The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
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 Society'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 objects of the Federation are to promote the free exchange of information between all those engaged in the science of surveying at sea and related sciences. The Federation acts as an international voice for the hydrography community and its professional individuals and fosters the establishment and growth of new national societies.
The objectives of this charitable company are met by:
the publication of technical Special Publications, collections of papers and proceedings, IFHS News, other relevant information including web-based services and social media.
the organisation of specialist seminars and technical workshops and providing opportunities for interaction and exchange of information through international symposia, including the 'Hydro' conference series.
promoting improved education and training for those engaged in or intending to engage in hydrography through the distribution of information, and educational awards.
promoting the recognition of individual professional path through a multinational accreditation scheme (HPAS).
The national societies provide similar services of relevance to their individual members.
The trustees (who are also directors of the International Federation of Hydrographic Societies for the purposes of company law) have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on Public Benefit as required by the Charities Act 2011 and the above activities are believed to fulfil the Public Benefit requirements of the Federation.
Strategic decisions affecting the Federation are made by the Executive Committee (also named Board of Directors) through their representation of National Society Members. The Board is composed of representative members from the full member Societies. There are currently no Affiliate Members registered.
During the 2025-2026 year, IFHS continued to expand and promote its professional accreditation scheme (HPAS). An HPAS webinar held on 22 September 2025 attracted 125 registrations followed by a further webinar on 16 March 2026 with 53 attendees, with plans to market in a more focused way via Linkedin going forward. A new HPAS Panel Chair began transition into the role during the year, ahead of formally taking over in 2026. New engagement with organisations regarding embedding HPAS as their competency framework was noted, alongside an ongoing pilot to accredit junior surveyors and early discussions with Universities to offer HPAS-related lectures.
The HPAS Education and Engagement Working Group (HWG), established in the prior year, became more operational during 2025-2026. Its Terms of Reference were finalised and passed, with its first full meeting in April 2026, focused on university outreach and engaging early adopters in industry. A decision was also taken that all student members of all IFHS member societies would automatically be granted free HPAS Affiliate membership, to strengthen the pipeline between student membership and professional accreditation.
The 'Hydro' conference series remained central to IFHS's activities and finances. Hydro 25 was successfully hosted by THS-UKI in Liverpool from 28-30 October 2025, attracting approximately 260 delegates, considerably above the estimate, with feedback described as overwhelmingly positive; lessons learned on marketing and communications are being shared with future hosts.
Planning progressed for Hydro 26, to be hosted by the Hydrographic Society of Benelux (HSB) in Antwerp, Belgium from 27-29 October 2026, with venue and naval demonstration support confirmed. Discussions continued regarding Hydro 27 hosting by the Hydrographic Society of South Africa (HSSA) identifying Cape Town, South Africa as the priority venue with a final decision made in July, for this to go ahead. The Board conducted a review of Hydro event frequency during the year, ultimately reaching consensus to retain the annual model, while agreeing to centralise practical support for host societies, including standardised website templates, shared marketing tools, a central co-financing framework, and the possible creation of a dedicated Organising Secretary role.
Membership recruitment and engagement remained a priority, with the per capita subscription fee maintained at £12 for the year following review at the AGM. International outreach continued with Brazilian (SBHidro) and Argentinian contacts regarding HPAS certification and potential membership, and with Portuguese contacts regarding eventual IFHS affiliation. Discussions also continued regarding the Australasian Hydrographic Society (AHS). AHS was reported to be strongly considering rejoining IFHS.
In terms of governance and appointments, David Vincentelli (AFHy) continued as Chair, Eric Langlois (AFHy) continued as Honorary Treasurer, and Thomas Dehling (DHyG) confirmed he would step down as Chair of the German Hydrographic Society following board elections at Hydrographentag, but agreed to remain as IFHS Vice Chair for the remainder of his current (and final) term, with the incoming DHyG Chair remaining on the IFHS Board to ensure continuity. Simpkins Edwards LLP was reappointed as the Society's accountants for the year, and Foot Anstey's engagement as registered office service provider was renewed for a further three-year term. Mark Schreiber (South Africa) resigned during the year, on 26 September 2025.
The IFHS Student Award continued to encourage academic excellence, DHyG submission was awarded 1st place and THS-UKI awarded 2nd place for 2025. Over the course of the year the Board developed a proposal for an enhanced, tiered Student Award structure, combining cash prizes with travel support to attend Hydro conferences, and including a waiver of the winner's first HPAS application fee. The existing structure remains in place for the 2026 award cycle, until the new model was properly budgeted for.
The net surplus for the year was £29,808 (2025: £14,043). There are accumulated funds brought forward of £104,990, thus leaving a balance of reserves of £134,798 to carry forward within the Federation. This consists of £98,883 unrestricted funds and £35,915 restricted funds.
Income from Hydro conferences during the year was £41,726 (2025: £25,507).
The Board's proposal to move from NatWest bank was agreed in principle in September 2025, and had not completed by year end, and the search for a suitable alternative was ongoing.
Use of the £34,000 Restricted Education Fund, which the Board agreed in principle to begin deploying, was undergoing a formal feedback consultation from all member societies as of the March 2026 Board meeting.
The policy of the charity is that unrestricted funds, which have not been designated for a specific purpose, should be maintained at a level equivalent to at least two times its annual operating costs - currently £25,000. This policy will allow the Federation a reasonable time frame in which to find additional funding, or wind up the charity, if the need should arise and also makes allowance for the occasional failure of a Hydro conference (run by member societies) to raise the expected funds for IFHS or a year in which a Hydro conference does not take place.
Under the memorandum and articles of association the charitable company has the power to make any investment which the trustees see fit.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Society is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The International Federation of Hydrographic Societies is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The Federation's governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended by a special resolution dated 1 November 2004.
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 and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
National Society Directors are appointed by the relevant Societies in accordance with their own
constitutions.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of International Federation of Hydrographic Societies (the Society) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Society 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 Society’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 Society 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.
International Federation of Hydrographic Societies is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 3rd Floor, 2 Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0EL.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Society'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 is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Society has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Society. 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.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Society 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 financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are to provide assistance specifically for student hydrographic surveyors.
Income is recognised when the Society 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.
Income is deferred only when the charitable company has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period. Membership subscriptions relate to the period 1 October to 30 September, thus 50% of income receivable is deferred each year.
Interest is included when receivable by the Federation.
Income received in respect of advertising in publications, stands at exhibitions or similar income is recognised within incoming resources in the period in which the title is published, the exhibition takes place or on such other basis as is applicable to the income concerned.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets comprise the creation of the Hydrographic Professional Accreditation Scheme (HPAS) documentation for courses designed to be of industry standard for those working in the hydrography field.
Amortisation 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:
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.
At each reporting end date, the Society reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible 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).
The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Investments
Prizes
Accountancy
Bank charges
Miscellaneous
Registered office charge
Travel expenses
Subscriptions
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The deferred income represents 50% of subscriptions paid during the year in respect of future periods.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of charitable activities and investments which are not subject to specific conditions from these sources as to how they may be used.
Sufficient funds are held in an appropriate form to enable each fund to fulfil its objectives.