WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION
WDC's work combines concern for the welfare of individual whales, dolphins and porpoises with efforts to ensure the protection of the species, populations and their habitats. We conduct research, provide advice to decision makers about how to protect the animals and fund conservation and education projects around the world, working for solutions which benefit people and animals.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the group reported a net deficit of £700,375 for the year ended 30 September 2025, resulting in total reserves of £1,302,026. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted free reserves of £1,055,094 were slightly below the stated policy target of £1,100,000, though the trustees consider the going concern basis appropriate given current cash balances and operating position.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £90,001 - £100,000” — page 43
“In 2024/25 WDC raised £4,097k and spent £1,116k on fundraising, a ratio of just under 4:1.” — page 21
“As a result of the most recent review, the Trustees have determined that the reserve level which will meet the above objectives is £1,100,000 in unrestricted funds.” — page 24
“A grant of £100,347 (2024: £21,153) was awarded to the Charity by WDC (North America) Inc during the year to support their projects.” — page 54
“A grant of £Nil (2024: £3,809) was awarded by the Charity to WDC (North America) Inc during the year to support their projects.” — page 54
“A grant of £100,347 (2024: £21,153) was awarded to the Charity by WDC (North America) Inc during the year to support their projects.” — page 54
“A grant of £Nil (2024: £3,809) was awarded by the Charity to WDC (North America) Inc during the year to support their projects.” — page 54
“A grant of £100,347 (2024: £21,153) was awarded to the Charity by WDC (North America) Inc during the year to support their projects.” — page 54
“A grant of £Nil (2024: £3,809) was awarded by the Charity to WDC (North America) Inc during the year to support their projects.” — page 54
“The trading subsidiary, WDC (Trading) Ltd., raises income through merchandise, running a café, licensing and lotteries.” — page 18
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £80,001 - £30,000 (FY2024) to £90,001 - £100,000 (FY2025).
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: WDC (TRADING) LIMITED Companies House 02593116
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 02737421
- Turnover: £364k
- Profit before tax: £-25k
- Note 8 discloses £128,388 owed to group undertakings (2024: £36,405). Note 9 states the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Whale and Dolphin Conservation and took advantage of the exemption in section 33.1A of FRS 102 in not disclosing intra-group transactions.
Company officers (Companies House)
- MCCARTHY, Hannah on trustee list
- BORTOT, Arietta on trustee list
- POLLITT, Jessica on trustee list
- HUNT, Alexander John on trustee list
- DREWE, Lisa Joanne on trustee list
- SMITH, Philip not on trustee list
- REED, Adrian John Harbottle on trustee list
- GERARD-LEIGH, John Norman not on trustee list
- BAKER, Gaye Karen
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/09/2025)
Trustees
- Dr LISA DREWEchair
- ADRIAN JOHN REED
- ALEXANDER JOHN HUNT
- Arietta Bortot
- Hannah McCarthy
- JOHN GERARD LEIGH
- Jessica Pollitt
- PHIL SMITH
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £5.2m | £5.9m |
| 30/09/2024 | £5.3m | £6.5m |
| 30/09/2023 | £5.9m | £5.8m |
| 30/09/2022 | £4.8m | £4.8m |
| 30/09/2021 | £5.0m | £4.4m |
Common questions
Is WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the group reported a net deficit of £700,375 for the year ended 30 September 2025, resulting in total reserves of £1,302,026. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted free reserves of £1,055,094 were slightly below the stated policy target of £1,100,000, though the trustees consider the going concern basis appropriate given current cash balances and operating position. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Bishop Fleming Audit Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £90,001 - £100,000 band.
Who funds WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION as a grant recipient include JINGLE JAM, The Global Returns Project Limited, R G HILLS CHARITABLE TRUST, CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST, BELVEDERE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JINGLE JAM | FY2023 | £317k | |
| The Global Returns Project Limited | FY2024 | £75k | |
| The Global Returns Project Limited | FY2023 | £28k | |
| The Global Returns Project Limited | FY2022 | £27k | Work to protect whale populations |
| R G HILLS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £2k | |
| CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £1k | |
| R G HILLS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | |
| BELVEDERE TRUST | FY2024 | £1k | |
| THE MILLENNIUM OAK TRUST | FY2024 | — |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 28/11/2019 | £190k | "Bringing WDC Shorewatch to the Northern Isles: community action for whales and dolphins" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | 2 | £3k |
| THE ALBORADA TRUST | 1 | £467k |
| THE FIDELITY UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £179k |
| MRS D M FRANCE-HAYHURST FOUNDATION | 1 | £117k |
| THE ROGER RAYMOND CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £101k |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 1 | £93k |
| MOONDANCE FOUNDATION | 1 | £93k |
| THE HOSKING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £70k |
Charities like this
- SEA WATCH FOUNDATION, THE CETACEAN MONITORING UNIT
- MALDIVES WHALE SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAMME LIMITED
- MARWELL WILDLIFE
- SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
- INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE (IFAW)
- THE WILDLIFE TRUST OF SOUTH AND WEST WALES LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHALE AND DOLPHIN CONSERVATION | £5.2m | £90,001 - £100,000 | — | unclear | 27.2% | no doubt |
| SEA WATCH FOUNDATION, THE CETACEAN MONITORING UNIT | £472k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MALDIVES WHALE SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAMME LIMITED | £250k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MARWELL WILDLIFE | £12.4m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED | £293k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE (IFAW) | £17.4m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |