The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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).
The Society’s objective is to advance the science and practice of technical cardiology and related disciplines through the promotion of high standards in education, training and professional practice.
In setting the Society’s activities, the trustees have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
During 2025, the Society continued to deliver a comprehensive programme of education, training and assessment to support healthcare professionals working within cardiac science.
A significant volume of work underpinning these activities is undertaken by volunteers, including curriculum development, teaching delivery, examination writing and marking. The trustees acknowledge and thank all contributors for their ongoing commitment.
The Board met regularly throughout the year, primarily via virtual meetings, to oversee operations and progress strategic priorities. Engagement with key sector organisations continued, including the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS), the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS), British Cardiovascular Society (BSC), United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and professional groups within cardiology, British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) and British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS). Collaboration also remained strong with specialist societies, supporting the advancement of the profession.
The monthly “Equivalence Sessions” continued to support members seeking recognition as Clinical Scientists, with consistently positive feedback from participants.
The annual conference, held in November in Birmingham, saw increased attendance and continued to provide a platform for professional learning and networking. The event was supported by industry partners and featured a range of expert speakers covering current and emerging topics.
Networking meetings were also held for professionals undertaking the doctoral “consultant” level development course, offering support throughout the programme and identifying opportunities for the society to better assist its members. This has contributed to increased membership and enhanced active engagement within the society.
Administrative support continued to be provided by Tangled Web, contributing to the ongoing development of member services and digital resources.
Progress has been made in strengthening representation across the devolved nations. Work is ongoing to establish a revised structure in Northern Ireland, with plans to align governance arrangements and ensure appropriate use of funds for regional benefit. Expanding representation across all nations remains a priority for 2026.
The Society’s financial position strengthened further during 2025, supported by continued demand for its educational programmes and the efficient delivery of activities through a combination of virtual and in-person formats.
The Foundation and Diploma courses remained key contributors to income.
Overall, the charity reported a net surplus of £11,333 (2024: £7,950 deficit), with cash reserves increasing to £348,426 (2024: £343,263). Course fees totalling £26,910 were collected in 2025 in relation to courses taking place in 2026 and so this income has been deferred in the accounts.
Expenditure remained well controlled. The continued use of virtual meetings reduced travel and accommodation costs, although expenditure related to the annual conference increased in line with its growth. Opportunities to expand sponsorship and offset costs are being pursued.
Membership management, including direct debit processing, has been migrated to a new platform to improve user experience and efficiency, while providing the society with greater control going forward.
No financial activity was recorded during the year for the Scottish and Northern Irish branches. Society continues to pursue a centralised accounting system across all nations, with funds allocated for use by members within the devolved nations. It seeks to close accounts for the Northern Irish and Scottish branches.
The Society’s reserves policy is to maintain unrestricted funds equivalent to between 12 and 18 months of normal operating expenditure. The trustees consider the current level of reserves to be appropriate.
The trustees have reviewed the principal risks facing the charity and are satisfied that appropriate systems and controls are in place to mitigate these risks.
Education Committee Report
The Education Committee continued to oversee the development and delivery of the Society’s educational portfolio, ensuring that courses and examinations remain relevant, high quality and aligned to professional requirements.
During 2025, a hybrid model of delivery was maintained, combining virtual and face-to-face learning. This approach has improved accessibility while retaining opportunities for in-person engagement.
The use of Pearson VUE as an examination provider is now well established, enabling candidates to sit assessments at locations convenient to them, both within the UK and internationally.
The course and exam offering is continuing to expand, with plans in place to deliver a cath lab course and examination in early 2026.
Plans for future periods
The Society will continue to focus on enhancing education, training and professional standards within cardiac science.
Key priorities for 2026 include:
Expansion of the course portfolio, including the introduction of the Cath Lab course and examination
Increasing course capacity and accessibility, including subsidised opportunities for members
Further development of digital delivery methods to meet growing demand
Continued growth of the annual conference and wider events programme
Expansion of webinars and virtual learning opportunities
Strengthening representation across the devolved nations
The Society remains committed to representing and supporting professionals within cardiac science and to advancing recognition of the discipline at a national level.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity under the Charities Act 2011. The charitable company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charity was incorporated as a company on 30 November 1965 and registered by the Charities Commission on 4 September 1980.
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:
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Society for Cardiac Science and Technology Ltd (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 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. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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 financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The Society for Cardiac Science and Technology Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit H, 2nd Floor Offices, 40 Murdock Road, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 4PP.
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 £.
At the time of approving the accounts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees' continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.
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.
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.
Expenses are included in the financial statements as they are incurred. Expenses include VAT where applicable as the charity cannot reclaim it.
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.
Branches
Where the branches of the society also hold funds, the accounting transactions of those branches are included in the accounts.
Taxation status
The company is a Charity within the provision of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and hence no Corporation Tax is payable.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors 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.
Subscriptions, ECG manual sales, meetings, examination and course fees
Badge and ECG manual costs
Examination expenses
Clerical assistance
Printing and stationery
Postage
Accountancy
Professional fees
Charitable activities includes £4,086 (2024: £3,540) of accountancy costs for independent examination fees.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.
Seven trustees were reimbursed a total of £3,483 for expenses during the year (2024: £3,316). These costs covered £2,230 travel expenses (2024: £1,865), £398 accommodation and subsistence expenses (2024: £552), and £854 reimbursement for out of pocket expenses (2024: £899). One trustee was also reimbursed £1,200 for services provided in relation to diploma delivery and support costs.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
Material other expenditure includes rent and bank charges.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The deferred income balance as at the year end represents income received in advance for events such as courses and examinations which have not taken place in the current period.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations, grants and other income 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.
There were no related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).