THE HELEN HAMLYN TRUST
The Trust's core aim is to initiate and support innovative medium to long term projects which will effect lasting change and improve quality of life.
Latest income
£6.5m
Latest spending
£6.3m
Registered
2001
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that free reserves of £3,841,462 exceed the trustees' stated minimum policy target of £2 million. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, supported by confirmed funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and a £5 million deed of guarantee from Lady Hamlyn.
What the accounts disclose
Largest income source: Donations from individuals (60% of income)
“From individuals 4,168,174” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: £2 million (held: £3.8m)
“The Trustees have determined that in future years the minimum level of reserves should not be less than £2 million.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Lucy O'Rorke, daughter of a trustee, received salary
“Lucy O’Rorke (Director of Projects and Co-ordination), the daughter of one of the Trustees, was paid a salary (including benefits) of £94,202 during the year (2024: £90,254). This amount was consistent with the role for which she was employed.” — page 31
“Lady Hamlyn’s personal assistant was engaged in Trust matters and a proportional amount of her salary was recognised as a donation in kind. The amount recognised as a donation in kind during this period totals £35,380” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Lady Hamlyn's PA salary recognized as donation in kind
“Lucy O’Rorke (Director of Projects and Co-ordination), the daughter of one of the Trustees, was paid a salary (including benefits) of £94,202 during the year (2024: £90,254). This amount was consistent with the role for which she was employed.” — page 31
“Lady Hamlyn’s personal assistant was engaged in Trust matters and a proportional amount of her salary was recognised as a donation in kind. The amount recognised as a donation in kind during this period totals £35,380” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Lady Hamlyn charged for phone use
“Lucy O’Rorke (Director of Projects and Co-ordination), the daughter of one of the Trustees, was paid a salary (including benefits) of £94,202 during the year (2024: £90,254). This amount was consistent with the role for which she was employed.” — page 31
“Lady Hamlyn’s personal assistant was engaged in Trust matters and a proportional amount of her salary was recognised as a donation in kind. The amount recognised as a donation in kind during this period totals £35,380” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustees Alison Peacock and Brendan Cahill employed by grant recipients
“Lucy O’Rorke (Director of Projects and Co-ordination), the daughter of one of the Trustees, was paid a salary (including benefits) of £94,202 during the year (2024: £90,254). This amount was consistent with the role for which she was employed.” — page 31
“Lady Hamlyn’s personal assistant was engaged in Trust matters and a proportional amount of her salary was recognised as a donation in kind. The amount recognised as a donation in kind during this period totals £35,380” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Total income
£6.5m
Total spending
£6.3m
Cost of raising funds
£26k
Reserves (reported)
£3.8m
Employees
3
Trustees
- LADY HAMLYNchair
- BRENDAN HURLEY CAHILL
- Baroness Gail Rebuck
- DR KATE GAVRON
- Dr Sarah Elizabeth Thomas
- Lord Ara Warkais Darzi
- MARGARET ROICE O'RORKE
- Professor Dame Alison Margaret Peacock
- Professor Deborah Anne Swallow
- STEPHEN RICHARD LEWIN
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £6.5m | £6.3m |
| 31/03/2024 | £5.2m | £6.8m |
| 31/03/2023 | £2.3m | £2.5m |
| 31/03/2022 | £7.4m | £7.6m |
| 31/03/2021 | £2.2m | £2.7m |
Common questions
Is THE HELEN HAMLYN TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that free reserves of £3,841,462 exceed the trustees' stated minimum policy target of £2 million. The trustees confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, supported by confirmed funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and a £5 million deed of guarantee from Lady Hamlyn. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Azets.
Who funds THE HELEN HAMLYN TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE HELEN HAMLYN TRUST as a grant recipient include PAUL HAMLYN FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL HAMLYN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £2.0m | Other Grants and support |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ESSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £48k |
| THE CHRIS BANTON FOUNDATION | 1 | £15k |
| THE CHRISTOPHER LAING FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THE VARRIER-JONES FOUNDATION | 1 | £8k |
| CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| ROSCA TRUST | 1 | £2k |
| THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
| CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- HAMELIN TRUST
- THE HARAMEAD TRUST
- SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST
- THE HADLEY PROJECTS FUND
- THE ALMOND TRUST
- THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE HELEN HAMLYN TRUST | £6.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HAMELIN TRUST | £3.9m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE HARAMEAD TRUST | £4.8m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST | £1.7m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE HADLEY PROJECTS FUND | £558k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ALMOND TRUST | £847k | — | 0 | unclear | 0.0% | no doubt |