Annual Report of the Chair, Sue John
As I conclude my term as the elected Chair of Council with this AGM and report, I am once again amazed by the dedication of SUT volunteers, who have generously given their time during an incredibly busy year.
A glance at the Society’s events webpage reveals just how active our special interest groups and branches have been, organising a wide range of professional, networking, and social events, from conferences and technical evenings to webinars, podcasts, and the revival of SUT Branches. Over the past year, they've delivered more than 15 training sessions, 32 technical meetings, 25 social events, and 15 conferences/workshops, along with site visits and contributions to SUT publications.
I must also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our volunteer training course presenters. Not only do they deliver our industry-recognised courses, but they also help develop the content, ensure it remains current, and contribute to the delegate programmes. Additionally, I would like to thank the member companies that host site visits for course delegates, as well as for SUT+ and ECOSSIG activities.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to all members who generously give their time and expertise to support the Society in achieving the successes I’ve highlighted. Of course, the SUT’s strength doesn’t lie with volunteers alone—we are also fortunate to have a dedicated team of staff. Their work is crucial to the Society’s future, with staff based across three continents—in Perth, Western Australia; Houston, Texas; and here in the UK. Whether they are managing our finances, promoting events, coordinating memberships, or simply providing support when needed, their efforts ensure the smooth running of the Society’s operations worldwide.
Finance and Accounts
Before approving the 2023-2024 budget, SUT Council members recognised that the 9th OSIG Conference, held in London in September 2023, would generate a significant surplus for the Society. Sponsorship for the event was secured early, starting in the 2022-2023 financial year, and delegate registrations exceeded targets by mid-2023, with the event selling out prior to the registration deadline.
The 2023-2024 accounts also reflect the strong performance of SUT’s training courses, including the Subsea Awareness Course in Aberdeen, the Offshore Wind Course in Newcastle, the OSIG course in Southampton, and the online Metocean course for offshore renewable energy. Each contributed to the Society's surplus.
Additional sponsorship for various SUT events helped keep costs down for members, allowing some events to be free or cost-neutral, with pricing for chargeable events reflecting member benefits. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the sponsors who supported SUT events over the past year.
Conferences
The 9th International OSIG Conference, which had been postponed due to Covid, made a highly successful return in 2023. Thanks to the hard work of the OSIG organising committee, led by Conference Chair Toby Powell, and the support of SUT staff, the event was a sell-out with global attendance. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Mick Cook and Mike Fearn for their efforts in managing the conference finances and securing sponsors, helping to further establish OSIG as a globally recognised brand. A total of 412 abstracts were submitted, with 250 accepted, leading to three full days of presentations to standing-room-only audiences. Plans are already underway for the next OSIG Conference in September 2027.
OSIG was not the only event in 2023/2024. SUT's presence was felt across various conferences and exhibitions, including the Autonomous Marine Technology Conference, SPE Offshore Europe, ADIPEC, the Annual Salvage, Decommissioning and Wreck Removal Workshop in Glasgow, Subsea Expo, Oceanology International, MCE-DD, AOG Perth, Subsea Technology Eastern Mediterranean, All-Energy in Glasgow, and The Combined Naval Event in Farnborough.
Importantly, the Society does not operate in isolation. Throughout the year, we have collaborated with key industry organisations, including the Global Underwater Hub and the International Marine Contractors Association. We also partnered as the Learned Society with RX, DMG, and Endeavour B2B to support major industry events, contributing to their technical programmes and side sessions.
Strategy Working Group
In July 2023, the SUT Council established a limited-term Strategy Working Group (SWG), co-chaired by Ralph Rayner and Nick Swift. The purpose of this sub-committee is to develop a long-term Strategic Framework and Strategic Plan to guide the Society's future growth in service of its members and in line with its charitable aims.
This initiative has brought together international perspectives on key strategic themes, and I extend my thanks to all participants in the working group. There are no quick or simple solutions to the challenges the SUT will face in the coming years, but we eagerly anticipate the completion of the Strategic Framework and look forward to your feedback.
As we approach SUT’s 60th Anniversary in 2026, we encourage members to contribute their ideas for events and meetings. Please share your suggestions with SUT CEO, Cheryl Burgess.
Educational Support Fund
The Society's Educational Support Fund (ESF) awarded scholarships in 2023 to undergraduate and postgraduate students across various disciplines, including engineering and environmental science. Graduating recipients from the 2023-2024 period include Erin Nicholson, Bartol Sikora, Ryan Lin, and Francesca Fehlberg, all of whom are pursuing marine and subsea-related careers.
Awards
The Society remains committed to recognising exceptional contributions to our industry sectors, as well as inspiring achievements.
The inaugural Mick Cook Award for Marine Site Investigation celebrates excellence in marine site investigations and characterisations across the global disciplines of geophysics and geotechnics. This year, the award was presented to Tor Inge Tjelta at the OSIG 2023 conference, where the judging panel acknowledged his innovative contributions to offshore site investigations and geotechnical engineering, highlighting his integrated geological, geophysical, and geotechnical approaches in complex project settings.
The President’s Award was awarded to Ali Hynd, an inspirational teacher at Mintlaw Academy in Aberdeenshire, for his dedication to the school’s ROV club, where students design and build their own remotely operated vehicles. Through his efforts, Ali is helping to nurture the next generation of professionals in robotics and subsea engineering. We commend all teachers whose passion ignites curiosity and encourages students to pursue careers in our beloved industries.
Additionally, the Lennard-Senior Memorial Prize was presented to Professor Deborah Greaves, OBE, at All-Energy in Glasgow, recognising her outstanding individual achievements in the field of Marine Renewable Energy.
Finally, Dr Peter Girguis, a Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Adjunct Oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, received the prestigious Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration at Oceanology International in March 2024. Described by his peers as "the epitome of a deep-sea explorer" and "a man for all ocean seasons," Peter's contributions to ocean exploration are truly commendable.
Communications
The Underwater Technology Podcast, hosted by Martin Stemp and produced by Emily Boddy, continues to deliver engaging and informative episodes for members and those with an interest in underwater technology, marine science, and subsea engineering. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend tuning in—downloads have now exceeded 28,600.
In addition, members have access to our quarterly newsletter, Big Blue World, as well as UT2 and Underwater Robotics magazine. I encourage all members to contribute news, articles on innovation, project updates, or thought pieces for inclusion in Big Blue World.
This year, I would like to recognise the exceptional contribution of one staff member in particular. Our Membership and Finance Officer, Jane Hinton, has just completed 30 years of service with the SUT. Initially joining as a temporary employee, Jane’s potential was quickly recognised, leading to her becoming a permanent and invaluable member of the team. As the key contact for membership enquiries and finance, Jane’s professionalism and meticulous management of the Society’s accounts have been outstanding. While retirement may eventually call, we are fortunate to have her continued dedication and expertise, and we extend our deepest thanks for her remarkable service.
Lastly, I want to express our gratitude to our corporate members, whose sponsorship underpins the efforts of our volunteers. Over the past three years, we’ve seen the Society bounce back from the challenges of the Covid pandemic, launching a new branch in the Eastern Mediterranean and revitalising our Norway branch. Interest in new branches, training courses, and innovations continues to grow, with our Special Interest Groups playing a crucial role in advancing science and technology.
Thank you to all SUT staff, volunteers, corporate members, and sponsors for making this success possible.
The Council Members present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 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 governing document, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) 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).
Introduction
Earlier this year was the 4th anniversary of the start of the Covid pandemic and the ensuing lockdown. It is hard to believe how much our lives changed and how long we will have to live with the longer-term impacts of what happened. Thankfully, the SUT continues to rebound, and our activities and events over this last year are reflective of this return to a more recognizable normality and growth.
Of particular note was the running one of the SUT’s premier events, the 9th edition of the International OSIG Conference “Innovative Geotechnologies for Energy Transition” held in September 2023 in London. I know how much effort goes into organizing this event and making it the success that it is.
In recent years, the SUT Council has been focused on financial matters, then the pandemic, but this was the year when the Council's focus shifted to the future, and how the SUT can embrace the opportunities ahead of it. It is, of course, important that the Council remains reflective of the SUT membership if it is to guide the SUT in the years ahead and ensure the continued vibrancy of the Society.
The Society is principally engaged in the promotion of awareness in all aspects related to underwater technology. Its Mission and Strategic Vision are described as follows:
Mission
The Society for Underwater Technology (SUT) is an international body actively promoting the development, dissemination and exchange of ideas, information and technology arising from or related to the underwater environment.
Strategic Vision
To maintain and develop SUT as the foremost society worldwide focusing on underwater technology, building on a reputation for high standards in publications, conferences and training courses; having a growing membership in the UK and abroad; and having significant influence with government and industry in relevant policy areas, and encouraging people to attain suitable qualifications and enter the field of underwater technology.
In keeping with the Charity Commission's key principles that there must be an identifiable benefit to the public or a section of the public, the Society has undertaken the following activities during this financial year:
• It has supported 45 undergraduate students and 1 post-graduate student on relevant courses at a total cost of £8,500 (2023: £8,800).
• Provided free of charge, to both members and non-members, the most highly acclaimed online magazine in the field of underwater technology and subsea engineering, entitled UT2, and Underwater Robotics.
• Provided 'Big Blue World': the newsletter of the Society for Underwater Technology, free of charge to both members and non-members.
• The Society has provided a free Christmas lecture programme for schools prior to Covid. Once again, in 2024 this has not been possible because of a lack of sponsorship in the local groups and the workload around the Society’s September 2023 OSIG conference. A conference traditionally held every four years, but due to the impact of the Covid pandemic, returning to The Society’s events programme after a five-year break. The Society is exploring developing online lectures for schools and events with schools timed at other points in the academic year, other than at Christmas, and developing these programmes with other like-minded bodies, associations and charities.
• Provided high quality subsidised training courses for industry.
Grants are awarded to high-quality students at either undergraduate or postgraduate (one-year taught MSc) level undertaking courses relevant to the area of interest of the Society with the aim of encouraging more entrants to the marine disciplines.
The description under the headings "Achievements and performance" and "Financial review" meet the company law requirements for the Council Members to present a strategic report.
Strategic Review
In my previous report, it was announced that the SUT was initiating a Strategic Review of the aims and activities of the Society; the purpose of this review is to ensure that the Society is positioned to seize the opportunities resulting from the growth of the ocean economy and ensure the SUT’s continued relevance as a Learned Society in the years ahead.
The SUT Council formed a Strategy Working Group (SWG) to perform the Strategic Review on behalf of the SUT. The primary objective of the SWG has been to guide the SUT’s response to the changes that are occurring across the ocean economy as it transitions in response to pressing environmental, societal and economic challenges, as well as in recognition of the impact of emerging technologies.
Initial deliverables for the SWG are the Strategic Framework and Strategic Plan; to then be followed by an implementation plan. I know Strategy Working Group welcomes the contribution of members and especially our younger members who represent the Society’s future.
Membership
One of the main drivers for the Strategic Review is to ensure that membership of the Society continues to be of value to our members both individual and corporate. We do not take the support of our existing members for granted and need to ensure they continue to see value in their membership.
Individual membership of the SUT experienced growth because of the OSIG conference and the differential conference fees for members and non-members. We hope that individuals joining the SUT for this reason will continue to see value in SUT membership. Corporate membership is steady. However, there is some flux in membership depending on when they renew their membership.
Our recently established special interest groups on Marine Environmental Science and Unexploded Ordnance continue to establish their presence and have developed new members from these sectors including new members from the offshore windfarm operators and representation from SMEs and academia as well as contributing to conference programmes.
Training
This last year has seen the SUT’s in-person training courses re-assert their popularity over virtual options. The added value of physical attendance at training courses is clearly recognised by our members for the greater opportunities to interact with both the course instructors and other attendees. The USP of SUT training courses are the expertise of the presenters together with the courses site visits cannot be under-estimated.
This year, the SUT has run multiple Subsea Awareness Courses as well as the sell-out Introductory courses to Offshore Geophysics & Geotechnical Engineering and the Offshore Wind course. In addition, a training course for Metocean for Renewable Energy was run during the year. The Metocean course is intended to be a regular addition to the SUT training course offering. The strong response to these courses identifies both an ongoing need but also an appreciation of the added benefits of in person courses. Going forward there is space for both virtual and in person training courses to suit audience location and their availability.
Whilst the number of online webinars has prolifarated, the Aberdeen SUT+ and ECOIG have developed their own distincitve offering and regularly attract significant attendee numbers of online attendees.
Awards
This was the first year of the new Mick Cook Marine Site Investigation Award; this award is open all working in the field of marine site investigations and characterisations globally. The award recognises industry professionals who have made a significant contribution to Marine Site Investigation and Characterisation, covering the broad disciplines of Geophysics and Geotechnic. The SUT was pleased to announce Tor Inge Tjelta as the inaugral winner of this prestigious new award.
The President’s Award was shared by Mr Ali Hynd and the ROV Club of Mintlaw Academy. The 2023 President’s Award recognised Ali Hynd as an inspirational teacher and mentor to the ROV Club of Mintlaw Academy showing passion and highlighting the careers potential in the subsea and underwater industries to his students and the acknowledged ROV Club pupils endeavours in building their own ROV along with acquiring the engineering skills that will help students find their careers in the underwater, subsea sector so vital to today’s world.
The Lennard-Senior Prize was presented to Professor Deborah Greaves, OBE FREng, University of Plymouth at All-Energy. The Lennard-Senior Prize is presented in recognition of outstanding individual achievement in the field of Marine Renewable Energy. Professor Greaves was recognised for her remarkable impact on the frontiers of Ocean Engineering and Renewable Energy; in academia and research, work with COAST, Supergen OREHub and the projects focused on technological advances to meet the future clean energy demands.
The Captain Don Walsh Award, a joint award with MTS, was presented at Oceanology International to Dr Peter Girguis, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Adjunct Oceanographer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This award focused on achievement is ocean exploration recognised Dr Girguis’ focus on understanding how marine organisms in the deep-sea have adapted to their habitats and how they respond to a changing world. His pioneering efforts continued with the development of innovative methods to grow the deep-sea microbes that are responsible to keeping methane out of the atmosphere.
A summary of the Society’s accounts and financial statements for 2023-2024 has been included in the Annual Report. SUT acting Honorary Treasurer, Mick Cook, will present The Report and Financial Statements at the Society’s AGM.
The Council Members have given due consideration to the ability of The Society to continue as a going concern.
The Society has returned a surplus of £360,602 for the financial year and at the balance sheet date the net assets of the Society are £689,428. This year has seen an unusually high surplus due to the holding of the 5-yearly OSIG conference. The society is not expected to return a surplus as large next year, and the next OSIG conference will be held in 2027.
The Society’s core income streams have all continued to recover after the impact of the COVID19 pandemic and the trend towards online courses. Membership income has increased by 4.4%; Conferences and Seminars income has achieved 605.1% growth generating £864,613 of income and a £426,634 surplus for the year. Including in this figure is income generated by the OSIG conference of £692,065, and a surplus of £307,898. Conferences and Seminars income is up 40.7% excluding the income generated from OSIG 2023.
We expect the upward trend on core income to continue and The Society continues to meet its minimum reserves policy of holding fifty percent of the expected next year’s expenditure in reserves.
The Members are, therefore, satisfied that the going concern basis remains appropriate.
The Unrestricted Fund at 30 June 2024 amounted to £689,428 compared with an amount of £328,826 at the end of the previous year, including donations and legacies, and after allowing for gains on investments.
A report for the year ending 30 June 2024 from the Educational Support Fund Management is included in this Annual Report. The financial statement regarding the Educational Support Fund appear in note 9 and included as part of the Society’s Charitable Activities in the annual accounts Statement of Financial Activities including Income and Expenditure Account.
There are no formal restrictions on the investments made by the Society.
The Council Members actively review the major risks which the charity faces and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
Financial Risk
The Members remain cautious in terms of the Society's investment strategy and are satisfied they have taken appropriate steps to ensure that reserves are not placed at any undue risk. During the period and at the Balance Sheet date, the majority of balances held at bank were held in either current or deposit accounts with High Street banks. The make-up of fixed asset investments is given in note 17 of the Financial Statements. The majority of these investments are placed in two Charities Official Investment Funds
In the future, the Society plans to completely revitalise and overhaul its website. This will allow for, increased functionality and a more sophisticated system to help the Society manage and oversee the various activities it undertakes. It will enable streamlined communications and transfers of information between branches of the charity, as well as simplifying and enhancing the user experience. The Society expects costs for this to be in the region of £60k to £80k.
The Society has hired a new part-time administrator since the year-end to help with the increasing administrative demands and provision of support across the SUT centre staff and deliverables. There are also tentative plans to increase human resources and staff further in the future, subject to budgetary constraints.
The Society's governing document is the Memorandum and Articles of Association and its full name is the Society for Underwater Technology Limited. The Society is a registered company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
The Council Members, 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:
None of the Members of the Council has any financial interest in the Society that requires disclosure under the Companies Act 2006. For Related Party transactions please see notes 12, 13 and 25.
Council Members are appointed for three years by a ballot among members of the Society (members comprising the classes of Fellow, Individual Member and Corporate Member), and are drawn from among these Members. Candidates must be proposed and seconded by any two other Members. Ballot forms must be sent to Members twenty-eight days before the election, which is by simple majority, and this shall take place seven days before the Annual General Meeting. Those elected shall hold office from the conclusion of this Annual General Meeting. At the end of three years, a Council Member may stand for re-election, but no Member of Council may serve for more than six consecutive years.
New Council Members were previously not provided with a formal induction pack following their election but instead, briefed verbally at the first meeting and individually as requested. However, this has now changed, and Council Members will receive a formal induction pack.
A Board of Trustees (The Council) of up to or similar to 18 members, who meet quarterly, administer the Society. A Chief Executive (CEO), who is not a trustee, is appointed by The Council to manage the day-to-day operations of the Society.
Branches of the Society are established under the authority of Council in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of the Society. They will have their own organising committee with elected officers.
The results of branches of the Society whereby the UK charity either has control, or the branch is not deemed to be administratively autonomous are consolidated in the Financial Statements.
Details of remuneration of key management personnel are disclosed in note 13. Remuneration levels for key management personnel and other employees are set by the Executive Committee, whose members are set out on the information page. The overall gross salary allowance as presented in the budget is then ratified by the full Council.
No funds are held as custodian trustee on behalf of the others.
The Council Members, who are also the directors of Society for Underwater Technology (The) for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Council Members' 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 Council Members to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Council Members are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Council Members 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, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 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.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Anova be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The SUT is concerned not only with ocean and underwater environmental protection, but also with the Society’s own environmental impact as a UK charity.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, SUT staff transitioned to home-based working. Office leases ending in 2021 were not renewed, reducing the Society’s carbon footprint. No longer paying for unoccupied office space, lowered usage of utilities and no longer requiring staff to commute to London are just a few of the positive implications this change has had.
Using less energy is the most important way of reducing carbon emissions, accounting for around a half of the reduction in emissions targeted by 2050. As such, the SUT continues to consider how we incur energy demands, including: consumption in the running of the Society, the use of spaces for SUT events, requirements for the sustainability of the Society and our contribution to net zero targets. To enable this we have increased our use of digital meeting platforms, using partner meeting spaces, public transport is used as much as possible and encouraging recycling whenever possible, both in waste disposal and purchase of new supplies.
Energy efficiency is critical in every aspect of how we obtain, generate and use energy and for all three of the 'trilemma' parameters: decarbonisation, security of supply and affordability.
The Council Members' report, including the strategic report, was approved by the Board of Council Members.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Society for Underwater Technology (The) (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 30 June 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Council Members' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Council Members with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Council Members are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Council Members' report; or
sufficient and proper accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the statement of Council Members' responsibilities, the Council Members, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Council Members determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Council Members are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Council Members either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
We identify and assess risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
- the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance;
- results of our enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;
- any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the charitable company's documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:
- identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
- detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
- the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;
- the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud. In common with all audits we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act and Charities Act 2011.
In addition we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the company's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.
As a result of performing the above, we did not identify any key matters related to the potential risk of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
- reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
- enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
- performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;
- reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, reviewing internal reports and reviewing correspondence with regulators, and;
- in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias and evaluating the business rationale for any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indication of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Other matters
It should be duly noted that the financial statements of the prior period are unaudited and thus the corresponding figures in this years' financial statements are unaudited.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Anova is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
Society for Underwater Technology (The) is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2-4 Packhorse Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 7QE.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), Charities Act 2011, Companies Act 2006, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.
Society for Underwater Technology meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
The legal and actual status of affiliated operations is periodically assessed by the charity. As a result the charity concludes that the operations in Perth (Australia), Houston (USA), Melbourne (Australia), West Africa, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Singapore and Beijing (China) do not qualify as subsidiaries under the Companies Acts 2006 or as branches under the guidance laid out by the Charities SORP (FRS 102). The detailed review of the constitutions and operations concluded that they are administratively autonomous and should therefore not be consolidated. The Society for Underwater Technology Norway NUF was established as a Norwegian branch of a foreign enterprise (NUF). The constitution of this operation varies from those mentioned above and it qualifies as a branch under the Charities SORP (FRS 102) as a result is treated as a subsidiary. The Society has taken advantage of the exemption from preparing group accounts as per SORP FRS102 S.24.6 Appendix 3 A.11.
The presentation currency is £ Sterling rounded to nearest £1.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Council Members have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Council Members continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The Society has returned a surplus of £360,602 (2023: £36,037) for the financial year and at the balance sheet date the net assets of the Society are £689,428 (2023: £328,826).
The Society's core income streams have remained consistent with the prior year, with a one-off, exceptional amount being recognised in the current year courtesy of the 5-yearly OSIG conference, which took place in September 2023.
Total income for the society is expected to return to more routine levels next year, with the next 5-yearly OSIG conference scheduled to take place in 2027, however, we expect to see the regular income streams continue on their steady, upwards trend.
The members are therefore satisfied that the going concern basis remains appropriate.
Unrestricted general funds
These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.
Designated general funds
The Society has designated general funds which it applies to the provision of the awards made to students. Monies that are designated by the Council Members can be moved back within the unrestricted general funds should the Council Members so decide.
Restricted funds
These funds can only be used for this purpose within the objects of the Society. The Society's restricted funds were all fully expended during the year and, therefore, there is no fund analysis relating to balance sheet values at the year end.
Cash donations and voluntary income 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.
Membership subscriptions are accounted for on a receivable basis and events income is included when receivable.
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.
Grants payable are charged against income upon approval of the grant, in so far as the grant is payable from current resources.
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:
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.
Investments are valued at the prevailing market price as at the Balance Sheet date. Realised and unrealised gains (or losses) are reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they occur. No distinction is made between realised and unrealised gains in the Statement of Financial Activities as the Trustees consider that the disclosure of total gains/losses show a truer and fairer view.
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).
Stock is valued at the lower of net realisable value and cost. Cost is valued on a first in first out basis.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the Balance Sheet date. Transactions are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. All exchange differences are reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Redundancy payments
Redundancy payments due to employees for termination of employment during the year are fully recognised in the current financial year.
Government grants receivable
Government grants are recognised when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and that the grants will be received.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Council Members 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.
None of the Council Members (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
Council members were re-imbursed for expenditure relating to the activities of the society, totalling £3,428. The total balance owed to council members at the balance sheet date was £182.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
All investments have been revalued at the balance sheet date based on the market value at that date. The historical cost of the investments is: Listed investments £2,106 (2023: £2,106) and Charities Official Investment Fund £39,659 (2023: £39,659).
Income is deferred when it has been either invoiced or received in the current financial year, but relates to future periods.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The Education Support Fund was established to provide educational grants to students. The original restricted funds have all been expended. The Society continues to collect small amounts for the fund during the year at events and through the Just Giving platform. the amounts collected during the year are fully expended during the year.
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.
In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Fellows, Individual Members and Corporate Members (but not Associate Members and Student Members) are deemed to be Members of the Society within the context and as such have a limited liability of £5 per member in the event of the Society being wound up.
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The total amount of income received without conditions from trustees during the year was £252 (2023: £1,286).
Transactions with trustees are disclosed in note 12.
Key management personnel remuneration is disclosed in note 13.
There are no other disclosable related party transactions during the year.
The charity had no material debt during the year.