As adopted at the ESU London Branch AGM on Wednesday, 17 January 2024 at Dartmouth House and on Zoom
Welcome to the 2023 Annual Report for the London Branch of the ESU. London is the largest branch of the ESU in England and Wales; the ESU being an international membership organisation with a charitable purpose. The ESU was founded in 1918 by Sir Evelyn Wrench in the belief that more effective communication between nations using the English language would lead to improved global understanding.
Our goals
In 2023 the ESU has been working on clarifying its goals, remaining true to Sir Evelyn Wrench’s principles. ESU London’s vision is to enable learning and the worldwide exchange of ideas using English. We encourage cultural understanding, friendship and dialogue.
Our mission is to open up opportunities for people in London and elsewhere to fulfil their potential as articulate and active global citizens. We aim to do this by:
- giving people the skills to advocate confidently, to advance professionally and to enjoy respectful dialogue and debate with others
- achieving this throughout people’s lives, but in particular empowering young people in London who have disadvantaged backgrounds
- promoting friendship in London, the UK and internationally and encouraging the use of English for knowledge and cultural understanding
Our ESU community in London values:
- respect – promoting the open and respectful exchange of ideas and developing international understanding
- inclusivity – building welcoming and diverse networks and encouraging friendship and collaboration
- curiosity – supporting enquiring minds and inspiring critical thinkers
- ambition – committing to growing our London community and changing lives by being powerful advocates for change
- quality – delivering creative and innovative programmes with expertise and professionalism
- integrity – acting with honesty, transparency and accountability.
During 2023, the goals of ESU London were to evolve and extend the benefits of ESU membership to an ever-broader group of London-based people. We set ourselves the objectives of offering a varied programme of cultural and social events, of increasing the number of young members, of building links with branches nationally and internationally and continuing our strong support for the educational work.
Educational delivery
Our charitable delivery is in the form of educational programmes, competitions and exchanges.
Our wonderful London volunteers have been key judges for the Performing Shakespeare Competition, the grand final of which took place at Shakespeare’s Globe in London on 24th June 2023. This prestigious competition was started 12 years ago by the London Branch, working closely with the then ESU Director-General, Peter Kyle OBE, a former CEO of Shakespeare’s Globe.
Hard-working London volunteers also judged online and in-person heats of the prestigious ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition and the Schools’ Mace Debating Competition. It was thrilling to have double London winners in these competitions. At the grand final of the Schools’ Mace Debating Competition at Dartmouth House on 23rd March 2023, the team from St Paul’s Girls’ School beat 11 other semi-finalists to achieve first place. On 30th April 2023, students from Bromley High School were the worthy winners at the grand final of the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition.
‘The Schools’ Mace debating competition has been an incredible process that has both bonded us as a team and also allowed us to discuss some topics that we would never have considered before’ Anya, competitor from St Paul’s Girls’ School
‘The fundamental thing you are trying to instil in the children is a love of learning, a love of speaking your truth and being your authentic self’ Head of English at Bromley High School
The Royal Institution in London was the location for the International Public Speaking Competition. It drew participants from national finals in 40 countries which had taken place between October 2022 and April 2023.
The ESU Education Team works with teachers and young people to develop vital oracy skills. In 2023 the focus continued to be the engagement of state schools, with renewed efforts for the primary school sector, where there has been the greatest need following the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore ESU London was pleased to support ESU Discover Your Voice workshops to equip teachers in London with resources to develop children’s speaking and listening skills. The Branch funded the programme in 11 primary schools in London, all of which have students facing significant disadvantage.
We also funded a London student to attend the summer school, Debate Academy, including their travel. There they enjoyed spending a week making new friends and learning debating skills.
Membership
London members remain at the heart of the London Branch despite an unfortunate decline in numbers, which is a nationwide trend for the ESU. In April 2023 there were 1,200 members listed for London. However work on the IT system to remove those who were not active or hadn’t signed up has resulted in a drop to just 570 paying London members. Work is ongoing and a new CRM system being put in place to ensure reports are a good basis for the central team to build the membership.
The 2022 Annual Report for London noted that the Board was acutely aware of the issue of declining membership. The Membership Working Group drew up a new 5-year Membership Modernisation Strategy which was approved by the Board in 2023. The interim stage took place in January to June 2023 and then the launch was July 2023. Thank you to all the members who responded to questionnaires sent by the MWG and spoke to us to help the shaping of that strategy.
The strategy, with its aim of revitalising and growing the membership of the ESU, outlined a wholesale modernisation of membership, focused on building an inclusive and diverse group, with a new quality digital offer and forward-looking approaches to (1) membership structures and pricing, (2) special treatment of volunteers, educators and young people, (3) leveraging ESU alumni/ae, and (4) engagement with international members.
We took on your feedback to ensure that the membership model would:
- be simple, clear and offer you value for money
- modernise what the ESU is and does, whilst respecting long term members
- be financially sound and ensure Dartmouth House is asset that generates profit for the ESU
- empower and support individual branches to build their branch to suit local members while retaining ESU principles, brand and character.
The ESU Senior Leadership Team now has ambitious plans to implement this strategy and to grow membership over the next year, deliver an enriched events programme and build on digital presence so that the ESU can reach members in London, nationally and internationally.
International friendship
Miles Contreras-Brown and I were delighted to represent the London Branch at the October 2023 International Council Meeting in Paris, where delegates from the international ESUs came together to promote good practice. Miles was able to advise other international ESUs on attracting and supporting young members and his blend of thoughtfulness and energy was greatly valued by delegates.
Members of the London Branch Committee have attended the online Friendly International Forums (FIFs) which encourage international friendship and the exchange of ideas. These forums reflect the founding principles of the ESU that the better we can communicate and understand one another, the easier it is to resolve differences and work towards common goals.
Events
Dartmouth House, the international headquarters of the ESU, has long been a hub for bringing people together to socialise, debate and share ideas. In London we aim to offer a broad range of events and lifelong opportunities to learn and meet one another.
ESU London enjoys a distinguished history of public speaking and debate and during 2023 the London Branch Speech and Debate Committee continued to offer topical and engaging debates, with excellent speakers. In February 2023 a packed Dartmouth House considered if the COP process is up to the task of solving the climate crisis or whether it is time to explore alternative approaches. The debate with the motion of ‘This house believes that the COP process will fail’ was the culmination of the Climate Deep Dialogue, which also included an informal drinks evening. In October 2023 a lively debate took place with the motion ‘This house believes that the fight for online safety is a lost cause’, when we considered how to navigate the balance between technological advancement and our personal safety. Huge thanks go to the Speech and Debate Committee, chaired by Abhijith and Amy, for their time and expertise in bringing us high-quality debates, which raise funds and the profile of the ESU.
In August 2023 London members joined Dr Matthew Green, bestselling author, for a tour of London’s original coffeehouses, discovering how they transformed the face of the City, brought people together and inspired brilliant ideas that shaped the modern world. In addition we enjoyed two separate visits to the Wallace Collection, which proved extremely popular.
In September 2023 Professor James Raven LittD FBA, Former Chair of the ESU and Fellow of Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, discussed his publication ‘The Oxford Illustrated History of the Book’, revealing the history of books in all their various forms, from the ancient world to the digital present. Following the AGM we also hosted a talk by a young author, Francesca Peacock, on her first book, which details the life of Margaret Cavendish.
The monthly London Branch Book Club continues to be unmissable for those who meet regularly at Dartmouth House. We are grateful to Katherine for her commitment running this.
In June 2023 we had the inaugural Philosophy Group and first Chess Club in Dartmouth House thanks to Dr Kate Hammer. Plans are underway to make these London groups a regular fixture, so watch out for our news and events in the London Branch newsletter and on the ESU website.
Finances and staffing
The opening balance of the London Branch accounts on 1st April 2023 was £11,547. April to August income was £1,000 and outgoings totalled £2,403. Net movement in that period, therefore, was £1,403. The closing bank balance on 31st July was £10,144. In the period of August to November, income was £2,134 and outgoings £2,154, with net movement of £20. The closing bank balance on 27th November 2023 was £10,124.
Fortunately issues noted in the 2022 London Annual Report around communication of branch finances have improved with the appointment of key ESU roles. I am pleased to tell you that during 2023 the vacancies of Finance Director, Head of Governance and Director of Engagement were filled. We are grateful to Gabriella Tamas and the finance team and Consola and the engagement team for their hard work to help the London Branch.
Following Jane Easton’s departure as ESU Director-General at the end of 2023, a new CEO will be appointed. It is certain that 2024 will see continued work to ensure that branches get the support needed to generate income, grow membership and to serve members and volunteers.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the lifeblood of ESU London. Indeed, during a visit by HRH The Princess Royal (President of the ESU) to Dartmouth House in October 2023 to deliver the annual Evelyn Wrench Lecture, she reminded us of the value of those who ‘get things done’.
Our industrious volunteers are not only judging competitions and organising fundraising events, but also invest time on the Committees. Happily the London Branch Committee goes from strength to strength. The fact that the age range stretches from those in their 20s to June in her 90s reflects the intergenerational magic of the ESU. On the London Branch optimism isn’t the reserve of youth, nor is wisdom dependent on age. We respect and value each other and our different viewpoints.
It was a joy to be able to celebrate an afternoon tea to mark June’s remarkable 30-year service to the London Branch as Membership Officer. June symbolises the dedication and community spirit of our volunteers. June continues to give to the ESU and to inspire us since she will be taking up the role of President of the London Branch of the ESU.
Future plans
Sarah Harding (who was co-opted to the Board when particular skills were needed and who helped secure the Board’s achievements in 2023) is stepping down from the position of Deputy Chair of the London Branch as well as her Board term being over.
I am also stepping down having served with Sarah on the Board. It has been an absorbing and intensive time, but also incredibly rewarding to work with Sarah. We are indebted to her for her unstinting support of the London Branch over the last year.
I am thrilled that my colleague, David Baker, will be assuming the chairmanship of ESU London. David has huge reserves of patience and experience and is an expert ESU judge and respected member of our Committee. Miles Contreras-Brown will be his Deputy Chair, which is a wonderful pairing. Ann continues to be the Branch’s able Treasurer and Erin, who knows the ESU so well, will be Secretary. The addition of Victoria with her communications skills and Khush and Brianna as events officers serves the Branch well. The ESU is grateful to Douglas, Barbara, Tim and Helen for their continued work on the Committee and we welcome Serena, who has a wealth of ESU experience too.
2024 looks set to be an exciting time for ESU London, with its new Committee, a new ESU Board having been established and a new CEO due to head up the organisation. Change can be challenging, but also open great opportunity for renewed commitment. I wish ESU London, its members and beneficiaries success and wonderful friendships of the kind I have been so lucky to enjoy here.
