Welcome to the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements of the National Biodiversity Network Trust, for the year ended 31 March 2026. This document fulfils the Trust's statutory reporting requirements as a charity registered in England and Wales and a company limited by guarantee. A more detailed review of the NBN Trust's activities and achievements through the year can be found in our 2025-26 Impact Report.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing documents, 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 published in October 2019.
The National Biodiversity Network Trust (NBNT, Trust, NBN Trust) is a charity with a bold ambition: to make data work for nature.
Since 2000, as the UK’s biodiversity data backbone, we’ve been making data accessible to inform better decisions about the natural world and connect people with nature. The NBN Atlas, our data portal, is the national biodiversity data infrastructure. Through this we’re ensuring that better data supports better decisions for nature.
Our Vision is:
Nature thriving everywhere, in all its diversity.
Our Mission is:
Making data work for nature.
The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 3 April 2000 and registered as a charity on 25 August 2000. The company was set up under a Memorandum of Association, which established its objectives and powers, and is governed under its Articles of Association (updated November 2018). As set out in the Articles of Association, the charitable Object (purpose) of the NBN Trust is:
To advance, formally and informally, public participation in and public understanding and enjoyment of the conservation of biological resources, together with their sustainable and wise use, by providing public access to biological records, data or information pertaining to the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
The Trust has power to do anything which is calculated to further its Object or is conducive or incidental to doing so. For example, the Trust has power to undertake the following activities (selected articles only, for the full list please refer to the Articles of Association):
1. To facilitate, promote and co-ordinate the collection, compilation, collation, interpretation, pooling and dissemination of biological records;
2. To promote and facilitate the survey and study of biodiversity through biological recording and both disseminate and promote the dissemination of the results of such study and research;
3. Through the provision of services, advice, guidance or other means, develop understanding of how biological data and information can be used to aid decisions taken by others consistent with the Object.
Public benefit
We have had regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.
Our progress and impact
The continued growth in shared records demonstrates the strength of the NBN data partnership model:
335 million biodiversity records shared - directly supporting planning, policy and conservation decisions
35.2 million records added – meaning even more vital data is available
192 organisations sharing data - improving access to more vital information
3,141 new NBN Atlas users registered to use the powerful data and analytical tools available on the NBN Atlas - enabling research, planning and ultimately protection of nature.
2.1 billion records downloaded - demonstrating the demand for accessible, trusted biodiversity data as it is being actively used at scale
143.7 million records shared via GBIF - strengthening the UK’s contribution to global biodiversity knowledge
241 peer reviewed scientific publications - confirming the NBN Atlas as a critical evidence base for research
61 datasets cited in peer-reviewed papers – demonstrating the power of, and need for, accessible data for research.
NBN Atlas Strategy
By making biodiversity data more convenient, accessible, and interoperable, we empower action for nature and amplify the impact of conservation efforts, accelerating progress toward nature’s recovery.
Published in 2025, the first NBN Atlas Strategy sets out how the NBN Atlas will continue to develop as the cornerstone of the UK’s biodiversity data infrastructure, transforming how we understand, protect, and enhance the natural world through data innovation and improved technology.
To achieve this, we are:
Harnessing technological advances to evolve the NBN Atlas into a more powerful, scalable, and user-friendly platform
Accelerating data capture and integration, enabling rapid growth in both the volume and richness of biodiversity data
Leading the community in clarifying data flow pathways and setting robust data standards to ensure data is truly open, accessible, and usable.
The NBN Atlas Strategy is separate from the NBN Trust organisational strategy and was developed in consultation with the NBN Atlas Stakeholder Advisory Group and other key partners, supported by the NBN Atlas Accelerator project.
This work, carried out by the NBN Atlas development team over the last year, has created a more resilient, future-ready platform, able to handle growing volumes of biodiversity data without compromising performance. Faster processing means quicker access to up-to-date information, supporting more timely and informed decisions. At the same time, greater efficiency reduces costs, freeing up resources for innovation and new capabilities.
Enhanced access to records
In May 2025, we introduced Access Controls in response to stakeholder feedback, enabling data partners to share high-resolution biodiversity data securely while keeping public views generalised. This gives authorised users access to more precise data for better research and decision-making, while ensuring providers retain full control over sensitive information. The result is more transparent, secure and collaborative data sharing, which maximises the value of biodiversity data across the UK.
The charity operates within a highly challenging economic environment, characterised by intense competition for government and grant funding, alongside rising operational and inflationary costs driven by external factors. The trustees actively recognise these ongoing financial headwinds and their potential impact on the Trust.
In response to these challenges, the Trust has implemented a range of proactive measures including:
Enhanced Financial Monitoring: Reviewing and ensuring greater clarity on the Trust’s reserves position, cash flow and funding pipeline.
Income Diversification: Placing increased emphasis on alternative funding routes including corporate partnerships and commercial services.
Cost Control Realignment: Undertaking a comprehensive review of operational expenditure.
Refreshed Individual and Organisation membership models: Updating the membership model for individuals from April 2026 and developing a refreshed model for organisational members from April 2027, to improve consistency, transparency, and support for the Trust.
These measures have strengthened financial oversight and resilience, although the Trust remains exposed to material funding uncertainty.
2025 / 2026 financial performance
The Trust's net expenditure was lower than incoming resources, resulting in a positive in-year balance of £11,200. The Trust's total fund balance at 31 March 2026 was £176,229 which will be carried forward into 2026-27.
The Trust is anticipating a balanced year-end position for 2026-27.
Donated Services and Facilities
To calculate donated services, the main consideration was whether the Trust would have paid for the work or services had it not been carried out by another party. Based on these criteria, donated services during 2025-26 were valued at £23,615. These were for tickets to attend events to discuss environmental issues.
Trust reserves
The unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets ('the free reserve') held by the charity at 31 March 2026 amount to £143,236.
The Finance and Audit Committee regularly reviews the free reserve figure and the amount required to meet the Trusts reserve policy which sets out a minimum figure required for an orderly wind up of the Trust. This figure allows for three months of essential expenditure and will vary over time depending on staff levels, and other contractual obligations.
Essential expenditure includes the following;
Salaries to cover contractual requirements and any eligible redundancy payments.
Any liabilities which are due to be paid including for IT, data storage and lease payments.
Windup expenses such as possible legal fees and additional salaries for staff identified as key in winding up the Trust.
As at 1 July 2026, the amount required to run the Trust for three month’s essential expenditure is £146,839.
As of the date of this report, the charity maintains a manageable level of free reserves.
Going concern
Despite the financial headwinds experienced by the Trust, based on current cash projections, pipeline funding opportunities, and our operational cost base, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue to operate for the foreseeable future
Plans for future periods
As we move into 2026/27, our focus is on strengthening the NBN Trust so it can continue to serve the biodiversity data community with confidence.
The current NBN Trust Strategy has been extended to 2028. This gives us the time and discipline to take a phased approach to the next stage of the charity’s development. First, we will stabilise and prepare, whilst working with our members, data partners, funders, and wider stakeholders to build the evidence base for the next strategy. We will then move into delivery with clear priorities, stronger governance, and a sustainable operating model.
Through 2026/27, we will focus on:
Continuing to develop and improve the NBN Atlas, with a focus on resilience, usability, data quality, and secure access to biodiversity data.
Further developing the NBN Record Manager through the Better Biodiversity Data programme, moving from development towards practical implementation with Scottish partners and supporting Scotland’s transition from outdated biodiversity data systems.
Strengthening our relationships with data partners, Local Environmental Records Centres, recording schemes, statutory bodies, researchers, NGOs, and members.
Reviewing our membership scheme and corporate partnership offer, so that more individuals and organisations can support the Trust’s mission and help sustain shared biodiversity data infrastructure.
Continuing to diversify income through grants, trusts and foundations, public fundraising, individual giving, membership, and corporate partnerships.
Improving our internal systems, including the introduction of HR and Customer Ticketing systems, to strengthen people management, wellbeing, governance, and operational control.
Continuing to celebrate and support the recording community, including through the NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording and our role in iNaturalistUK.
Financial resilience will remain a major priority. The NBN Trust is a small charity responsible for infrastructure of national importance. Maintaining that infrastructure requires stable funding, careful prioritisation, and continued support from the organisations and people who rely on biodiversity data. In the year ahead, we will keep making the case for long-term investment while continuing to manage our resources carefully and transparently.
Governance and management
The terms of reference for the Board of Trustees are laid out in the Trust's Rules and Standing Orders. The Board meets at least four times a year to monitor the Trust's performance, agree the strategy and take decisions regarding governance issues and significant strategic matters.
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 P Tomlin (Chairperson) (Appointed 1 June 2021)
Mr D Aslan (Appointed 7 November 2023)
Mr R Cooke (Appointed 7 November 2023)
Dr G Hutton (Appointed 7 November 2023)
Ms A Kershaw (DTC Chairperson) (Appointed 7 November 2023)
Ms L Li (FAC Chairperson) (Appointed 7 November 2023)
Ms E Polychroniadou (Appointed 7 November 2023)
Ms M Rudd (Appointed 1 March 2018)
Ms V Neill (Appointed 21 May 2026)
Dr K Bailey (Appointed 21 May 2026)
Trustees are appointed via open application and a competency-based selection process. Trustees are able to serve two three year terms. In exceptional cases a third term may be agreed by members at the AGM. The AGM is held at the annual NBN Conference in November.
All Trustees and senior members of staff annual update the Declaration of Interest form to notify the Trust of any relationships with related parties.
The Trust has two permanent sub-committees of the board which meet quarterly.
The Finance and Audit Committee (FAC) monitors the Trust's financial position and processes. The Data and Technology Committee (DTC) monitors the Trusts data and technical performance including the NBN Atlas and provides strategic oversite of the Trusts digital roadmap.
The Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the daily operation of the Trust, including (but not restricted to) the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans, financial and team management, stakeholder relations, advocacy, and fundraising.
Risk management
The Trust maintains a Risk Register covering its principal strategic, financial, operational, technological, people, governance, legal, and reputational risks. The Register records inherent and residual risk, key controls, trends, and priority mitigation actions. The Board retains oversight of the full risk portfolio, with the Finance and Audit Committee and Data and Technology Committee providing assurance on risks, or aspects of risks, that fall within their respective terms of reference. The Board receives a summary of principal risks at each meeting, with the full Register reviewed annually and material changes or emerging risks escalated as required. Financial risks are further managed through established delegated authority, budget and cashflow monitoring, reserves oversight, and appropriate authorisation of transactions.
Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel
All Trustees give their time freely and have not received remuneration for time devoted to Trust business in the year. Remuneration of Trustee expenses is detailed within the financial accounts.
Staff pay increases are presented to the Board of Trustees for approval within the annual budget. The board agrees and assesses the Chief Executive Officer’s annual targets, performance, remuneration and any performance related payments.
One employee received total remuneration exceeding £60,000 in 2025-26.
The role of volunteers
We are grateful to our data partners, members, funders, Trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters. The NBN Trust’s impact is collective.
We value the vital contributions of all our data partners enormously. A complete list of those contributing can be found on the NBN Atlas.
Without biological records, we wouldn’t have the information needed to help protect the UK’s wildlife. Without the records we wouldn’t have the NBN Atlas. Without biological recorders, we wouldn’t have any records at all. As a sector, one that is striving for the most current and accurate wildlife information, we owe a huge amount to the community of wildlife recorders and verifiers, most of whom are volunteers, who dedicate their time to observing and recording nature.
We are pleased to be able to celebrate verifiers and recorders, many of whom have dedicated decades to biological recording and verifying, through our annual NBN Awards for Wildlife Recording.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' 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 trustees 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 trustees 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; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees 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. 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.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
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.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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.
NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY NETWORK TRUST is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 27 Old Gloucester Street, Holborn, London, WC1N 3AX.
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 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.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees have reviewed the company’s current financial position, cash flow forecasts, and available resources, and have a reasonable expectation that the trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
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.
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Donations and legacy income is received by way of donations, grants and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity, being the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market.
Investment income is included when receivable.
Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
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.
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the sofa on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis, as set out in the notes to the accounts.
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.
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
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).
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 charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act
1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these applied to its charitable objects.
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.
Pension costs
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company. The annual contributions payable are charged to the statement of financial activities.
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.
Grants receivable
Subscriptions
Raising funds
Donated services and facilities
Project costs
Website development
NBN Atlas Project
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
During the year, expenses totalling £2,189 were reimbursed to trustees (2025: £2,321).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
To calculate donated services, the main consideration was whether the Trust would have paid for the work or services had it not been carried out by another party. Based on these criteria, donated services during 2025-26 totalled £23,615. These were both purchases of tickets to attend the PRI in Person 2025 event and the Climate Action forum to discuss environmental issues and solution finding.
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 charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £42,618 (2025: £41,127).
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.
NBN Atlas Project
These figures represent contributions from the statutory nature conservation bodies to the annual running costs of the NBN Atlas (see expanded lists in above notes 7 and 8).
John Ellerman Foundation
Grant funding of £120,000 has been received from the John Ellerman Foundation, for the period from January 2024 to January 2027. The funding is a contribution to our core costs and will support the following outcomes: the NBN Atlas will be providing enhanced access to UK biodiversity data; we will be better equipped to meet the conservation sector’s changing needs; and we will be a more resilient organisation.
Better Biodiversity Data Project
Funding received from Scottish Government and NatureScot to deliver the Better Biodiversity Data Project (April 2025 to March 2026). The project is a partnership with Local Environmental Records Centres and the Scottish Biodiversity Information Forum, and aims to safeguard and enhance access to Scotland's biodiversity data.
National Education Nature Park
We are a partner in this major project funded by the Department for Education and led by the Natural History Museum. The project aims to make sure every young person in England has opportunities to develop a meaningful connection to nature, understands the concepts of climate change and biodiversity loss, and feels able to do something about it. Our role in the project includes developing resources to help schools utilise iNaturalistUK. The project was funded from January 2023 to August 2025.
NBN Atlas Accelerator Project
The NBN Trust has secured funding from Natural England and the Environment Agency to meet a series of objectives, which include: implementation of high priority, high impact enhancements to the NBN Atlas, and the development of an NBN Atlas Strategy and Route Map. The project runs from January 2024 to March 2025.
Accelerator 2
The project followed on from the New Atlas Accelerator Project, above. It continued the same work and was funded from April 2025 to March 2026.
Commercial (EA Pilot Feasibility)
This was the feasibility work carried out to identify how an onging programme of work would support the Environment Agency in receiving valid data sets from other data partners via the NBN Trust. This was a one-off piece of work funded and carried out in Quarter 1 of 2025/26 financial year.
EA Pilot
The NBN Trust undertook to receive, update and transfer data from a variety of data partners, for use by the Environment agency. This work was carried out between April 2025 and June 2026.
GBIF Node DEFRA
Financial support provided by Defra for the NBN Trust to undertake the role of the manager of the UK GBIF Node and engagement with GBIF. The project ran from April 2025 to March 2026.
INNS
NRW paid the NBN Trust to perform a number of upgrades to the INNS portal on the NBN Atlas Wales. NBN Trust Data Team scoped out this phase of work, focussing on updates to documentation, ease of use and training. The work was carried out in March 2026.
SBIF
This was an RSPB one off contribution to the BBD work to cover staff time to formalise data pathways / accredited pathways. It was used between April 2025 and March 2026.
NENP
This was a second tranche of National Education Nature Park project, see above and runs from September 2025 to March 2027.
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.
Transfer Between Funds
Funds totalling £15,964 have been transferred from unrestricted funds to restricted funds. This is to cover expenditure that exceeded the income in respect of the NBN Atlas Project. Hosting costs were c£19k more in the 2025/26 financial year, offset by the income. The additional costs incurred covered the update to the data pipelines.
National Biodiversity Network Trust is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital. There were 8 members of the company at the year end (2025: 8 members). Every member promises, if the charitable company is dissolved while he or she remains a member or within 12 months afterwards, to pay up to £10 towards the cost of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the Charity while the contributor was a member.
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The Trustees believe there is no controlling party of the charitable company.
BioD Services Limited is a 100% subsidiary of National Biodiversity Network Trust. It is a company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales, company number 04178674.
During the year, BioD Services Limited transferred £Nil to NBN Limited (2025: £499).
As at 31 March 2026 a balance of £818 was owed to NBN Limited by BioD Services Limited. (2025: £4 owed to BioD Services Limited by NBN Limited).
These financial statements are separate charity financial statements for National Biodiversity Network Trust.
Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2026 are as follows:
BioD Services Limited is no longer trading.
NBN Scotland CIC was incorporated on 27 February 2025. The company is a Community Interest Company (CIC), limited by guarantee without share capital. The company has not traded during the period.
The NBN Trust is the agent for the Recorder 6 consortium.
During the year income totalling £2,825 (2025: £10,700) was received in respect of software licences and expenditure totalling £16 (2025: £63) has been incurred.
At 31 March 2026 the balance owing to the Recorder 6 consortium was £Nil (2025: £60,693) as the balance of £63,502 was paid back in full..
The charity had no material debt during the year.