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2024-12-31-annual-report

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees present their report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

Carrickfergus Enterprise’s main activities and beneficiaries are detailed in this report. All of the charitable activities focus on the promotion for the public benefit of urban and rural regeneration in the Carrickfergus area and its environs, being an area of social and economic deprivation. Furthermore, providing facilities for the employment and training of said residents in the interest of social welfare with the objective of creating conditions which, if taken advantage of could lead to an improvement in well-being for the individual and the community.

All activities are assessed to determine their impact on beneficiaries and its contribution to charitable activities so that trustees can ascertain the best allocation of resources. The objectives of the charity include the promotion and stimulation of an enterprise culture, support for business start-up and frameworks to encourage business development and growth of existing businesses. The charity makes a contribution to the following charitable purposes:-

Public Benefit

The Trustees have taken cognisance of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit as defined in the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

The public benefits that flow from the purpose of urban and regeneration are:-

These benefits can be evidenced in records kept by various agencies of the number of jobs and work experience opportunities created and the numbers of those who have successfully completed training courses. Evidence can also be found in independent evaluations of the activities of enterprise agencies carried out by funding bodies and in community surveys of living standards and attitudes.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Some private benefit is obtained by the owners of small businesses who rent units on favourable terms, but this is ancillary to the main purpose and is greatly outweighed by the gains in public benefit.

No harm arises from these purposes.

Carrickfergus Enterprise was formally registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 2 April 2015, having been confirmed to exist for charitable purposes and the public benefits under charity number NIC101615.

Achievements and performance Business Start up and Growth Support

Enterprise Awareness

All activities carried out by Carrickfergus Enterprise are underpinned by generating awareness of Enterprise support that can be offered to encourage, and inspire a range of individuals to consider self-employment. The Company takes every opportunity to generate awareness through a number of platforms, with staff attending a range of events over the year. Our Property & Enterprise Officer Alan Hamilton took part in the following events:-

Date Enterprise Awareness Activity
14thMarch 2024 Schools Careers Convention
1stMay2024 NRC Social Enterprise Event
27thJune 2024 LMP Health,Wellbeing& EmployabilityFair
16thSeptember 2024 NRC Freshers Day
24thOctober 2024 Job Centre Drop-in Session
18thNovember 2024 NRC Global EntrepreneurshipDrop-In event

Go-Succeed

Go-Succeed was launched in October 2023 delivered by Enterprise Northern Ireland with Carrickfergus Enterprise the delivery agent in Carrickfergus to help budding entrepreneurs to start, grow or scale a business. Funding has been provided by the UK Government, representing a £17 million investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses.

The programme continued to develop in 2024 and over the year staff carried out 147 initial diagnostics. Working with a range of clients 41 business plans and 43 enterprise action plans were completed supporting a wide variety of business ideas, reflecting the creativity and diversity of local entrepreneurs. These included ventures such as candlemaking businesses, barber shops, florists, aesthetics clinics, and Airbnb management services. We delivered other elements of the programme including hosting workshops and working on new concepts such as the Peer Support Networks.

Peer Support Network – Tourism

Given our extensive experience in tourism, we collaborated with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council through Go Succeed to provide three peer support networks locally for those who are a tourism business or thinking about setting up in this sector. These were held in Ballymena and Carrickfergus with an average of about 15-20 attendees per session. It was designed to allow attendees to network with their peers, to be provided with inspiration and improve their confidence and understanding of the sector. Kelli McRoberts used her experience delivering the Coastal Hub series and as facilitator of the Causeway Coastal Route Tourism Cluster to bring this insight and experience to participants. Acting as facilitator of all three events she brought speakers who run their own business to enhance the experience of attendees. The first event took place during Global Entrepreneurship Week on 20th November 2024 at Dobbins Inn, Carrickfergus. A number of facilitated networking activities took place as well as a presentation from Adrian Hack from Lead the Way Tours and Kirsty Fallis from Dobbins hotel who spoke about collaborating on their Dine and Dander experience. Both parties identified an experience where visitors can get some insight into the rich history of Carrickfergus but also experience medieval dining. Two further sessions took place in Ballymena and Larne in early 2025.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Explore Enterprise

Despite ongoing marketing efforts throughout 2024 we experienced huge difficulty recruiting participants. This lack of engagement was primarily due to the programme’s strict eligibility requirements, which stipulated that individuals had to be economically inactive and not actively seeking employment. These narrow criteria significantly limited the pool of eligible participants and ultimately hindered uptake. The market is very competitive with other similar programmes delivered through the Labour Market Partnership, all targeting the same client pool.

However, through collaboration with Northern Regional College, Alan Hamilton was able to deliver a short programme that took place from January to March 2025 with 11 completing training and mentoring provide to explore self employment. This programme has now fully completed and our umbrella organisation Enterprise Northern Ireland is looking at alternative provision.

Enterprising Women

The charity continues to develop and enhance the network for local female entrepreneurs in Mid and East Antrim Borough that has now been operating for over 7 years. The activities offered aim to stimulate business connections and growth, job creation and collaboration opportunities for those considering self employment or growing their business. The network is very much about the creation of a welcoming environment for women to take their first steps into networking and to grow in confidence whilst updating their skills and knowledge.

The pooling of Service Level Agreement funds continues with Ballymena Business Centre and Carrickfergus Enterprise to ensure the Enterprising Women Network was resourced to grow and develop. 2024 also saw a modest increase to the budget to allow us to offer more places and events. This was essential given the growth of the network in terms of registrations for events.

This collaboration has been very beneficial in growing the network across the borough. Ensuring a unified response to referrals to the network and key messaging.

Membership has grown year on year but there was a large percentage of non-engagers. In 2024 we issued a new call for membership to sift out those who were not engaging. The Company also invested in the creation of a member website to ensure information is kept up to date and is visible https://enterprisingwomen.ceal.co.uk/. We encourage networking outside events by providing contact details and the ability to sort into sectors eg. Professional or Health & Well being. Current membership is 143 members with a continual flow of members due to the strength and value of the brand and referrals from existing members and stakeholders.

Over the period May 2024 - March 2025, the following activities were delivered under the SLA, with 329 registrations and 272 attendees a retention of 84%, up by 4% the previous year. Delivery is under 4 themes.

1. Social Networking to Grow

Seven events including five Coffee and Networking and lunch events in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena.

A Winter showcase event held in Tower Centre, Ballymena with twelve traders taking part to showcase their products and services to local shoppers. A raffle was held during the event and £200 raised for the Mayor's chosen charities.

Following feedback from members as two exchange visits had take place in Donegal in 2023 and 2024, members wanted to stay closer to home. An exchange visit was organised to the North Coast with a collaborative networking event held with members of Enterprise Causeway female network with the view to identify common themes to explore future funding opportunities and collaborative projects. This took place in March 2025.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. Management and Personal Development

Three workshops took place under this theme including Mobile Movie Making, Getting to Yes – Mastering Sales in Corporate Buying Teams and Confidence is 95% Mindset.

3. Coaching and Mentoring

Ten ladies received coaching or mentoring totalling 43 hours in topics including Social Media, Website review, financial management and personal coaching. As arranged with Council officers any Enterprising Women members who wished to receive mentoring must have completed mentoring through Go Succeed in the first instance. This ensured no duplication and mentoring time available was maximised.

4. Health and Well Being

Three workshops were delivered under this theme of including Autumn Reset experience in meditation and Bachs remedies, Empower your Menopause and Spring into Wellness Workshop exploring using vision boards for business and personal development.

5. Connecting Members

Establishment of member website and database https://enterprisingwomen.ceal.co.uk/.

A review of the 2024-2025 programme has clearly showed the value and impact made by Enterprising Women on its members, local stakeholders and the wider local community. Feedback received from attendees throughout the year, general comments and responses from a dedicated post programme focus group revealed the high esteem members hold Enterprising Women.

They now see it as a solid community that they feel part of and that can help improve their confidence in not only networking but in developing their business and them personally. Members are also intentionally networking outside formal meetings and collaborating together for product and service delivery. Over 60 positive endorsements have been received in support of continuing the Network.

Community Engagement & Employability

– Tourism Academy Labour Market Partnership

The Tourism Academy, funded by the Department for Communities and delivered by Carrickfergus Enterprise, was led by CEO Kelli McRoberts and developed to meet the needs of individuals seeking employment or self- employment in the rapidly expanding tourism industry.

The Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships, create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work. This academy was delivered under Mid and East Antrim Council’s LMP.

The course provided participants with a unique blend of industry-specific qualifications and hands-on experience. Over a period of six months, attendees took part in 15 diverse sessions that covered a range of tourism and hospitality skills. These included the WorldHost Principles of Customer Service accreditation, food safety certifications, emergency first aid, and an introduction to Ulster Scots. Additional training included RYA Powerboat Level 2 and peer-to-peer learning sessions focusing on online storytelling techniques used in the Disney Pixar movie-making process. The aims of the programme were to:-

Notable speakers included Adrian Hack, a WWII tour guide at Lead the Way Tours, Norman McBride of NM Hospitality Training and Erica Lutzman, the owner of The Lighthouse Bistro and The Cove, who shared their experiences of building successful tourism ventures from passion projects. Participants also took part in a familarisation visit to The Gobbins and Glenarm Castle. The impact of the programme can be see below:-

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Target Actual Outputs
10 participants enrolled on
the project.
12 enrolled.		 Mix of young people, home maker,
retiree’s.
50%
interested
in
tour
guiding. All love workingwithpeople.
7/10
and
75%
enrolled
complete academy.
10/12 completed the academy.		 Drop out due to ill health or non
engagement.
7/10
and
75%
enrolled
complete academy.
10 reported satisfaction with the
LMPproject.		 Excellent feedback.
7/10
and
75%
enrolled
complete academy.
11
gained
at
least
one
qualification.
38
qualifications
received.
3
receiving
4
qualifications,
5
receiving
3
qualifications.



Providing opportunity for them to get at
least 4 – WorldHost, Food Safety, First
Aid, Power Boat training.
6/10
and
67%
gaining
employment.
7/10
gained
employment/self
employment or increased their
hours
in
self
employment/
employment.

Includes self employed marketing,
army
reservist,
permanent
role/
additional
hours
with
existing
employer, Operations Manager, 1
recently gained employment so cannot
measure 6 months
3/6
and
50%
gaining
employment
still
in
employment after 6 months.
6/7 86% gaining employment still
in employment after 6 months.

Carrickfergus Enterprise success was rewarded with the award of Tourism Academy # 2 in December 2024 with funding provided under Go Succeed and delivery in the first quarter of 2025.

Sister IN

CEO Kelli McRoberts was appointed mentor under this Northern Ireland wide female leadership programme. It is aimed at lower and upper sixth pupils, designed to empower females to become the leaders of tomorrow by unlocking their full potential. Kelli used practical examples of how her lived experience could help the student increase their knowledge of the leadership modules they will complete alongside mentoring. These include Goal Setting, Leadership Styles, Project Management, Teamwork, Communication, Conflict Resolution and Resilience. Kelli assisted with their Sisters IN project and provided advice on career paths and opportunities. Kelli was matched to a pupil, Poppy Restrick, from Larne High School with Kelli a past pupil. She attended Larne High on a monthly basis from October 2024 to March 2025.

Despite the growing number of women stepping into entrepreneurship, Northern Ireland still faces a significant discrepancy in the number of female founders. There is no female entrepreneurship policy in Northern Ireland and University speakers highlighted best practice with policy in place in Countries such as Canada and Germany. It is hoped that Carrickfergus Enterprise through Enterprising Women can continue to be part of this stakeholder partnership to look at ways of enhancing support delivery for female Entrepreneurs.

Property & Development

Workspace Accommodation

The total workspace available at the Meadowbank Road site has increased to 57,243 sq ft, following the introduction of two new space offerings, Connect Hi tech office space, and Protect a range of secure storage units. We added to the secure space with a further 4 units installed in 2024.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The full site now comprises of 39 units, 19 Hi tech offices, 16 secure storage units as well as new training and meeting room. Such workspace is offered on favourable terms in order to stimulate and develop enterprise within the Carrickfergus area. This includes a flexible lease that can be terminated with one full calendar month’s notice. In addition, tenants can access a range of business support services, including meeting rooms, access to business support and finance options.

2024 saw trading conditions stabilise a little after difficult trading conditions in 2023 with increasing costs and other global events impacting on our local businesses. Enquiries for workspace remained high with over 30+ expressions of interest received from businesses interested in locating at our Meadowbank Road site. We experienced some turnover of tenants throughout the year but occupancy was above target in nearly all property areas, as outlined below.

2024 Target Actual
Phase 1 97% 99%
Phase 2 97% 100%
Phase 3 97 % 99%
Connect Office 100% 99% - 1 tenant vacated &quicklyrelet.
Protect Secure Unit 92% 97% - reflects change in tenancy in 2024 with new
units onlyreflected in 2025.

The charity continued to maintain its quality accreditation ISO 9001.

Property Business Development

In line with our the theme of Property development within our Company Strategy the Board and CEO continue to research and review opportunities for further development. In 2024 this included a proposal for office pods located at our Meadowbank Road site. An initial business case was prepared and research gathered showing great interest in this type of space for a variety of business needs including professional services and artisan crafts. The General Purposes Committee (GPC) and Board approved the decision to progress with twelve of these initially at the back of our phase 2 site and planning application was submitted in October 2024.

The GPC and Board also considered a possible town centre purchase with the sale of Danske Bank premises in High Street, Carrickfergus. A feasibility and conditions report was commissioned and presented to the Directors by the CEO but the costs versus potential revenue streams showed that the purchase was not financially viable. The Board and CEO continue to research possible projects as occupancy and demand continues to remain high and there is a real shortage of fit for purpose accommodation in Mid and East Antrim.

A managed workspace opportunity is being developed with a local business, B Crowe and Son, who are developing a £5m business park at Sullatober. The project off the Marshallstown Road in Carrickfergus, will provide a range of workspace, offices and exhibition space. The Board are developing a service level agreement to provide a managing agent service for the premises and ensure space is complementary to our existing property portfolio. Planning was approved in September 2024 with the proposal providing economic development of 70 to 130 jobs and 30 to 50 construction jobs.

Cooperation and Partnership

The Board/Trustees continue to develop partnerships complementary to Carrickfergus Enterprise's charitable objectives. The charity continues to develop opportunities for membership of stakeholder and voluntary organisations aligned with our strategic objectives and charitable purposes.

Labour Market Partnership

Chief Executive Kelli McRoberts is currently Vice Chair of Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership. The Labour Market Partnership will focus on 4 key areas. Economically Inactive, Long Term Unemployed, Disability and Skilled Labour Supply with academies delivered in a number of areas including Tourism which we delivered and others including HGV driving, teaching assistant.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Peace Plus Programme

Kelli McRoberts is a social partner and Vice Chair of MEA PeacePlus Partnership.

The PEACEPLUS programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and has been designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties in the Republic of Ireland, building upon the work of the previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes. Mid and East Antrim has confirmed an allocation of £5m and will be centered around three core themes – Local community regeneration and transformation, Thriving and peaceful communities and Building respect for all cultural identities. We continue to review and develop opportunities to access funding opportunities from this programme that would benefit our clients and the wider community. Opportunities include the development of a Social Enterprise Hub.

These projects were included in an action plan submitted in May 2024 for approval by SEUPB with the plan only just being approved in April 2025.

Local Economic Development Partnership

Minister Murphy launched the Sub-Regional Economic Plan in October 2024. The Plan sets out the next steps the Department for the Economy and Invest NI will take to bring about greater regional balance through focusing on three strands of delivery:

  1. Creation of new Local Economic Partnerships with dedicated funding;

  2. Enhancing the role of Invest NI at a regional level; and

  3. Realignment of Departmental policies and programmes to help drive local economic growth.

Councils have an important role to play in establishing, chairing, and operating the Local Economic Partnership within their areas. Together with the Department for the Economy, Invest NI and economic stakeholders they will Identify actions and develop projects for funding that align with the Sub-Regional Economic Plan, Council Economic Development Strategies and Invest NI Business Strategy. Carrickfergus Enterprise along with our LEA counterparts and other organisation such as Northern Regional College and Positive Carrickfergus are part of the Local Economic Partnership that has been established.

The LEP has already had a number of meetings looking at the key priorities in Mid and East Antrim and potential interventions. There is a budget of £45m funding across all 11 Councils with MEABC allocated £1.5m per year for 3 years.

Staff and Trustees

The staff resource of the charity was three in 2024, with the existing staff resource sufficient for delivery of our key services including property rental and programme delivery, in the short term. However, longer term with the roll out of our Strategic plan including new space and PeacePlus social hubs, additional roles will need to be identified and resourced. The board have made this a priority for 2025.

There were some changes to the make up of the board in 2024 with the resignation of Ms L Robb and Ms L Millar and the appointment of Ms Catherine O’Hara and Mr Adrian Davis. Catherine brings a range of experience in the charity sector with management roles in Northern Ireland Hospice, Corrymeela and most recently Mencap. Adrian a local entrepreneur, who established AD Sustainability in 2013 providing public and private organsiations with practical support in issues such as environmental compliance, energy and carbon management to cut their costs, be sustainable and grow their business.

Continuous Professional Development

Financial Resilience Academy

The CEO was a successful applicant to the programme delivered by CO3 (3rd Sector CEO network). It provided delegates with the knowledge and tools to secure in conjunction with the Board, the organisation’s financial sustainability in these challenging times. Participants were CEOs, Senior Managers from Action Cancer, CAUSE, Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust and Children’s Law Society. Training included:-

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Financial review

The results for the year are set out in detail on pages 17 – 32. The charity returned net outgoing resources for the year of £59,161 (2023 - £62,001). The results for the year included a depreciation charge of £107,411.

At 31 December 2024, the total funds of the charity amounted to £3,069,027 comprising restricted funds of £998,795 and unrestricted funds of £2,070,232. The unrestricted funds are considered to be essential to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise and fulfil the legal obligations of the charity in the event that current levels of income are not maintained. The charity’s policy is to maintain a level of free reserves sufficient to cover such costs. Within unrestricted funds the trustees have designated an amount of £200,000 for planned future expenditure. The planned expenditure includes the purchase of land for Phase 4 of the charity's facilities and other maintenance, improvements and general repairs that are required. The charity does not have any free reserves in addition to its designated funds. However, cash flow generated from rental income is sufficient to meet the charity's financial commitments as they fall due. The charity will seek to build its free reserves from future rental income.

Risk management

The Trustees, supported by management and staff, have established a rigorous risk assessment system that includes monitoring monthly management accounts and variance analysis as well as monitoring cashflow forecasts on a monthly basis. Risks may include reduction in occupancy rates resulting in reduced rental income as well as reduction in programme funding available, and an increasingly competitive marketplace. The Board approved its 5 year Strategic Development Plan in March 2023. A number of the strategic actions are currently being developed by the General Purposes Committee in conjunction with the Chief Executive and her team. As with any major strategic project there is a due diligence process and risk assessment carried out to research the market and assess the viability.

Future Strategy

The 5 year Strategic plan was approved by the Board in March 2023 and outlined four key themes:-

With 2.5 years behind us we are now half way through our 5 year Strategic plan, providing us with the strong foundations to ensure we can continue to be financially sustainable and maintain a strong commitment to make a difference in the local economy. We must continue to prioritise how we will develop and implement this strategy.

As a smaller organisation we have been agile and able to grasp opportunities as they arise such as the Tourism Academy and Peer Support Networks as well as property development such as Dankse Bank. The Chairman, trustees and staff continue to deliver the high level of service to our clients as well as developing new ideas and projects underpinned by our charitable objectives.

Some of these are starting to roll out including the development of office pods and Sullatober Business Park. Board Structure has been improved with the introduction of two new trustees that bring a range of skills and experience to the board as well as a fresh perspective and new ideas. With the introduction of new staff resources later in the year, the organsiation can remain stronger and more sustainable to continue to make progress in a number of strategic areas whilst remaining flexible to any changes in our market place.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Structure, governance and management

The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Carrickfergus Enterprise is steered strategically by an experienced voluntary Board of Directors/Trustees. Day to day management of the charity is the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Mrs K L McRoberts, supported by a dedicated team of professional staff. The General Purposes Committee aims to improve decision making and overall efficiency of the board meeting bi-monthly with the full board meeting quarterly.

The Committee consists of the following directors:

Mr W Adamson – Chairman * 100% Mr D McIlhagger 80% Ms A Harper 100% Mr I Kerr 100%

*Percentage attendance during the year. Attendance reflects meetings members eligible to attend.

Four meetings of the General Purposes Committee took place in 2024 on 1 March 2024, 14 June 2024, 23 August 24, 20 September 24 (Special meeting).

New directors are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They are free to discuss any issue with other current directors or key employees. Directors are encouraged to attend any appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role. This provides an understanding of what Charity Trusteeship entails and the responsibilities and duties that go with that position. Now that the Strategic Development Plan has been finalized it would be in order to revisit Good Governance training for trustees as delivered in the past by Edwards & Co Solicitors, The Charities Act 2008 and the responsibilities of directors/ trustees in relation to this legislation. As Board Structure is a key priority for the board, it is timely to identify and recruit new board members and provide appropriate training.

Directors/Trustees

The directors of the charity during the year were: Mr W Adamson – Chairman 100% Ms A Harper 100% Mr D McIlhagger 67% Mr J Lowndes 33% Mr S R Stewart 0% Ms L Millar 0% (Resigned 20th September 2024) Ms L Robb 0% (Resigned 3 January 2024) Mr I Kerr 100% Ms C O’Hara 100% (Appointed 20th September 2024, partial year) Mr A Davis *100% (Appointed 20th September 2024, partial year)

*Percentage attendance during the year. The board of trustees meet quarterly with 3 meetings held in 2024. Attendance reflects meetings members eligible to attend.

**Of the meetings they were eligible to attend.

In accordance with the Articles of Association retire by rotation and Mr J Lowndes and Mr D McIlhagger, are eligible for re-election.

CARRICKFERGUS ENTERPRISE

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Carrickfergus Enterprise for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of re sources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that GMcG BELFAST be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Small companies exemption

In preparing this report, the directors have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

..............................

Mr W Adamson Trustee

Dated: .12th September 2025