Company Registration No. 01215037 (England and Wales) Registered charity number: 801026 

**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE (A not for profit company limited by guarantee)** 

## **DIRECTORS' AND TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **CHANTER, BROWNE & CURRY** 

Chartered Accountants 

1 Plato Place 72-74 St Dionis Road London SW6 4TU. 



## **THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Report of the trustees and directors|1 - 9|
|Report of the independent examiner|10|
|Statement of financial activities|11|
|Balance sheet|12|
|Notes to the financial statements|13 - 20|





**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 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) (second edition - October 2019) - (Charity SORP (FRS 102) Revised). 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

The charity's objects are to advance the education of the British public in the culture, art, science, religion, economy and contemporary history of the Arab world including by providing and maintaining a centre (hereafter referred to as "The Centre") for the dissemination of such information. 

The charity owns and maintains a six-storey property at 1 Gough Square, off Fleet Street in central London, which houses The Centre. A number of organisations having objects similar to the The Arab British Centre are housed at The Centre, and contribute towards the costs related to the office space they occupy and the facilities they use. 

The Arab British Centre has a specialised library - mainly in English - about the history, politics, arts and culture of the Arab world. The library has been compiled over many years and includes an extensive collection of Arabic fiction titles in English translation as well as essential out of print books rarely available elsewhere. The library is a public borrowing library. 

The charity organises and promotes Arab-related arts and cultural events in the UK. It hosts a regular programme of activities including Arabic language courses, Arabic calligraphy and oud music courses. The Centre houses permanent and temporary collections of contemporary art inspired by the Arab world and recognises individuals and organisations working in similar fields through its Award for Culture. In addition to the charity’s regular on-site activities, it has produced a number of one-off projects in external locations and supports other organisations through its grants programme. 

In planning its activities for the year, the charity's trustees have considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

In 2024, the Arab British Centre continued to grow its core programmes – SAFAR Film Festival and our Visual Arts programme As We Are, Might Have Been and Could Be, and added responsive events that placed particular focus on current events in Palestine, Sudan and Lebanon with Archiving Gaza in the Present conference and Gather in Solidarity fundraiser for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent. The year saw significant fundraising success, with £230,850 raised to support our programmes, and the establishment of new strategic partnerships with organisations including Comma Press, Journeys Festival International, Two Queens Gallery, New Crescent Society, the National Space Centre, and the Centre for Palestine Studies at SOAS. 

Page 1 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Achievements and Performance (continued)** 

In 2024, the Arab British Centre engaged over 6,000 people through its programmes and events, including 4,525 attendees at the SAFAR Film Festival, 707 through our Arab Britain projects (Kheit, As We Are, and People Places Traces), 300 at our Gather for Gaza solidarity evening, 250 at the Archiving Gaza in the Present conference, 213 course students, 152 participants at ABC-hosted events, and 113 at our Tatreez Forest programme. 

## _**Events at The Arab British Centre – 1 Gough Square**_ 

The Arab British Centre continued to host small-scale events throughout the year, welcoming audiences into our space for intimate, thought-provoking gatherings. 

In April, we partnered with Comma Press to present an event exploring their Futures Past series, which invites Arab authors to imagine their nations 100 years after formative historical events. The panel featured contributors from Palestine +100, Egypt +100, and Iraq +100, including Basma Ghalayini (editor, Palestine +100), Raph Cormack and Ahmed Naji (Egypt +100), Selma Dabbagh (Palestine +100), and Hassan Abdulrazzak (Iraq +100). The discussion focused on speculative fiction as a vehicle for political imagination, cultural memory, and resistance, underscoring literature’s power to envision alternative futures for the Arab world. 

## _**Partnership with the Foundation for Art and Psychoanalysis**_ 

In 2024, The Arab British Centre partnered with the Foundation for Art and Psychoanalysis (FAP) and Shubbak Festival on two events exploring art, memory, and trauma in Arab contexts. 

In April, members of the Young Shubbak collective visited Urgent Archive by Issam Kourbaj at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. The visit offered emerging creatives a chance to engage with themes of loss and cultural heritage beyond London, as part of their wider professional development programme. 

Later in the month, the Freud Museum hosted a screening of With Time: Georgette Saliba by Noir Barakat, followed by a discussion with the artist and psychoanalyst Lucia Corti. The film, commissioned by FAP, reflects on the long-term psychological impact of the 2020 Beirut Port explosion through intimate, longitudinal interviews. 

## _**SAFAR FILM FESTIVAL**_ 

SAFAR Film Festival remains the UK’s largest festival dedicated to Arab cinema, and in 2024 it ran from 18–30 June, under the theme ‘On Hopes, Dreams and Realities’. It featured over 50 films from 15 countries, including new releases, archive titles, family-friendly screenings, and special events. The programme was curated once more by Rabih Khoury with the edition of guest curators and special film strands by international partners Cinema Akil (Dubai) and Sudan Film Factory, and the SAFAR Futures young programmers. SAFAR was presented across nine UK cities (London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Oxford, and Plymouth). The SAFAR Futures Film Development workshops took place once more led by Saeed Taji Farouky. In total 4,525 attendees (up 1,509 from 2023) attendees took part in the festival through screenings, community events, development programmes and industry networking activities. SAFAR Film festival doubled its Instagram following. 

Page 2 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Achievements and Performance (continued)** 

## _**Listening In Podcast**_ 

Released in summer 2024 the Listening In podcast series, hosted by Yasmeen Soudani of SouqSounds in partnership with The Arab British Centre, featured conversations with three distinguished guests - Fatiha El-Ghorri, Phil Juma, DJ Saliah - exploring their connections to music. Each episode examined how music shapes identity, preserves heritage, and influences careers in the creative and cultural industries. Guests shared personal stories and musical preferences, reflecting on everything from inherited family traditions to motivational anthems and dancefloor staples. Through these conversations, the podcast highlighted how music fosters cultural continuity and creative expression within diasporic communities. 

## _**Separated by Millenia Commission by Sarah Al Sarraj**_ 

_**As We Are, Might Have Been, and Could Be**_ – an artist development programme supported by the Freelands Foundation – premiered its first commission, _Separated by Millennia_ , by Sarah AlSarraj at Two Queens, Leicester (11–26 October). Al-Sarraj’s work imagined a mythical tribe of temporal nomads, guardians of biodiversity travelling through time rather than space. Presented as part of Leicester’s Journeys Festival, the exhibition was accompanied by a day of public programming titled _Islamic Astronavigation and Art_ , held at the National Space Centre in partnership with the New Crescent Society. Activities included an _Astronomy and Islam: Tour of the Night Sky_ planetarium show exploring Arabic contributions to astronomy, a zine-making workshop, and an artist talk. Community groups from Leicester and the Stafford Muslim Community Centre were among those invited. 

Total audience for the exhibition and associated events in Leicester: 707. 

## _**Tatreez Forest: Stitching Palestinian Heritage**_ 

The Arab British Centre, in collaboration with the Tatreez Collective, launched The Tatreez Forest: Stitching Palestinian Heritage in autumn 2024. This project aims to create large-scale ‘Cypress trees’ wall hangings, each composed of 100 individually stitched Tatreez panels, a traditional craft of Palestine and a vibrant symbol of hope and resilience. Workshops were held at five museums across England including V&A, and the Whitworth, Manchester, and were attended by 113 people. A digital stitching guide was created in collaboration with Tatreez Collective and an open call invited participants worldwide to contribute their embroidery. 

The initiative was made possible through funding from the Barakat Trust’s Hands-on Islamic Art Grant, with additional support from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Community submissions are to be accepted until 28 March 2025 and the wall hangings will be fabricated in the summer of 2025 and plans are in development to tour the wall hangings to museums across the UK. 

## _**Gather In Solidarity: Palestine, Lebanon and Sudan**_ 

On 17 October 2024, The Arab British Centre, Arts Canteen and Shubbak delivered an evening of community, solidarity and reflection at Grand Junction, bringing together artists, audiences and vendors in support of Palestine, Sudan and Lebanon. The sell-out programme featured live music, spoken-word and multidisciplinary performances by Bint Mbareh, Inua Ellams, Rama Alcoutlabi & Mario Christofi, Rihab Azar, Selma Dabbagh, Adib Rostami, Basma, Nabad Troupe, Tania Salmen and Riwa Saab, with Reem Maghribi hosting. Stalls from Zaytoun, Saqi Books, Get Your Fil, Chachoulie and Toum & Tahini added a marketplace atmosphere and encouraged further engagement with community initiatives. 300 people attended and all ticket profits were donated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, underscoring the event’s charitable purpose. 

Page 3 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Achievements and Performance (continued)** 

## _**Archiving Gaza In the Present: A Conference**_ 

The Arab British Centre and the Centre for Palestine Studies at SOAS co-organized _Archiving Gaza in the Present_ , a conference held from 30 November to 1 December, focusing on the ongoing erasure of Palestinian heritage in Gaza. Convened by Venetia Porter (Trustee, The Arab British Centre) and Dina Matar (Professor, SOAS), this two-day conference had two main aims. The first was to examine the ongoing erasure of Palestinian heritage of Gaza from multiple perspectives, highlighting the history, the nature and significance of institutions, structures, and sites undergoing destruction, the degradation of the land, the legal implications of these actions, and how they are reported. The second was forward-looking: to bring together key actors and information to discuss the role of memory -both collective and individual - in sustaining cultural and intellectual legacies and identities. This collaborative event was designed for a diverse audience and featured authoritative international speakers from across disciplines, including lawyers, artists, filmmakers, architects, archaeologists, museum professionals, journalists, poets, and musicians. 

The conference was attended by 250 participants over two days. It was supported by Barjeel Art Foundation, Honor Trust Foundation, Al Tajir Trust, Alserkal Arts Foundation, Cultural Emergency Response, Maria Sukkar and other individual donors. The conference was run in partnership with Shubbak Festival and Arts Canteen. 

A publication will be developed and edited by Venetia Porter and Dina Matar and published by SAQI Books in 2025. 

## _**Courses**_ 

_**Music**_ **:** Throughout 2024, the Arab British Centre continued its Taqasim Music School courses, offering instruction in oud, darbuka and music literacy at various levels. 

_**Designing Dissent**_ : Led by artist and author Bahia Shehab, Designing Dissent was an interdisciplinary course that ran from 5 February to 22 April, exploring the relationship between design and resistance in the Arab world. Designed for participants from a diverse array of backgrounds, the course examined how design has historically contributed to resistance movements. Featuring guest speakers, discussions, and hands-on assignments, the course provided a deeper understanding of the role of visual communication in social and political change. 

_**The Introduction to Levantine Arabic**_ course, held on 3 September, introduced students to the fundamentals of Levantine Arabic. Covering the alphabet, basic vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills, the course also emphasized cultural context, equipping students to engage in simple conversations and interpret basic texts while gaining insight into Levantine traditions and heritage. 

TOTAL Number of Students: 213 

Page 4 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Achievements and Performance (continued)** 

## _**Resident Organisations**_ 

In 2024, The Arab British Centre welcomed a new resident organisation, The Asfari Foundation, expanding our community of partners. Our 2024 our resident organisations were: CAABU (Council for Arab-British Understanding), CTDC (Centre for Transnational Development and Collaboration), Shubbak Festival, Zaytoun, The Barakat Trust, Friends of Birzeit University (FOBZU), The Hoping Foundation, the British Palestine Committee, and filmmaker Ashtar AlKhirsan. 

These residents play an integral role in the life of the Centre, contributing to a dynamic, year-round programme of events that engage diverse audiences. In 2024, this included everything from briefings and educational sessions to artist talks and cultural workshops. CAABU continued its regular series of roundtable seminars and public discussions on Arab world affairs. FOBZU deepened academic engagement with Palestine through lectures and panel events. Shubbak ran weekly sessions with their Young Shubbak programme, supporting emerging Arab creatives. Together, these collaborations demonstrate The Arab British Centre’s continued role as a vital hub for critical dialogue, cultural exchange, and inclusive public engagement. 

## **Financial Review** 

The attached financial statements summarise the charity's transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024. Total funds for the year show a deficit of expenditure over income of £84,064. Adding the loss on the investments of £49,729 gives a total deficit for the year of £133,793. Total funds at 31 December 2024 amounted to £2,162,310, comprising £5,150 unrestricted funds, £74,753 restricted funds and £2,082,407 endowment funds. 

## **Principal funding sources** 

The charity's principal sources of funding are:- 

- (1) Charges for classes run by the charity: 

(2) Contributions from resident organisations to the running costs of the Arab British Centre; 

- (3) Sponsorship and donations; 

(4) Income from endowment funds and bank balances, including bank interest, dividends and interest on investments; 

- (5) Capital growth in investments. 

Page 5 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Investment policy** 

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to make any investment which the trustees see fit. The trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing funds. The charity has investments with Investec Wealth & Investment. The remainder of the charity's funds are held on bank deposit. The performance of the investments during the year has been satisfactory. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. 

The expendable endowment fund is a restricted capital fund which is held to ensure the long-term survival of the charity, with the Centre as a physical hub for those working to promote understanding of the Arab world and its culture. 

Transfers from expendable endowment fund are made to income funds at the discretion of the trustees. The trustees aim only to make transfers to income funds sufficient to cover the running costs of the Centre for the forthcoming quarter. 

The charity is hoping to continue to build on its success in increasing the range of events and other activities with which it is involved. The charity’s policy is to organise events and activities which meet the following criteria:- 

1) Their direct costs are fully or substantially paid for out of sponsorship, donations or receipts; and 2) A risk assessment is carried out to ensure that any anticipated deficit on the event or activity is fully affordable out of the income fund. 

## **Plans for future periods** 

The trustees and executive team are building on the Centre’s flagship programmes and strategic partnerships to reach audiences across the United Kingdom, with nationwide delivery planned for 2025. Alongside this, we continue to offer a range of courses and events both online and in-person to deepen engagement. We have also intensified our fundraising initiatives, especially targeting trusts, foundations, and sources of unrestricted income. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we remain committed to adapting and innovating in response to the changing landscape, ensuring the charity's continued growth and impact. 

Page 6 



## **THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Reference and administrative details** 

|Registered charity number|801026|
|---|---|
|Company number|1215037|
|Registered office and|1 Gough Square|
|principal place of business|London|
||EC4A 3DE.|
|**Our advisers**||
|Independent examiner|P.G. Browne FCA CTA|
||Chanter, Browne & Curry|
||Chartered Accountants|
||1 Plato Place|
||72-74 St Dionis Road|
||London SW6 4TU.|
|Bankers|Santander|
||Business Banking Centre|
||Clarence House, Clarence Place|
||Newport, Gwent NP19 7UP.|
|Solicitors|Russell-Cooke LLP|
||2 Putney Hill|
||London SW15 6AB.|
|Investment fund managers|Investec Wealth & Investment Limited|



## **Directors and trustees** 

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows: 

Mr Haroun Al-Mishwit (Interim Chairman) 

Mr Saeed Taji Farouky (resigned 12 September 2024) Ms Randa Adel Ashmawi (resigned 12 Sepember 2024) Mrs Elizabeth Moriarty Mr Maher Maksoud Ms Fionnuala Rogers Ms Imogen Ware Ms Venetia Porter 

## **Company Secretary** 

Mrs Nadia El-Sebai 

Page 7 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Structure, Governance and Management** 

## **Governing document** 

The Arab British Centre is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 5 June 1975 and registered as a charity on 17 February 1989. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. By a written resolution dated 28 June 2011, the trustees adopted new Articles of Association in order to reflect current legislation including the Companies Act 2006. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. 

## **Recruitment and appointment of the Council** 

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the Council. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association, the first board meeting of each calendar year shall be known as the retirement board meeting. At the third retirement board meeting since their last appointment, a trustee shall retire. They shall be eligible for re-appointment if they have served less than six years in office. A trustee who has served six or more years in office at the relevant retirement board meeting must retire and cannot be re-appointed until they have had a period of at least two years out of office, unless on the recommendation of the majority of the board the trustee is reappointed for one further consecutive term of duration to be determined by the trustees. 

Unless otherwise determined by a General Meeting, the number of the members of the Council shall not be less than five nor more than twelve. Currently the only members of the charity are the members of the Council. 

The Council seeks to ensure that only persons with an interest and knowledge of the Arab world are appointed as trustees. Extensive measures are in place to ensure that only trustworthy persons are appointed. These include taking up references and carrying out due diligence checks. 

## **Trustee induction** 

The trustees receive documents relating to the rules and obligations of trustees as set out by the Charity Commission. 

## **Organisational structure** 

The Arab British Centre has a Council of between 5 and 12 members who meet six times per year and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Council has eight members from a variety of backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. 

## **Risk management** 

The trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis, especially now that the charity is seeking to expand its range of activities. The trustees believe that by ensuring that the investment funds are restricted to expenditure on the charity's core function of operating and maintaining The Centre, in line with the wishes of the original fund donors, adequate resources will be available to secure the charity's long term survival. 

The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks faced by the charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. 

Page 8 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **Responsibilities of the Council** 

Company law requires the Council to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Council have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Council must not approve the financial statements unless the trustees are satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the charity and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Council are required to:- 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. 

The Council is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 

The Council is 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. 

## **Small company exemption** 

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

This report was approved by the board of directors and trustees on …............... 2025 and is signed on its behalf. 

……………………………………… 

Mr Haroun Al-Mishwit Interim Chairman 

Page 9 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

I report to the charity's trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Arab British Centre ("the company") for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 11 to 20. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity's trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). 

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of The Arab British Centre's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

Since the Company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies. 

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

1) accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2) the financial statements do not accord with such records; or 

3) the financial statements do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the financial statements give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4) the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). 

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. 

…………………………….. 

## **P.G. Browne FCA CTA** 

## **Chanter, Browne & Curry** 

Chartered Accountants 1 Plato Place 72-74 St Dionis Road London SW6 4TU. Date: …............................ 2025 

Page 10 



**STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

## **SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

|**Notes**<br>**Income**<br>1.4<br>Donations and grants<br>3<br>Charitable activities<br>4<br>Investments<br>5<br>**Total incoming resources**<br>**Expenditure**<br>1.5<br>**Raising funds**<br>Investment management costs<br>6<br>**Charitable activities**<br>6<br>**Total expenditure**<br>Net income/(expenditure) before<br>gains/(losses) on investments<br>Gains/(losses) on investments<br>7<br>**Net income/(expenditure)**<br>**Transfers**<br>Transfers between funds<br>Net movement in funds for the year<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>122,304<br>136,550<br>273|**2024**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>145,546                -<br>18,554                -<br>-<br>73,248|**2024**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>145,546                -<br>18,554                -<br>-<br>73,248|**Total funds**<br>**£**<br>267,850<br>155,104<br>73,521|**2023**<br>**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>135,914<br>129,433<br>74,221|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||259,127|164,100|73,248|496,475|339,568|
||-<br>434,888|-<br>124,818|14,390<br>6,443|14,390<br>566,149|15,134<br>420,716|
||434,888|124,818|20,833|580,539|435,850|
||(175,761) <br>-|39,282<br>-|52,415<br>(49,729)|(84,064)<br>(49,729)|(96,282)<br>17,614|
||(175,761) <br>170,000|39,282<br>-|2,686<br>(170,000)|(133,793)<br> -|(78,668)<br>-|
||(5,761)<br>10,911|39,282<br>35,471|(167,314)<br>2,249,721|(133,793)<br>2,296,103|(78,668)<br>2,374,771|
||5,150|74,753|2,082,407|2,162,310|2,296,103|



The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. 

Page 11 



## **THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>9<br>Investments<br>10<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>11<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Creditors:**amounts falling due within one<br>12<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>**Funds of the charity**<br>Endowment funds<br>14, 15<br>Restricted funds<br>14, 15<br>Unrestricted funds<br>14, 15<br>**Total charity funds**|**£**<br>**£**<br>833,974<br>1,286,950<br>2,120,924<br>9,155<br>74,970<br>84,125<br>42,739<br>41,386<br>2,162,310<br>2,082,407<br>74,753<br>5,150<br>2,162,310<br>**Total funds**<br>**2024**|**£**<br>**£**<br>833,974<br>1,286,950<br>2,120,924<br>9,155<br>74,970<br>84,125<br>42,739<br>41,386<br>2,162,310<br>2,082,407<br>74,753<br>5,150<br>2,162,310<br>**Total funds**<br>**2024**|**£**<br>**£**<br>839,809<br>1,447,916<br>2,287,725<br>8,652<br>54,681<br>63,333<br>54,955<br>8,378<br>2,296,103<br>2,249,721<br>35,471<br>10,911<br>2,296,103<br>**Total funds**<br>**2023**|**£**<br>**£**<br>839,809<br>1,447,916<br>2,287,725<br>8,652<br>54,681<br>63,333<br>54,955<br>8,378<br>2,296,103<br>2,249,721<br>35,471<br>10,911<br>2,296,103<br>**Total funds**<br>**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||2,120,924||2,287,725|
|||41,386||8,378|
||84,125<br>42,739||63,333<br>54,955||
||||||
|||2,162,310||2,296,103|
|||2,082,407<br>74,753<br>5,150||2,249,721<br>35,471<br>10,911|
|||2,162,310||2,296,103|



The Trustees consider that the charity is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act") and members have not required the charity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act. 

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of  the  Companies  Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. 

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and trustees on 18 July 2024. 

…………………………….. 

Mr Haroun Al-Mishwit Interim Chairman 

## **Company Registration Number: 01215037** 

Page 12 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## 1 **Accounting policies** 

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year, except where noted. 

## 1.1 **Basis of accounting** 

The Arab British Centre is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales and registered as a charity. It is governed under its Articles of Association. 

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (second edition - October 2019) - (Charity SORP (FRS 102) Revised), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 

The company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of listed investments. 

## 1.2 **Going concern** 

After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 

## 1.3 **Fund accounting** 

The company has the following funds:- 

(1) An expendable endowment. Transfers to income funds can be made at the discretion of the trustees. 

(2) General unrestricted fund available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. 

(3) Restricted income funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

## 1.4 **Incoming resources** 

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when:- 

- the charity becomes entitled to the resources; 

- the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and 

- the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

Donations are recorded as income in the accounting period in which they are received, except where the donor specifies that they should be used for a specific period. 

Investment income is included in the financial statements when receivable. 

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**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## 1.5 **Resources expended** 

Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. 

Costs of generating funds comprise the investment fund's management charges. 

Governance costs represents independent examiner's' remuneration. 

All other expenditure is included under charitable expenditure. It comprises the cost of operating the Centre. 

## 1.6 **Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets other than freehold land are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight line basis over the expected useful lives, as follows:- 

Freehold building             -    100 years Fixtures and fittings          -    5 years Computers                       -    3 years 

No depreciation is provided on freehold land. 

A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between the carrying value of fixed assets and their recoverable amounts are recognised as impairments.  Impairment losses are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities. 

## 1.7 **Investments** 

Fixed asset investments are revalued at mid-market value at the balance sheet date and the gain or loss on revaluation is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. 

## 1.8 **Debtors** 

Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. 

## 1.9 **Creditors** 

Creditors 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 are normally recognised at their settlement amount. 

## 2 **Legal status** 

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The company is registered in England and Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. 

Page 14 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **3 Donations and grants received** 

|**Donations and grants received**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Donations received<br>Grants received<br>**Income from charitable activities**<br>Contributions from users<br>Income from Arabic calligraphy<br>classes<br>Income from Arabic classes<br>Income from music classes<br>Income from Islamic Art and<br>Architecture classes<br>Income from events and functions<br>Income from Story Telling Workshop <br>Income from merchandise<br>Library memberships||**2024**||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>44,634<br>223,216<br>267,850<br>**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br> <br>78,368<br> <br>2,580<br> <br>1,600<br> <br>44,132<br> <br>8,970<br> <br>14,661<br> <br>900<br> <br>3,893<br> <br>-<br>155,104|**2023**|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>43,714<br>78,590|**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>920<br>144,626|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>7,234<br>128,680|
||122,304|145,546|-||135,914|
||||||**2023**|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>78,368<br>2,580<br>1,600<br>44,132<br>8,970<br>-<br> 900<br>-<br>-|**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14,661<br>-<br>3,893<br>-|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br> <br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>69,779<br>2,720<br>-<br>32,935<br>3,815<br>17,074<br>3,100<br>-<br>10|
||136,550|18,554|-||129,433|



## **4 Income from charitable activities** 

A number of organisations with similar objects to the charity, occupy the majority of the charity's property, and their presence is financially underwritten by the charity. The organisations contribute towards the costs related to the office space and facilities which they use. 

## **5 Investment income** 

|**Investment income**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>Bank interest received<br>273<br>Dividends received from listed investments:-<br>- UK investments<br>-<br>- overseas investments<br>-<br>Interest received from UK listed<br>investments<br>-<br>273||**2024**||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br> <br>273<br>72,442<br>651<br>155<br>73,521|**2023**|
|||**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>72,442<br>651<br>155||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>284<br>73,769<br>-<br>168|
||273|-|73,248||74,221|



Page 15 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

|**Costs of raising funds**<br>Investment management costs<br>**Charitable activities**<br>Cost of operation of the Centre:-<br>Depreciation<br>Repairs and maintenance<br>Staff costs:-<br>- gross wages and salaries<br>- employers' NICs<br>- pension contributions<br>Office and other costs<br>Events, festivals and functions<br>**Governance costs**<br>Independent examination fees||**2024**|**2024**|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>14,390<br>7,113<br>22,306<br>202,607<br>16,394<br>11,885<br>130,521<br>170,283<br>561,109<br>5,040<br>566,149|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-|**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>14,390||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>15,134|
||670<br>22,306<br>202,607<br>16,394<br>11,885<br>86,704<br>89,282|-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>43,817<br>81,001|6,443<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||7,114<br>26,747<br>149,268<br>10,726<br>8,991<br>87,839<br>125,231|
||429,848<br>5,040|124,818<br>-|6,443<br>-||415,916<br>4,800|
||434,888|124,818|6,443||420,716|



No trustees received any remuneration. No trustees were reimbursed for expenses during the year. 

No employee was paid more than £60,000 in the year. The average number of employees during the year was 5 (2023: 4). 

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension contributions charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund. 

## **7 Gains/(losses) on investments** 

|**Gains/(losses) on investments**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Gains/(losses) on sale of<br>investments<br>Gains/(losses) on revaluation of<br>investments||**2024**||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>(28,847)<br>(20,882)<br>(49,729)|**2023**|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-|**Restricted**<br>**income**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-|**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>(28,847)<br>(20,882)||**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>81,411<br>(63,797)|
||-|-|(49,729)||17,614|



## **8 Taxation** 

As a charity, The Arab British Centre is exempt from tax on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the two years ended 31 December 2024. 

Page 16 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **9 Tangible fixed assets** 

|**Tangible fixed assets**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Cost**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 January 2024<br>On disposals<br>Charge for the year<br>At 31 December 2024<br>**Net book values**<br>At 31 December 2024<br>At 31 December 2023|**Freehold**<br>**land and**<br>**buildings**<br>**£**<br>1,288,633<br>-<br>-|**Fixtures**<br>**and fittings**<br>**£**<br>11,867<br>-<br>-|**Computers**<br>**£**<br>2,012<br>1,278<br>-|**Total**<br>**£**<br>1,302,512<br>1,278<br>-|
||1,288,633|11,867|3,290|1,303,790|
||449,494<br>-<br>6,443|11,867<br>-<br>-|1,342<br>-<br>670|462,703<br>-<br>7,113|
||455,937|11,867|2,012|469,816|
||832,696|-|1,278|833,974|
||839,139|-|670|839,809|



The trustees have reviewed the value of the freehold land and buildings. They are of the opinion that the market value at 31 December 2024 was not less than the net book value shown above. The freehold land and buildings was purchased in 2002. 

Page 17 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **10 Fixed asset investments** 

|**Investec Wealth & Investment**<br>At 1 January 2024 at valuation<br>Additions at cost<br>Disposals at cost<br>Net gain/(loss) on revaluation<br>At 31 December 2024 (cost = £1,323,986)<br>**Total investments**<br>Total value of investments at 31 December 2024<br>Less: cash at brokers (included under current assets)<br>Fixed asset investments at 31 December 2024<br>The above investments are held to provide an investment return for the charity.<br>UK assets comprise 99% of the value of the fixed asset investments as at<br>31 December 2024.<br>**11 Debtors**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>Contributions receivable<br>5,405<br>Prepayments<br>3,750<br>9,155<br>**12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>Trade creditors<br>5,428<br>Taxation and social security<br>3,615<br>Accruals<br>5,040<br>Deferred income (see note 13)<br>13,613<br>Other creditors<br>15,043<br>42,739|**Investec Wealth & Investment**<br>At 1 January 2024 at valuation<br>Additions at cost<br>Disposals at cost<br>Net gain/(loss) on revaluation<br>At 31 December 2024 (cost = £1,323,986)<br>**Total investments**<br>Total value of investments at 31 December 2024<br>Less: cash at brokers (included under current assets)<br>Fixed asset investments at 31 December 2024<br>The above investments are held to provide an investment return for the charity.<br>UK assets comprise 99% of the value of the fixed asset investments as at<br>31 December 2024.<br>**11 Debtors**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>Contributions receivable<br>5,405<br>Prepayments<br>3,750<br>9,155<br>**12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>Trade creditors<br>5,428<br>Taxation and social security<br>3,615<br>Accruals<br>5,040<br>Deferred income (see note 13)<br>13,613<br>Other creditors<br>15,043<br>42,739|**£**<br>1,447,916<br>112,434<br>(252,518)<br>(20,882)|
|---|---|---|
|||1,286,950|
|||**Total**<br>**£**<br>1,319,711<br>(32,761)|
|||1,286,950|
|||**2023**<br>**£**<br>4,002<br>4,650|
||9,155|8,652|
||**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,428<br>3,615<br>5,040<br>13,613<br>15,043|**2023**<br>**£**<br>4,469<br>(1,599)<br>4,800<br>30,624<br>16,661|
||42,739|54,955|



Page 18 



**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **13 Deferred income** 

Deferred income comprises contributions from users received in advance. 

|Balance at 1 January 2024<br>Amount released to income earned from charitable activities<br>Amount deferred in year<br>Balance at 31 December 2024|**2024**<br>**£**<br>30,624<br>(30,624)<br>12,363|**2023**<br>**£**<br>21,210<br>(21,210)<br>30,624|
|---|---|---|
||12,363|30,624|



## **14 Statement of funds** 

## **Statement of funds - current year** 

|**Restricted income funds**<br>SAFAR Film Festival<br>**Unrestricted income funds**<br>**Endowment funds**<br>**Total funds**<br>**Statement of funds - prior year**<br>**Restricted income funds**<br>SAFAR Film Festival<br>**Unrestricted income funds**<br>**Endowment funds**<br>**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**<br>**January 2024**<br>**£**<br>35,471<br>10,911<br>2,249,721|**Income**<br>**£**<br>164,100<br>259,127<br>73,248|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>(124,818)<br>(434,888)<br>(20,833)|**Gains/(losses)**<br>**on investments**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>(49,729)|**Transfer in/**<br>**(out)**<br>**£**<br>-<br>170,000<br>(170,000)|**Balance at 31**<br>**December 2024**<br>**£**<br>74,753<br>5,150<br>2,082,407|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||2,296,103|496,475|(580,539)|(49,729)|-|2,162,310|
||**Balance at 1**<br>**January 2023**<br>**£**<br>-<br>15,024<br>2,359,747|**Income**<br>**£**<br>121,046<br>144,585<br>73,937|**Expenditure**<br>**£**<br>(85,575)<br>(328,698)<br>(21,577)|**Gains/(losses)**<br>**on investments**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>17,614|**Transfer in/**<br>**(out)**<br>**£**<br>-<br>180,000<br>(180,000)|**Balance at 31**<br>**December 2023**<br>**£**<br>35,471<br>10,911<br>2,249,721|
||2,374,771|339,568|(435,850)|17,614|-|2,296,103|



## **Restricted income funds comprise the following:** 

1) SAFAR Film Festival - grants received towards the Centre's costs in staging the film festival. 

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**THE ARAB BRITISH CENTRE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024** 

## **15 Analysis of net assets between funds** 

|**Current year**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Net assets at 31 December 2024<br>**Prior year**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Net assets at 31 December 2023|**Unrestricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**£**<br>1,278<br>30,000<br>(23,389)<br>(2,739)|**2024**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>832,696<br>-<br>1,256,950<br>74,753<br>32,761<br>-<br>(40,000)<br>74,753<br>2,082,407<br>**2023**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>839,139<br>-<br>1,417,916<br>35,471<br>32,666<br>-<br>(40,000)<br>35,471<br>2,249,721|**2024**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>832,696<br>-<br>1,256,950<br>74,753<br>32,761<br>-<br>(40,000)<br>74,753<br>2,082,407<br>**2023**<br>**Restricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**Endowment**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>839,139<br>-<br>1,417,916<br>35,471<br>32,666<br>-<br>(40,000)<br>35,471<br>2,249,721|**Total funds**<br>**£**<br>833,974<br>1,286,950<br>84,125<br>(42,739)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||5,150|74,753|2,082,407|2,162,310|
||**Unrestricted**<br>**income funds**<br>**£**<br>670<br>30,000<br>(4,804)<br>(14,955)|||**Total funds**<br>**£**<br>839,809<br>1,447,916<br>63,333<br>(54,955)|
||10,911|35,471|2,249,721|2,296,103|



## **16 Related party disclosures** 

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024. 

Page 20