GINGKO
GINGKO works to improve mutual understanding between the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the West. We fund and publish innovative research into the history, art history and religions of the MENA region. We bring together people from MENA and the West for transformative interfaith and intercultural encounters.
Objects
TO ADVANCE EDUCATION CONCERNING THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA) REGION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity holds unrestricted free reserves of £1,768,136, which significantly exceed its stated policy target of £100,000. The accounts state that resources are adequate to continue as a going concern, with sufficient funds to cover expected income and expenditure for the next 12 months.
What the accounts disclose
“The trustees aim to hold cash reserves of £100,000.” — page 11
“Only one of the trustees received remuneration, reimbursement, or other employment-related benefits from the Trust during the year. Julie Siddiqi received £500 for professional services provided to the charity during the year (2024: £nil) and was reimbursed £475.04 in expenses for travel costs (2024: £500).” — page 21
“Dr Barbara Schwepcke is also the Director of Armchair Traveller Ltd, a company that provides distribution services and storage for all Titles the Charity publishes at cost price.” — page 24
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Investment
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2023)
Trustees
- HARRY WILLIAM LOWTHER HALLchair
- Dr BARBARA SCHWEPCKE
- Dr Georgios Manginis
- Dr Melanie Gibson
- Julie Margaret Siddiqi MBE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £397k | £328k |
| 31/12/2024 | £303k | £321k |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.4m | £312k |
| 31/12/2022 | £175k | £290k |
| 31/12/2021 | £494k | £251k |
Common questions
Is GINGKO financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity holds unrestricted free reserves of £1,768,136, which significantly exceed its stated policy target of £100,000. The accounts state that resources are adequate to continue as a going concern, with sufficient funds to cover expected income and expenditure for the next 12 months. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds GINGKO?
Funders whose own accounts filings name GINGKO as a grant recipient include ALTAJIR TRUST.
Shared trustees with funders
- Dr Melanie Gibson — trustee here and at ALTAJIR TRUST
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALTAJIR TRUST | FY2025 | £5k |