March 2025 was 55, compared to last year's figure of 44 (which had doubled on the previous year). So, in summary, we have seen an increase in membership of 36% over the last two years.

This is fantastic news for the Friends and means that we continue to be in a much stronger position going into this year. Once again, the rate of new memberships being taken up has increased substantially and the number of leavers slowed. The wider distribution of ‘Artefacts’ and the gradual reopening of the main museum has sustained the rise in interest and membership over the last twelve months and, at present, this is continuing. It is interesting to note that most of our new memberships have come from people picking up copies of ‘Artefacts’ in libraries, which shows that the initiative behind the further distribution has been very beneficial to us.

d. Social Events

In the twelve months to the 31st March 2025 the Friends' Events Sub-committee are pleased to report a wide range of popular and successful talks, visits and socials.

New this year was the winter lunchtime get-together and meal at Chapters restaurant in Edgbaston village. This followed on from the December social at Aston Hall at which Dr. Kate Round gave another fascinating talk on the magic of Stourbridge glass.

There have also been absorbing talks given on diverse subjects such as "Criminal Forensics Procedures"

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

(at the West Midlands Police Museum), still life painting (under the title of "Anxious Apples" at Think Tank) and a fascinating account by Henrietta Lockhart of "Curatorial Detective Stories" given to close the 2024 AGM.

Besides opportunities for members to enjoy special exclusive tours of the "Victorian Radicals" exhibition with Jane Howell there was also a chance to go behind the scenes with a tour at the BMT Museum Collections Centre.

Other visits included an outing to Selly Manor Museum which featured the "Black Tudors" exhibition as well as a look at some Bournville architectural highlights. A fascinating guided tour of the less well-known Moor Pool estate in Harborne was also enjoyed.

A visit to the Ikon was arranged to coincide with this art gallery being selected as the West Midlands venue for the National Gallery "Treasures on Loan" celebration.

Another remarkable behind the scenes tour took place at the Birmingham Rep and it was also pleasing to arrange tours at buildings of diverse religious significance with visits to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick and the Oscott Seminary.

e. Friends Magazine

During 2024-2025, we have enjoyed continuing to work alongside Paul Blythe and Jess Ronan at PB&J Publishing to produce 'Artefacts'. Paul Blythe has been performing the role of Editor since June 2024.

‘Artefacts’ continues to be a major part of the cultural scene in Birmingham and the wider region, with its combination of voluntary and professional contributions covering an extensive range of topics. It also is key to promoting the events programme which generates income for the organisation.

f. Priorities for the Year 2024-2025 – and how were these achieved?

The Committee acknowledge the current and forthcoming challenges to funding for BMT given BCC’s financial crisis and the pressures which BMT’s funding is under. The Friends are determined to work closely alongside BMT, to support them to become increasingly independent as other external financial support becomes increasingly difficult for them to access.

The Committee recognise the importance of developing the Friends’ Membership offer, raising awareness of the Friends and enabling the organisation to strengthen and develop.

1. Continuing to work with BMT to support the gradual reopening of BMAG and to understand their future plans in order that the Friends can anticipate the different types of support which might be required.

Over the last twelve months we have had positive and productive discussions with the Director of Development at BMT over their plans for the increased opening of galleries at BMAG for new and permanent exhibitions. The ‘Victorian Radicals’ exhibition which closed at Christmas 2024, to which the Friends made a significant contribution, was an outstanding success with record visitor numbers. BMT staff are to be congratulated on a landmark exhibition in difficult circumstances. With the opening on 24th October 2024 of the Round Room, Industrial Gallery and Tea Room we finally felt our Museum and Art Gallery was on the way back! The Friends, working closely with Toby Watley, Director of Collections, were able to support this development with a donation of £30,000 which assisted as seed funding to attract larger donors.

2. Continuing to work with BMT to support the Historic Properties and Thinktank, Birmingham’s Science Museum.

We continue to advertise and promote all the venues and their activities in ‘Artefacts’ with features on specific sites. We have had visits to Aston Hall for our Christmas social and to the Museum Collection Centre where we were made very welcome. The apprentice in Heritage Engineering at Thinktank is supported financially by the Friends and has been a great success. He recently featured in a profile of his work in ‘Artefacts’.

3. Recruiting an Honorary Treasurer.

Like many voluntary organisations we continue to struggle to fill this position on the Committee but we will be making renewed efforts in the coming period. Due to the combined work of the Chair and the excellent contribution of Lynda Perrin as the Friends’ bookkeeper the organisation has met its obligations.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4. Continuing to develop the Friends’ online presence in scale and quality. We continue to maintain our online presence but will be reviewing matters in light of staff changes.

5. Seeking new ways to raise awareness of the Friends, reach new audiences and increase the Friends Membership.

We have started to reverse the decline in membership with new members joining every month which demonstrates that we are a healthy organisation that is attractive to a range of people. We continue to be one of the largest ‘Friends of’ organisations in terms of membership in the City and the revival by BMT of BMAG in particular has greatly assisted our growth.

6. Continuing to develop the Friends’ Events programme.

The events programme has gone from strength to strength with the events sub-committee meeting regularly to develop the programme, liaise with venues and act as hosts on the day. This would not be possible without the administrative support from Sarah Farnan in the office, dealing with bookings as they come in. We have continued to work on the principle of venues with good public transport access and with concessionary travel available to members who are eligible. This policy keeps costs down for attendees and supports an environmentally friendly policy.

7. Developing volunteer support to provide further support across the organisation and within BMAG as it gradually reopens.

Post pandemic it has been a developing process to build up a solid body of volunteers. We now have a full complement of Trustees which was not the case pre pandemic and this reflects the strength of the organisation. Volunteers are key to producing content for ‘Artefacts’, from crosswords to features and most significantly the events programme. The Committee is always keen to recruit volunteers; it is not a requirement to be a Trustee and there are lots of aspects of the organisation that volunteers can find a rewarding role in.

8. Identify ways to increase revenue to support the running of the Friends.

The events programme continues to expand and provides an increasing surplus after costs are taken into account. We have taken the initiative of asking members to consider leaving a gift to the Friends in their will with an article in each edition of ‘Artefacts’ with an illustration of an item bought by the Friends since its formation in 1931. Income from our investments is kept under close review with regular briefings and advice from our partners Brewin Dolphin .

9. Identify and develop relationships with organisations who might be willing to provide special offers and discounts to the Friends in order to improve the Membership offer. 

  - _We have developed a strong partnership with the Birmingham and Midland Institute which gives us access to their excellent facilities in what is one of Birmingham’s historic buildings. We were able to secure a reduction of ten percent for members to the virtual Van Gogh exhibition at the NEC and we continue to work with the RBSA, Stourbridge Glass, MAC, Ikon and others through our production of ‘Artefacts’ with PB&J Publishing._

The Committee acknowledge the current and forthcoming challenges to funding for BMT given BCC’s financial crisis and the pressures which BMT’s funding is under. The Friends are determined to work closely alongside BMT, to support them to become increasingly independent as other external financial support becomes increasingly difficult for them to access.

The Committee recognise the importance of developing the Friends’ Membership offer, raising awareness of the Friends and enabling the organisation to strengthen and develop.

1. Continuing to work with BMT to support the gradual reopening of BMAG and to understand their future plans in order that the Friends can anticipate the different types of support which might be required.

2. Continuing to work with BMT to support the Historic Properties and Thinktank, Birmingham’s Science Museum.

3. Recruiting an Honorary Treasurer.

4. Continuing to develop the Friends’ online presence in scale and quality.

5. Seeking new ways to raise awareness of the Friends, reach new audiences and increase the Friends Membership.

6. Continuing to develop the Friends’ Events programme.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7. Developing volunteer support to provide further support across the organisation and within BMAG as it gradually reopens.

8. Identify ways to increase revenue to support the running of the Friends.

9. Identify and develop relationships with organisations who might be willing to provide special offers and discounts to the Friends in order to improve the Membership offer.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

a. Constitution

The principal object of the charity is as declared in the current Constitution of the charity, approved in 2022.

The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Committee. Its members are the Trustees of the charity and are approved by the membership under the terms of the Constitution. This also allows for additional members to be co-opted when necessary.

The officers are appointed by the Committee and approved by the meeting of members.

The Constitution of the charity provides for the Museum Director to be a member of the Committee. Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, BMT’s Joint CEOs, have delegated this role to BMT’s Director of Development, Rowena Dean or one of her representatives. Furthermore, Birmingham City Council is entitled to appoint two Councillors to the Committee. The current Councillors attend our meetings regularly. The Museum’s Joint CEOs and the Birmingham City Councillors are non-voting members of the Committee.

There were two vacancies on the Committee due to two of the Committee members having served a term of six years and being nominated for election for a second term. All the existing Committee members have participated enthusiastically over the year, and we are very grateful for their contributions. The Committee held five Committee meetings during the year. Individual members have collaborated in specific projects and Sub-Committees outside of the official meetings, enabling the formal meetings to be effective.

The Trustees must be members of the charity. They have no beneficial interest in the charity. All Trustees and volunteers give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

c. Organisational Structure and Decision Making

The Association was established in 1931 and is constituted under a Charity Commission Scheme dated 22 May 1969 and is a registered charity, number 528895. It is regulated by its Constitution approved by the Annual General Meeting, 13 September 2022.

d. Risk Management

The Committee has assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to its operations and finances. We are satisfied that the procedures for managing our finances are sound.

e. Office and Administration

We are very grateful to Lynda Perrin, our Bookkeeper, for all her dedication and hard work keeping the Friends’ accounts in order, as well as her assistance in many other aspects of the Friends. Sarah Farnan, our Membership Secretary, continues to be an asset to the Friends with all her enthusiasm and hard work. Paul Blythe from PB&J Publishing has been working as Editor of the Friends’ quarterly magazine, ‘Artefacts’, since Melissa Hughes left to go on maternity leave in May 2024. We would like to thank Lynda, Sarah and Paul for all their hard work and professionalism.

f. Trustees' Responsibilities Statement

The Trustees 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).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Committee confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Accounting and reporting by Charities’ - SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

The Reserves were built up in the late 1970s, mainly through the sale of works donated through the Friends and are all Unrestricted Funds, none of these or subsequent donations received being designated or restricted for a particular purpose. The major part of these Reserves has been invested on the Friends’ behalf by the Trustees giving discretion to our Investment Manager, Brewin Dolphin, within the overall Investment policy set by the Trustees, which is to limit risk while aiming for long-term growth of capital and income. There is an international spread of our investments both in equities and in fixed interest securities.

The Investment Sub-Committee has met once this year. A comprehensive review was undertaken and it was decided to update the Friends’ Investment Policy.

The Trustees annual report has been approved by the Trustees on 9 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

…………………………………………… ……………………………………………. Peter Miles, Chair William Lane, Deputy Chair

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Friends of Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

JW HINKS LLP

Chartered Accountants 19 Highfield Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 3BH

Date: 18[th] September 2025

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
Notes £ £
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies 3 595 2,735
Charitable activities 4 16,326 12,742
Investment income 5 17,929 19,076
TOTAL INCOME 34,850 34,553
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds 6 5,393 5,484
Charitable activities 7 37,821 31,736
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 43,214 37,220
Net gains/(losses) on investments 10 (239) 40,685
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) AND MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (8,603) 38,018
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Fund balances at 1 April 2024 636,260 598,242
FUND BALANCES AT 31 MARCH 2025 627,657 636,260

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

FIXED ASSETS
Notes
Investments
12
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN
ONE YEAR
15
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted funds
16		 2025
£
3,252
34,073
37,325
(4,973)		 £
595,305
32,352
627,657
627,657
627,657		 2024
£
2,522
34,126
36,648
(8,649)		 £
608,261
27,999
636,260
636,260
636,260

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 9th September 2025.

.............................. Mr Peter Miles CHAIR

.............................. Mr William Lane DEPUTY CHAIR

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CHARITY INFORMATION

Friends of Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery is a charitable unincorporated organisation in England & Wales, which is regulated by its Constitution approved by the Annual General Meeting, 13 September 2022.

The address of the charity’s principal place of business can be found on the reference and administration page.

1.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

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, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 GOING CONCERN

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. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 CHARITABLE FUNDS

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

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.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 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.

1.6 FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.7 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.8 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments.

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.

3 INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Donations and gifts 595 2,735

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITES
Membership fees 11,643 10,481
Members events 4,683 2,261
16,326 12,742
5 INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Income from investments 17,929 19,076
6 EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
FUNDRAISING AND PUBLICITY
Investment management costs 5,393 5,484

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
DIRECT COSTS
Staff and payroll costs 9,878 18,144
Accountant fees 1,200 1,890
Printing and postage 5,017 4,389
Bank charges (95) 167
Insurance 431 930
Other costs 2,800 50
Grants to BMT 15,000 4,000
Event costs 2,460 1,353
AGM Expenses 543 533
Office costs 587 280
37,821 31,736
ANALYSIS BY FUND
Unrestricted funds 37,821 31,736

8 TRUSTEES

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

9 EMPLOYEES

The average monthly number of employees (including part-time employees) during the
year was: 2025 2024
Number Number
3 3

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

10 GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENTS

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
Gains/(losses) arising on: £ £
Revaluation of investments (239) 40,685

11 TAXATION

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12 FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

COST OR VALUATION
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Valuation changes
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
CARRYING AMOUNT
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
14
DEBTORS
AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR:
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
15
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 Unlisted
investments
£
608,261
40,263
(239)
(52,980)
595,305
595,305
608,261
2025
2024
£
£
1,820
1,688
1,432
834
3,252
2,522
2025
2024
£
£
792
421
-
4,000
4,181
4,228
4,973
8,649

16 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 1 April 2024 Incoming Resources Gains and losses Resources Gains and losses At 31 March
resources expended 2025
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 636,260 34,850 (43,214) (239) 627,657

FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS AND ART GALLERY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS (Continued)
PREVIOUS YEAR: At 1 April 2023 Incoming Resources Gains and losses At 31 March
resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 598,242 34,553 (37,220) 40,685 636,260

17 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).

Please don’t forget to book your place for the Friends 2026 Annual Lunch

Friends 2026 Annual Lunch at Chapter Restaurant, Edgbaston Date: 20th January 2026, 12noon for 12.30pm Venue: Chapter Restaurant, 5-6 Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3BE

For three courses with choices and a glass of wine the cost will be £39.

Chapter Restaurant is an award-winning venue nestled in the heart of Edgbaston village, where the focus is nature led, fiercely rooted in seasonality and committed to quality produce from the British Isles. This a special opportunity to enjoy a great restaurant with like-minded friends and hear from Jane Thompson-Webb, Conservation Officer for Birmingham Museums Trust.

Book early to ensure a place and start 2026 with a great culinary experience.

How to get there:

Five minutes walk from Edgbaston Village tram stop, variety of buses along the Harborne Road, Hagley Road and Calthorpe Road. Parking is available for pay and display nearby and disabled parking available at the rear. The restaurant is fully accessible.