Charity registration number 1194644
Company registration number 12637530 (England and Wales)
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr A J E Hickman
Mr G D M Thomas
Dr T T Magadzire
(Appointed 19 January 2023)
Dr V R Clark
Charity number
1194644
Company number
12637530
Registered office
Poores Cottage
Wilsford
Pewsey
Wiltshire
SN9 6HB
Independent examiner
David Owen & Co
126 High Street
Marlborough
Wiltshire
SN8 1LZ
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 4
Independent examiner's report
5
Statement of financial activities
6
Balance sheet
7
Notes to the financial statements
8 - 14
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 1 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.

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 governing document, 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

The charity's objects are the preservation, conservation and restoration of the environment, with regard to the protection of vulnerable mountain systems in Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and their ability to provide water catchment services to millions of people. The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are:

 

  1. Purchasing, installing and maintaining international standard scientific equipment and research infrastructure to enable long-term social-ecological research and data collection;

     

  2. Using this data to improve sustainable mountain development policy-making and conservation programmes at national and regional levels;

     

  3. Supporting growth of the community of practice of mountain scientists in southern Africa.

 

There has been no change in these during the year.

The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

The Charity's activities within each area during the year and up to date of signing this report have been as follows:

 

Purchasing, installing and maintaining international standard scientific equipment and research infrastructure to enable long term social-ecological research and data collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 2 -

Generating data which can be collected and distributed to interested parties to ultimately improve sustainable mountain development policy-making and conservation programmes at national and regional levels.

 

The data that our weather stations generate is uploaded automatically to the portal. Here you can see air temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, humidity, rainfall and evaporation. The information updates every two minutes. The historical data is also available to download - a set of hourly or daily figures.

 

.

Our Bvumba Mountain Portal

 

AMRF's data will illuminate how climate change is degrading the vital mountain systems of the semi-arid SADC region. It is available on an open access basis to interested parties including national governments and meteorological offices, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, UNESCO, universities from across the SADC and the rest of the world and international research organisations such as the Mountain Research Initiative.

 

The data we are generating in Zimbabwe are being used by the following organisations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 3 -

Supporting the growth of the community of practice of mountain scientists across Southern Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

Financial review

The charity has total reserves of £48,126 (2022 - £35,243) of which £17,321 are free reserves at 30 June 2023. The trustees will keep the level of reserves held by the charity under review.

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months operating expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was given charitable status on 1 June 2020.

AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 4 -

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

 

Mr A J E Hickman
Mr G D M Thomas
Prof M F Price
(Resigned 21 February 2023)
Dr T T Magadzire
(Appointed 19 January 2023)
Dr V R Clark

New trustees are appointed by the current trustees.

 

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

 

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

Mr A J E Hickman
Trustee
15 March 2024
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- 5 -

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of African Mountain Research Foundation (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

Independent examiner's statement

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

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; 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 applicable to charities preparing their accounts 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.

David Owen & Co
126 High Street
Marlborough
Wiltshire
SN8 1LZ
Dated: 15 March 2024
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 6 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
34,114
55,895
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
1,659
5,659
Charitable activities
5
19,572
18,637
Total expenditure
21,231
24,296
Net income and movement in funds
12,883
31,599
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 July 2022
35,243
3,644
Fund balances at 30 June 2023
48,126
35,243

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

AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
30 JUNE 2023
30 June 2023
- 7 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
30,805
15,319
Current assets
Debtors
11
984
9,676
Cash at bank and in hand
17,882
11,557
18,866
21,233
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
12
1,545
1,309
Net current assets
17,321
19,924
Total assets less current liabilities
48,126
35,243
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
48,126
35,243
48,126
35,243

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 June 2023.

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

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and with FRS 102 Section 1A.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 15 March 2024
Mr A J E Hickman
Trustee
Company registration number 12637530 (England and Wales)
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 8 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

African Mountain Research Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Poores Cottage, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 6HB. Poores Cottage, Wilsford, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 6HB.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Charitable funds

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

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

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
1.3
Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

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

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -
1.4
Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

 

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

1.5
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Plant and equipment
10 years
Computers
33% Straight Line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.6
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.7
Cash and cash equivalents

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

1.8
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 10 -
Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.9
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.10
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Donations and gifts
34,114
55,895
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 11 -
4
Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Advertising
-
200
Other fundraising costs
-
3,800
-
4,000
Trading costs
Depreciation and impairment
1,659
1,659
Total costs
1,659
5,659
5
Charitable activities
Charitable Expenditure

Charitable Expenditure

2023
2022
£
£

Travelling

-
1,114

Site security costs

1,275
-
1,275
1,114
Share of support costs (see note 6)
15,340
15,308
Share of governance costs (see note 6)
2,957
2,215
19,572
18,637
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 12 -
6
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2023
Support costs
Governance costs
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Staff costs
14,645
-
14,645
14,534
-
14,534
Depreciation
194
-
194
195
-
195

Administration costs

501
-
501
579
-
579
Accountancy
-
2,051
2,051
-
1,200
1,200

Bank charges

-
120
120
-
160
160

Insurance

-
786
786
-
855
855
15,340
2,957
18,297
15,308
2,215
17,523
Analysed between
Charitable activities
15,340
2,957
18,297
15,308
2,215
17,523
7
Trustees

Employment costs relate to payments made to Mrs C Hickman, wife of the main trustee, for her services to the charity.

 

No other trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

8
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023
2022
Number
Number
1
1
Employment costs
2023
2022
£
£
Wages and salaries
14,400
13,800
Social security costs
-
530
Other pension costs
245
204
14,645
14,534
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
9
Taxation

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

AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 13 -
10
Tangible fixed assets
Plant and equipment
Computers
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 July 2022
16,590
583
17,173
Additions
17,339
-
17,339
At 30 June 2023
33,929
583
34,512
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 July 2022
1,659
195
1,854
Depreciation charged in the year
1,659
194
1,853
At 30 June 2023
3,318
389
3,707
Carrying amount
At 30 June 2023
30,611
194
30,805
At 30 June 2022
14,931
388
15,319
11
Debtors
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
-
9,676
Prepayments and accrued income
984
-
984
9,676
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
2022
£
£
Other taxation and social security
67
109
Accruals and deferred income
1,478
1,200
1,545
1,309
AFRICAN MOUNTAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
- 14 -
13
Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 July 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 30 June 2023
£
£
£
£
General funds
35,243
34,114
(21,231)
48,126
Previous year:
At 1 July 2021
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 30 June 2022
£
£
£
£
General funds
3,644
55,895
(24,296)
35,243
14
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year other than those already included in note 7.

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