THE CARMELITE CHARITABLE TRUST
Carmelite friars serve the community, directing a large retreat and conference centre at Aylesford, Kent, running parishes in Llanelli & Faversham a university chaplaincy in York and a number of more specialised apostolates.
Latest income
£1.6m
Latest spending
£1.8m
Registered
1997
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the Trust recorded a deficit of £558,333 for the year, driven by a net loss on investments of £421,086. Despite this deficit, the Trust holds total capital and reserves of £23,358,916, with an unrestricted General Fund balance of £9,930,731. The Trustees and auditors confirm that there are no material uncertainties regarding the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: up to £60,000 — below the median for charities its size (£70k)
“No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum (including benefits) during the year or in the previous year.” — page 19
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: The purpose of this fund is to meet the day-to-day running costs. (held: £9.9m)
“The purpose of this fund is to meet the day-to-day running costs.” — page 8
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Trust makes a regular donation to the Carmelite General Curia in Rome. This is effectively the world-wide headquarters of the Carmelite Order and the Trust’s donation of £62,081 (€75,000) represents about 6% of the total budget of the Curia. This contribution is used not only for the expenses of the central administration but also enables the Curia to give financial support to Provinces in the developing world. This takes the form of subsidising the education of Carmelite students in Rome from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bursar General of the Order supplies a detailed report each year on the disbursements made so that the Trustees are fully apprised of the destination of resources.
“The Trust makes a regular donation to the Carmelite General Curia in Rome. This is effectively the world-wide headquarters of the Carmelite Order and the Trust’s donation of £62,081 (€75,000) represents about 6% of the total budget of the Curia. This contribution is used not only for the expenses of the central administration but also enables the Curia to give financial support to Provinces in the developing world. This takes the form of subsidising the education of Carmelite students in Rome from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bursar General of the Order supplies a detailed report each year on the disbursements made so that the Trustees are fully apprised of the destination of resources.” — page 7
“The Trust has agreed to contribute directly to the Australia & Timor-Leste Province’s mission in Timor-Leste the sum of €25,000 per annum for a long-term education program. In 2025 this came to £22,150. This will continue to 2027 and will be reviewed thereafter. This mission is located in one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a large complex for the education of friars near Dili, the capital, as well as a parish in Zumalai. The Province’s Mission Office, located in Australia, regularly supplies the Trust with information about achievements in TimorLeste to which the Carmelite Charitable Trust has contributed.” — page 7
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Trust has agreed to contribute directly to the Australia & Timor-Leste Province’s mission in Timor-Leste the sum of €25,000 per annum for a long-term education program. In 2025 this came to £22,150. This will continue to 2027 and will be reviewed thereafter. This mission is located in one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a large complex for the education of friars near Dili, the capital, as well as a parish in Zumalai. The Province’s Mission Office, located in Australia, regularly supplies the Trust with information about achievements in TimorLeste to which the Carmelite Charitable Trust has contributed.
“The Trust makes a regular donation to the Carmelite General Curia in Rome. This is effectively the world-wide headquarters of the Carmelite Order and the Trust’s donation of £62,081 (€75,000) represents about 6% of the total budget of the Curia. This contribution is used not only for the expenses of the central administration but also enables the Curia to give financial support to Provinces in the developing world. This takes the form of subsidising the education of Carmelite students in Rome from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bursar General of the Order supplies a detailed report each year on the disbursements made so that the Trustees are fully apprised of the destination of resources.” — page 7
“The Trust has agreed to contribute directly to the Australia & Timor-Leste Province’s mission in Timor-Leste the sum of €25,000 per annum for a long-term education program. In 2025 this came to £22,150. This will continue to 2027 and will be reviewed thereafter. This mission is located in one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a large complex for the education of friars near Dili, the capital, as well as a parish in Zumalai. The Province’s Mission Office, located in Australia, regularly supplies the Trust with information about achievements in TimorLeste to which the Carmelite Charitable Trust has contributed.” — page 7
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: During the year the Trust donated £315,303 ( 2024: £294,930) to the Friars, Aylesford (a Company Limited by Guarantee) which manages the Marian ,Shrine and other activities at Aylesford.
“The Trust makes a regular donation to the Carmelite General Curia in Rome. This is effectively the world-wide headquarters of the Carmelite Order and the Trust’s donation of £62,081 (€75,000) represents about 6% of the total budget of the Curia. This contribution is used not only for the expenses of the central administration but also enables the Curia to give financial support to Provinces in the developing world. This takes the form of subsidising the education of Carmelite students in Rome from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bursar General of the Order supplies a detailed report each year on the disbursements made so that the Trustees are fully apprised of the destination of resources.” — page 7
“The Trust has agreed to contribute directly to the Australia & Timor-Leste Province’s mission in Timor-Leste the sum of €25,000 per annum for a long-term education program. In 2025 this came to £22,150. This will continue to 2027 and will be reviewed thereafter. This mission is located in one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a large complex for the education of friars near Dili, the capital, as well as a parish in Zumalai. The Province’s Mission Office, located in Australia, regularly supplies the Trust with information about achievements in TimorLeste to which the Carmelite Charitable Trust has contributed.” — page 7
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: The Friars, Aylesford
“During the year the Trust donated £315,303 ( 2024: £294,930) to the Friars, Aylesford (a Company Limited by Guarantee) which manages the Marian ,Shrine and other activities at Aylesford.” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD Companies House 03487590
THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD — per its own Companies House accounts
- Note 18 discloses an intra-group debtor balance of £449,579 (2025) and £443,606 (2024) due from the subsidiary Aylesford Priory Limited to the parent charity.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Total income
£1.6m
Total spending
£1.8m
Cost of raising funds
£287k
Reserves (reported)
£16.5m
Employees
8
Trustees
- Rev Brendan Richard Grady
- Rev Gerard Hugh Walsh
- Rev Patrick Anthony O'Keeffe
- Rev Paul Anthony de Groot
- Rev Richard Philip Green
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £1.6m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2024 | £2.4m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.8m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.0m | £1.3m |
| 31/12/2021 | £2.4m | £1.4m |
Common questions
Is THE CARMELITE CHARITABLE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the Trust recorded a deficit of £558,333 for the year, driven by a net loss on investments of £421,086. Despite this deficit, the Trust holds total capital and reserves of £23,358,916, with an unrestricted General Fund balance of £9,930,731. The Trustees and auditors confirm that there are no material uncertainties regarding the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Williams Chartered Accountants.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE CARMELITE CHARITABLE TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the up to £60,000 band.
Charities like this
- THE FRIENDS OF WHITEFRIARS OXFORD FUND
- THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD
- DISCALCED CARMELITES UK CIO
- CARTMEL PRIORY TRUST CIO
- CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION (THE VINCENTIAN FATHERS)
- COMMUNITY OF THE ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CARMELITE CHARITABLE TRUST | £1.6m | up to £60,000 | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE FRIENDS OF WHITEFRIARS OXFORD FUND | £607k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE FRIARS, AYLESFORD | £1.7m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DISCALCED CARMELITES UK CIO | £203k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| CARTMEL PRIORY TRUST CIO | £103k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CONGREGATION OF THE MISSION (THE VINCENTIAN FATHERS) | £323k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |