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2025-08-31-accounts

Scots Philosophical Association Trustees’ Annual Report

01/09/2024 to 31/09/2025

Scottish Charity Number: SC040535

Address c/o Philosophy. School of Humanities. University of Glasgow, Postcode G12 8QQ.

Telephone number 01413305045

Email address scotsphil@gmail.com

Website http://www.scotsphil.org.uk

Charity Trustees

  1. John Lyons

  2. Bryan Pickel

  3. Tina Röck

  4. Mahrad Almotahari

  5. Michael Hicks

  6. Stephan Torre

  7. Lisa Ann Jones

  8. Kent Hurtig

2

Objectives and activities

The purpose of the charity is to advance education, and in particular through: (a) promoting the study of philosophy generally; (b) facilitating the exchange of views on philosophical topics among those teaching

the subject in Scotland; and (c) providing a regular opportunity for the informal discussion of matters of general interest to philosophers, including particularly questions concerning with the teaching of philosophy.

The Association promotes these objectives in a variety of ways. These include: (a) grants for philosophy conferences at Scottish universities; (b) grants for postgraduate activities in the six Scottish departments; (c) regular meetings of the Association; (d) advertising philosophical events, via email list and website; (e) consultative and advisory work, sometimes with other subject associations.

3

Structure, governance and management

Type of governing document

The Association was registered as a Scottish Charity with effect from 27 May 2009. The Association is administered in accordance with the terms of the Constitution.

Trustee recruitment and appointment

The trustees are representatives of the Management Committee, either appointed on the establishment of the Association, or thereafter appointed in accordance with the Association's Constitution. This requires unanimous approval of the existing trustees.

4

Achievements and performance

In here, include a summary of the main achievements of the charity during the financial period.

The Association paid out grants of £5000 to the Scottish philosophy departments, to be used for the promotion of postgraduate and staff study and teaching. Postgraduate activities funded by this income include workshops, conferences, reading parties, and contributions to Travel and expenses for PG students giving papers at other institutions. The Association also funded 11 conferences.

5

Financial review

Statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

The Association currently has reserves of £ 340,532 divided between a savings account and a current account. The organisation began saving to increase its reserves in 2022 out of concern that there would be a drop of income due to The Philosophical Quarterly becoming open access. This has not happened. Once the organisation is incorporated (see below), the board would like to invest the reserves and use any dividends to fund further activities.

Details of any deficit

Donated facilities and services

Future plans

The Scots Philosophical Association is currently in the process of winding down to be replaced by The Scots Philosophical Association SCIO. We have completed the legals steps and are at the final stages of

Additional information

Got something else to say? Here is your chance!

6

Declaration

Signed on behalf of the charity trustees:

----- Start of picture text -----
Bryan Pickel
Bryan Pickel
Print name
Treasurer
Designation
01 - 05 - 2026
Date
----- End of picture text -----

7

APPENDIX 1


Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date
Day Month Year Day Month Year
From
01		 09 2024 To
31		 08 2025

Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

Reference and administration details

Charity name Scots Philosophical Association Other names charity is known by Registered charity number SC040535 Charity’s principal address 69 Oakfield Ave, Glasgow

Postcode G12 8LP

Names of the charity trustees on date of approval of Trustees’ Annual Report

Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if
not for whole year		 Name of person
(or body) entitled to
appoint trustee (if any)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 John Lyons Secretary
Bryan Pickel Treasurer
Tina Röck Dundee Rep
Stephan Torre Aberdeen Rep
Michael Hicks Glasgow Rep
Mahrad Almotahari Edinburgh Rep
Kent Hurtig Stirling Rep
Lisa Ann Jones St Andrews Rep

1

APPENDIX 1

Reference and administration details

Names of all other charity trustees during the period, if any, (for example, those who resigned part way through the financial period)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Mike Wheeler
Mazviita Chirimuuta
Structure, governance and management Structure, governance and management
Type of governing document
Trustee recruitment and appointment
The trustees are representatives of the Management Committee, either
appointed on the establishment of the Association, or thereafter appointed
in accordance with the Association's Constitution. This requires
unanimous approval of the existing trustees.
The trustees are representatives of the Management Committee, either
appointed on the establishment of the Association, or thereafter appointed
in accordance with the Association's Constitution. This requires
unanimous approval of the existing trustees.
Objectives and activities
Charitable purposes
Summary of the main activities
in relation to these objects
The purpose of the charity is to advance education, and in particular
through: (a) promoting the study of philosophy generally; (b) facilitating the
exchange of views on philosophical topics among those teaching the
subject in Scotland; and (c) providing a regular opportunity for the informal
discussion of matters of general interest to philosophers, including
particularly questions concerning with the teaching of philosophy
The Association promotes these objectives in a variety of ways. These
include: (a) grants for philosophy conferences at Scottish universities; (b)
grants for postgraduate activities in the six Scottish departments; (c)
regular meetings of the Association; (d) advertising philosophical events,
via email list and website; (e) consultative and advisory work, sometimes
with other subject associations.

2

APPENDIX 1

Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of
the charity during the financial period		 The Association made grants of £5000 to six units teaching Philosophy in
Scottish Universities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St
Andrews, and Stirling). Of this sum, £2000 is to be used for Philosophy
Postgraduate activities and travel. The remaining £3000 is to be used for
departmental events.
The Association contributes £5000 to a Centenary Fellowship, which
brings an academic to a Scottish University. In 2024-25, a visitor was
brought to Glasgow.
The Association agree to fund 11 academic conferences at Scottish
Universities. Because we repay events after they have happened, we paid
for 11 conferences from this year and previous years, for a total of
£11,151.28. We have committed to funding a total of 19 conferences in
the academic year for a total of £21,317.70.
The Association ran a conference and Annual General Meeting in
Edinburgh.

Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy
on reserves
Details of any deficit
Donated facilities and services (if any)		 At close of September 2025, the charity had reserves of £379,880.27 held
in a current account and savings account. The revenue for the charity
derives primarily from its share of the profits of The Philosophical
Quarterly, a journal housed in St Andrews partially owned by the SPA. In
recent years, there has been concern that journal profits would decrease
due to open access requirements. However, this has not happened. The
charity is in the process of converting into an SCIO. Once this is complete,
the board considering how to invest the reserves.

3

APPENDIX 1

Other optional information

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Bryan Pickel OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures Full name(s) Bryan Pickel Position (e.g. Chair) Treasurer Date 6 May 2026

Enter SC No. below SC040535

APPENDIX 2

Enter charity name below

The Scots Philosophical Association

The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association The Scots Philosophical Association SC040535
Receipts andpayments accounts
For the period
from		 Period sta rt date Period end date
Day Month Year to Day Mon th Year
01 09 2024 31 08 2025
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted
funds
to nearest £		 Expendable
endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Permanent
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 Total funds
current period
to nearest £		 Total funds last
period
to nearest £
Donations £ 75 716 00
£ 1 996 00
77 712		 -
Legacies -
Grants 75 716
Receipts from fundraisingactivities -
Gross tradingreceipts -
Income from investments other than
land and buildings		 1 996
Rents from land & buildings -
Gross receipts from other charitable
activities		 -
-
A1 Sub total - - - 77 712 -
A2 Receipts from asset &
investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets - -
Proceeds from sale of investments -
A2 Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments		 77 712
- - - 77 712 -
Expenses for fundraising activities
46 151
1 080
2 612		 -
Gross trading payments -
Investment management costs -
Payments relating directly to charitable
activities		 -
Grants and donations 46 151
Governance costs: -
Audit / independent examination -
Preparation of annual accounts -
Legal costs 1 080
Other 2 612
-
**A3 Sub total ** 49 843 - - - 49 843 -
A4 Payments relating to asset and
investment movements
Purchases of fixed assets -
Purchase of investments -
**A4 Sub total ** - - - - - -
Total payments
Net receipts / (payments)
A5 Transfers to / (from) funds
Surplus / (deficit) for year
49 843 - - - 49 843 -
27 869 - - - 27 869 -
-
-
27 869 - - - 27 869 -

APPENDIX 2

The Scots Philosophical Association

SC040535

Section B Statement of balances

Categories
B1 Cash funds
B2 Investments		 Details
Surplus / (deficit) shown on receipts and
payments account
Cash and bank balances at end of year
(Agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Cash and bank balances at start of year
Details
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
312 663
27 869
340 532
-		 Restricted funds
Expendable
endowment
funds
Permanent
endowment
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-

-
-
-
Total
Cost (if available)
to nearest £
Fund to which asset belongs
Fund to which asset belongs		 Total current
period
to nearest £		 Total current
period
to nearest £		 Total last period
to nearest £
312 663
27 869
-
-
340 532 -

-
Market valuation
to nearest £
-
Current value (if
available)
to nearest £
-
Last year
to nearest £

-
Last year
to nearest £

B3 Other assets

/ Statement of balances

2

December 2007

APPENDIX 2

B4 Liabilities

B5 Contingent liabilities

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Details

Details

Signature*

Bryan Pickel

Total - - -

Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year to nearest £ to nearest £ Total - -

Amount due Fund to which liability relates Last year (estimate) to nearest £ to nearest £ Total - -

Date of

Print Name

approval Bryan Pickel 01 May 2026

/ Statement of balances

3

December 2007

APPENDIX 2

SC040535

The Scots Philosophical Association

Section C Notes to the Accounts

C1 Nature and purpose of funds (may be stated on analysis of funds worksheets)

To advance education, and in particular through: (a) promoting the study of philosophy generally; (b) facilitating the exchange of views on philosophical topics among those teaching the subject in Scotland; and (c) providing a regular opportunity for the informal discussion of matters of general interest to philosophers, including particularly questions concerning with the teaching of philosophy. This is achieved through grants to Scottish Universities Deparments of Philosophy for fellowships, conferences, post-graduate education and other philosophical activities.

C2 Grants

Conference Support Grants
Type of activity or project supported
CentenaryFellow
Department Support Grants		 Individual /
institution
U of Glasgow
Scottish Unis
Scottish Unis		 Number of grants
made
£
1 5 000
6 30 000
14 11 151
Total 46 151

C3a Trustee remuneration

If no remuneration was paid during the period to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee cross this box (otherwise complete section 3b)

Authority under which paid

£

C3b Trustee remuneration - details

/ Notes

December 2007

4

APPENDIX 2

C4a Trustee expenses

C4b Trustee expenses - details

C5 Transactions with trustees and connected persons

If no expenses were paid to any charity trustee during the period then cross this box (otherwise complete section 4b)

Number of
trustees
£		 Number of
trustees
£
The AGM at University of Aberdeen covered Trustees travel and stay
costs in addition to other speakers, tea and coffee, and room space.		 6 2 380
Nature of relationship Nature of transaction Transaction
amount (£)
Balance
outstanding at
period end (£)

C6 Other information

/ Notes

December 2007

5

APPENDIX 2

gal agreement with OSCR and will be replaced by the Scots Philospohical Association SCIO. We are experienc

/ Notes

6

December 2007

APPENDIX 2

The Scots Philosophical Association

SC040535

Additional analysis (1)

Analysis of receipts and payments

1 Donations

1 Donations
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted funds
to nearest £		 Expendable
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 Permanent
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 Total current
period
to nearest £		 Total last period
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
Total - - - - - -
- - - - - -

2 Grants

2 Grants
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted funds
to nearest £		 Total current
period
to nearest £		 Total last period
to nearest £
PQ Share of Profits 75 716 75 716
-
-
-
Total
75 716
-
Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
3 Gross receipts from other charitable activities		 75 716 - 75 716 -
-
Restricted funds
to nearest £		 Expendable
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 Permanent
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 -
Total current
period
to nearest £		 -
Total last period
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total - - - - - -
- - - - - -

4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted funds
to nearest £		 Expendable
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 Permanent
endowment
funds
to nearest £		 Total current
period
to nearest £		 Total current
period
to nearest £		 Total last period
to nearest £
-









-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total - - - - - -
- - - - - -

Additional notes (1)

December 2007

APPENDIX 2

SC040535

Additional analysis (2)

Receipts
5 Breakdown of unrestricted funds		 Unrestricted
fund 1 - enter
name of fund
below		 Unrestricted
fund 1 - enter
name of fund
below		 Unrestricted
fund 2 - enter
name of fund
below		 Unrestricted
fund 3 - enter
name of fund
below		 Unrestricted
fund 4 - enter
name of fund
below		 Total
unrestricted
funds		 Total
unrestricted
funds last
period
Donations -
Legacies -
Grants 75 716 75 716
Receipts from fundraisingactivities -
Gross tradingreceipts -
buildings 1 996 1 996
Rents from land & buildings -
Gross receipts from other charitable activities -
Sub total
Receipts from asset & investment sales		 77 712 - - - 77 712 -
-
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets -
Proceeds from sale of investments -
Sub total
Total receipts
Payments		 - - - - - -
77 712 - - - 77 712 -
-
Expenses for fundraisingactivities -
Gross trading payments -
Investment management costs -
Payments relatingdirectlyto charitable activities 2 612 2 612
Grants and donations 46 151 46 151
Governance costs: -
Audit / independent examination -
Preparation of annual accounts -
Legal costs 1 080 1 080
-
-
Sub total
Payments relating to asset and investment
movements		 49 843 - - - 49 843 -
-
Purchases of fixed assets -
Purchase of investments -
Sub total
Total payments
Net receipts / (payments)
Transfers to / (from) funds
Surplus / (deficit) for year		 - - - - - -
-
49 843 - - - 49 843 -
-
27 869 - - - 27 869 -
-
27 869 - - - 27 869 -
-
Nature andpurpose of funds

Additional notes (2)

December 2007

APPENDIX 2

The Scots Philosophical Association

SC040535

Additional analysis (3)

Receipts
6 Breakdown of restricted funds		 Restricted fund
1 - enter name of
fund below		 Restricted fund
2 - enter name of
fund below		 Restricted fund
3 - enter name of
fund below		 Restricted fund
4 - enter name of
fund below		 Total restricted
funds		 Total restricted
funds last
period
Donations -
Legacies -
Grants -
Receipts from fundraisingactivities -
Gross tradingreceipts -
Income from investments other than land and
buildings		 -
Rents from land & buildings -
Gross receipts from other charitable activities -
Sub total
Receipts from asset & investment sales		 - - - - - -
-
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets -
Proceeds from sale of investments -
Sub total
Total receipts
Payments		 - - - - - -
- - - - - -
-
Expenses for fundraising activities -
Gross trading payments -
Investment management costs -
Payments relating directly to charitable activities -
Grants and donations -
Governance costs: -
Audit / independent examination -
Preparation of annual accounts -
Legal costs -
-
-
Sub total
Payments relating to asset and investment
movements		 - - - - - -
-
Purchases of fixed assets -
Purchase of investments -
Sub total
Total payments
Net receipts / (payments)
Transfers to / (from) funds
Surplus / (deficit) for year		 - - - - - -
-
- - - - - -
-
- - - - - -
-
- - - - - -
-
Nature andpurpose of funds

Additional notes (3)

December 2007

APPENDIX 3

’ Independent examiner s report on the accounts V2

Report to the Charity name trustees/members of Scots Philosophical Association

Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2 Independent examiner’s report on the accountsV2
Charity name
Scots Philosophical Association
Registered charity
number
On the accounts of the
charity for the period
Set out on pages
Respective
responsibilities of
trustees and examiner
Basis of independent
examiner’s statement
Independent examiner’s
statement
Signed:
Name:
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address:**		 SC040535
Period start date Period end date
Day Month Year Day Month Year

1		 09 2024 to
31		 08 2025
(remember to include the page
numbers of additional sheets)
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance
with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the
Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees
consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations
does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section
44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts
Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the
charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks
explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken
do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do
not express an audit opinion on the viewgiven bythe accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1.
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the
requirements:
•
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and
Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
•
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with
Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 18 May 2026
Prof. Ben Colburn
Secretary, Analysis Trust
7 Lindsay Place
Glasgow G12 0HU

*Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. If the words do apply, set out those matters which have come to your attention on the following page.

** OSCR will accept digital or typed signatures

APPENDIX 3

Disclosure section

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose