RNIB Group annual report and accounts 2016/17 1 2 RNIB Group Annual report and financial statements 2016/17 Contents 4 Chair and Chief Executive Officer introduction 40 Financial Statements 6 Trustees’ Report (incorporating 40 Independent auditors’ report to the Strategic Report) Trustees of Royal National Institute of Blind People 7 Structure, governance and management 44 Group statement of financial activities for the 10 Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities year ended 31 March 2017 11 Statement of public benefit 48 Group and RNIB balance sheets as at 31 March 2017 12 Our strategy and business plan 50 Group cash flow statement for the 14 Our values year ended 31 March 2017 15 Achievements, performance and future plans 52 Notes to the financial statements 24 Financial review for the year ended 31 March 2017 31 Fundraising review 117 Thank you to our supporters, partners and volunteers 34 Principal risks and uncertainties 121 Who’s who at RNIB 36 Employee engagement 126 Contact details 38 Health, safety, environment and compliance 3 Chair and Chief Executive Officer introduction Transforming RNIB for We also made the bold move to As a result, RNIB is changing into a very the future transform the RNIB group of charities. different organisation. One that’s fit for This saw the merger of Action for Blind the future and is ready to step up to the It’s been a year of great change at RNIB: People and RNIB Charity teams into one demands we face. a year of challenges, transformation, charity under the RNIB name, from 1 growth and learning. April 2017. Managing growth Our biggest challenge has been the urgent need to modernise at the same Financial Transformation Plan Despite the many challenges we’ve taken time as securing a sustainable financial on this year, we are still growing. The future. This will prepare us for the rapidly We have recognised that our financial number of direct customers is up by 12 changing needs of an increasing number trajectory was not sustainable and per cent since last year to 107,000. Our of blind and partially sighted people. It’s we have implemented a Financial Connect community has connected and a challenge we’ve tackled head on. Transformation Plan which will engaged with 28,700 people and we’ve safeguard a sustainable future for RNIB. developed community ideas such as “How I See” and “The Cane Explained”. A 360‑degree approach An organisation ready for To put us in the best position to meet the future Listening to our customers, this increased demand, we’ve looked challenging the status quo at every aspect of our organisation This is just the start. We’re introducing and created a wide‑ranging new ways of working, alongside new We’ve listened to the issues blind transformation programme. This systems and technology. Investing in our and partially sighted people feel are has included an overhaul of our people and the community of blind and important and worth highlighting. structures, strategy and financial partially sighted people is key. This will And, as ever, our volunteer community management to make sure they dramatically increase the opportunities campaigners continued to challenge deliver everything we need. to give and receive support. government, health and local 4 RNIB Group Annual report and financial statements 2016/17 authorities, and transport operators Preparing for the next to do better, pushing them to make 150 years the world a more inclusive place for someone living with a sight condition. Our transformation and growth continues. We’re looking forward to our 150‑year anniversary in 2018, when Supporting people with sight we’ll celebrate and thank the generous loss every day individuals and organisations across the UK who make all our work possible. Our sight loss advisers (also known as ECLOs or Eye Clinic Liaison Officers) Our commitment to our ambition have supported 20,900 people in eye remains as strong as ever: to make Sally Harvey, Chief Executive clinics. That’s a nine per cent increase every day better for everyone affected Officer since last year. With help from our UK by sight loss. Advice Service, 16,200 customers have claimed over £29 million in benefits. And This Trustees’ Report explains what we’ve helped over 200 people with sight we’ve done, the impact we’ve had loss to find new jobs, while supporting and our plans for next year, along with another 700 to stay in work. our financial statements. We’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this report and for your continuing Encouraging people to look support of RNIB. after their eyes We’ve reached hundreds of thousands of new people with important messages about looking after their eyes by promoting regular sight testing, in partnership with Specsavers in the press Kevin Carey, Chair and on TV. Our eye health information website pages have seen a leap in the number of visitors to 1.37 million – that’s a 36 per cent increase in one year. 5 Trustees’ Report (incorporating Strategic Report) Trustees’ Report (incorporating Strategic Report) The Royal National Institute of Blind includes three wholly owned trading People (RNIB) Trustees’ report and subsidiaries: RNIB Enterprises Limited; the audited Group and RNIB financial RNIB Services Limited; and MPH statements have been prepared in Accessible Media Limited. accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting Contact details, together with details of and Reporting by Charities 2015, the the Trustees and advisers, can be found Financial Reporting Standard applicable on pages 121 to 126 and form part of in the United Kingdom and Republic of the Trustees’ Report. Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act. The Trustees’ Report includes a This report covers the work of the RNIB Strategic Report. In approving the group of charities throughout the UK, Trustees’ Report, the Board of Trustees which includes Action for Blind People has also approved the Strategic Report. (Action), RNIB Charity, Cardiff Institute for the Blind (CIB), BucksVision, and RNIB Specialist Learning Trust. These charities are responsible for delivering the charitable activities of the Group. The Group also includes four shell charities: National Library for the Blind; The Talking Newspaper Association of the United Kingdom (NTNM); Blind Centre for Northern Ireland; and Glynn Vivian Home of Rest for the Blind. In addition, the Group 6 RNIB Group Annual report and financial statements 2016/17 Structure, governance and management Our legal structure RNIB is governed by a Trustee Board. they are provided with information on The Trustee Board meets a minimum the key services provided by RNIB and The Royal National Institute of Blind of four times a year and makes all the main challenges and policy issues People (RNIB) is a registered charity, important strategic, policy and financial facing us. Each Trustee receives an number 226227 in England and decisions, and has overall responsibility annual appraisal, during which any Wales, number SC039316 in Scotland for RNIB activities. individual training needs are identified. and number 1226 in the Isle of Where collective training needs are Man. Established in 1868, RNIB was In 2016/17, of those serving on the established, these are delivered to the incorporated under Royal Charter in Board, six Trustees were nominated Board as a whole. 1949, with a Supplemental Charter and appointed by RNIB Charity, and four in 1993 (revised in 2007 and 2014). Trustees were nominated and appointed by Action. Two independent Trustees Between 1 September 2015 and were appointed by the Board itself. 31 March 2017, the RNIB group of charities was structured so Trustees may serve a term of office that RNIB Charity and Action for of up to three years, with their terms Blind People, both subsidiaries of normally aligned to their term on the RNIB, focused on customer service appointing charity. A Trustee can serve delivery; while support functions for no more than three consecutive were amalgamated in RNIB to ensure terms of three years, other than in efficiency for all member charities. the case of an Honorary Officer (RNIB The latter stages of 2016/17 were Group Chair, Vice‑Chairs or Honorary spent planning for completion of Treasurer) in exceptional circumstances the group restructuring process approved by the Board. An induction for implementation in 2017/18 pack is provided to all new Trustees, (see note 27). and they are invited to attend an intensive induction day, during which 7 Trustees’ Report (incorporating Strategic Report) How we are managed • Investment Committee: overseeing Executive up to 31 December 2016: the effective investment of funds • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) During 2016/17, the key committees for RNIB on behalf of the Board. The • Managing Director, Places (RNIB that supported the Board were as same committee acts in an advisory Charity) role on the effective investment follows, with a description of their areas • Managing Director, Solutions (RNIB of responsibility: of funds to the Trustees of the RNIB Retirement Benefits Scheme, Charity) • RNIB Group Audit and Risk although under a separate remit • Chief Executive, Action for Blind People Committee: overseeing effective • Remuneration Committee: auditing, financial reporting, internal reviewing the salaries for the Chief • Group Director, Engagement controls and risk management Executive Officer (CEO) and Group • Group Director, Fundraising • Fundraising Committee: supporting Directors and other relevant matters, • Group Director, People the delivery of the strategic priorities such as the general position relating • Group Director, Resources. and outcomes in the RNIB Group to remuneration at RNIB (including Strategy 2014/19, by developing approving general pay increases), fundraising strategies and advising and reviewing whether it is in the on key issues relating to their interests of RNIB to pay or contract implementation with Trustees or connected persons • Governance Committee (and for the provision of services to Nominations Committee): taking the organisation, rather than any an overview of the governance other company.