THE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a small overall deficit of £5,945 for the year ended 30 September 2025, driven by reduced membership income and increased costs for the Scheme for Registration. Despite net current liabilities of £2.7 million, the trustees confirm sufficient resources to continue as a going concern, supported by £5.35 million in liquid investments and a secured overdraft facility.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees reviewed their reserves policy in 2023-2024 and amended it from maintaining reserves equal to 5 months of operating costs to a policy of having free and tangible designated reserves in a range, between £4.3m to £6.0m.” — page 7
“4 Trustees (2024:8 Trustees) received remuneration in the form of payment of fees. This remuneration is for acting as examiners, lecturers, editors, facilitators and assessors checking the standards of optometric practice and is in accordance with the legal authority of the College's Charter and Bye-Laws. None of the trustees are remunerated for their role as a trustee.” — page 27
Funders the charity credits
- Central Optical Fund
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/09/2025)
Trustees
- Andrew John Kitchen
- Dr Aleksandra Mankowska
- Dr Gillian Anne Rudduck
- Dr Irene Ctori
- Dr Leon Nicholas Davies
- Hassnain Safdar MCOptom
- Iain McMillan
- Irfan Razvi
- Kathryn Trimmer MCOptom
- Kyla Black
- Lewes James Hambrey
- Matt Roney
- Professor Kathryn Saunders FCOptomPhD
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £10.7m | £10.7m |
| 30/09/2024 | £10.9m | £10.4m |
| 30/09/2023 | £8.9m | £9.5m |
| 30/09/2022 | £8.8m | £9.1m |
| 30/09/2021 | £8.2m | £7.0m |
Common questions
Is THE COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRISTS financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a small overall deficit of £5,945 for the year ended 30 September 2025, driven by reduced membership income and increased costs for the Scheme for Registration. Despite net current liabilities of £2.7 million, the trustees confirm sufficient resources to continue as a going concern, supported by £5.35 million in liquid investments and a secured overdraft facility. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sayer Vincent LLP.