REVEREND FREDERICK W ROBERTSON TRUST
The support of the ministry of the Church of England at the Chapel Royal, North Street, Brighton. The making of Grants to other projects having links with the Anglican Church in Brighton including administration support and other Anglican ministries within the City of Brighton and Hove.
Objects
THE MANAGING TRUSTEES SHALL APPLY THE SUM OF ú55, 000 OUT OF THE INCOME OF THE CHARITY IN OR TOWARDS THE REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF THE FABRIC OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH AT BRIGHTON IN THE COUNTY OF EAST SUSSEX AS A MEMORIAL TO THE REVEREND FREDERICK WILLIAM ROBERTSON 2) SUBJECT THERETO THE MANAGING TRUSTEES SHALL APPLY THE CLEAR INCOME AT THEIR DISCRETION THE WHOLE OR PART OF THE PROPERTY OF THE CHARITY IN FURTHERING THE RELIGIOUS AND OTHER CHARITABLE WORK OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BRIGHTON, SAINT PETER AND SAINT NICHOLAS WITH THE CHAPEL ROYAL
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total income for the year was £100,816, resulting in a small excess of income over expenditure of £370. The charity holds substantial unrestricted reserves of £1,424,923, with a stated policy to retain sufficient funds to meet anticipated needs for the following year, including maintenance and ministry costs. The trustees report that systems are in place to mitigate identified risks and that the charity does not employ any staff.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees' policy is to retain sufficient to meet anticipated needs for the following year which include the maintenance and upkeep of the Chapel Royal, North Street, Brighton and the ministry carried on from there, together with the wider ministry in and around the Parish of Brighton the Chapel Royal.” — page 4
“In March 2000 with a contribution of £40,000 the Trustees acquired a 17.78% share in 4 Parochial Mews, Brighton, a freehold property purchased by the Chichester Diocesan Fund and Board of Finance (Incorporated) as a residence for the priest who has particular responsibilities for the Chapel Royal, North Street, Brighton. The property is vested in the Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance (Incorporated). The Trustees’ interest is noted in a Declaration of Trust. The Trustees do not have any responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep neither of the property nor for its insurance. The Trustees do not receive any rent or other payment out of the property.” — page 2
“The actual rental contribution would be £750 plus 17.8% of £2300 which would be the Trust’s entitlement to rent from 4 Parochial Mews – namely £1159.40 per month. Net Rent of £750 per month was paid to the Diocese from July 2025.” — page 3
“In March 2000 with a contribution of £40,000 the Trustees acquired a 17.78% share in 4 Parochial Mews, Brighton, a freehold property purchased by the Chichester Diocesan Fund and Board of Finance (Incorporated) as a residence for the priest who has particular responsibilities for the Chapel Royal, North Street, Brighton. The property is vested in the Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance (Incorporated). The Trustees’ interest is noted in a Declaration of Trust. The Trustees do not have any responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep neither of the property nor for its insurance. The Trustees do not receive any rent or other payment out of the property.” — page 2
“The actual rental contribution would be £750 plus 17.8% of £2300 which would be the Trust’s entitlement to rent from 4 Parochial Mews – namely £1159.40 per month. Net Rent of £750 per month was paid to the Diocese from July 2025.” — page 3
Policies the charity declares
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2025
- Volunteers: 1
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 1
- Grant-making is its main activity
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 1
- Grant-making is its main activity
Annual return filing dates (Charity Commission record)
Of its last 5 annual returns with a recorded received date, 2 were received after the due date: year ending 31/12/2022 (received 24/05/2024, 206 days after the 31/10/2023 due date); year ending 31/12/2021 (received 24/05/2024, 571 days after the 31/10/2022 due date).
Trustees
- James Christopher Groves
- Lesley Margaret Webster
- Rev EMMA HAM-RICHE
- Rev RICHARD BRYAN MERRICK
- THE VENERABLE MARTIN LLOYD-WILLIAMS
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £88k | £85k |
| 31/12/2024 | £66k | £75k |
| 31/12/2023 | £64k | £56k |
| 31/12/2022 | £13k | £69k |
| 31/12/2021 | £60k | £42k |
Common questions
Is REVEREND FREDERICK W ROBERTSON TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total income for the year was £100,816, resulting in a small excess of income over expenditure of £370. The charity holds substantial unrestricted reserves of £1,424,923, with a stated policy to retain sufficient funds to meet anticipated needs for the following year, including maintenance and ministry costs. The trustees report that systems are in place to mitigate identified risks and that the charity does not employ any staff. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE CHRISTOPHER AND HENRY OLDFIELD TRUST | 1 | £128k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE A M CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £32k |
| ALL NATIONS CHURCH BARKINGSIDE AND CLAYHALL | 1 | £10k |
| WILLIAM AND EDITH OLDHAM CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARGARET ROTTINGDEAN
- THE ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL TRUST
- RICHMOND TRUST FUND
- TRUST PROPERTY HELD IN CONNEXION WITH BETHESDA BAPTIST CHAPEL ROYTON
- THE COMMUNITY TRUST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
- THE BRIGHTON TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVEREND FREDERICK W ROBERTSON TRUST | £88k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MARGARET ROTTINGDEAN | £160k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL TRUST | £166k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| RICHMOND TRUST FUND | £220k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| TRUST PROPERTY HELD IN CONNEXION WITH BETHESDA BAPTIST CHAPEL ROYTON | £50k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE COMMUNITY TRUST OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY | £76k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |