TRUST FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING
sustainability and conservation education
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity incurred a net expenditure of £81,321 for the year, resulting in a deficit in free reserves of £136,000 and net current liabilities. The auditors have identified a material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern due to these deficits and the trading subsidiary's debt to the parent. However, the trustees maintain that the going concern basis is appropriate, citing expected future surpluses and a turnaround plan for the trading subsidiary.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee earned between £70,000 - £80,000 per annum” — page 25
“One employee earned between £70,000 - £80,000 per annum” — page 25
“The long-term policy is that current free reserves (unrestricted current assets less unrestricted current creditors) should be sufficient to cover 3 months’ normal operating expenditure for the group (£225,000), plus an additional 10% contingency to cover general fluctuations in expenditure, totalling £247,500 of current free reserves.” — page 8
“We draw attention to note 1.3 in the financial statements, which indicates that, due to deficits incurred in recent years, the charity’s reserves targets have not been met. Net free reserves are in a deficit position, and there are net current liabilities. As stated in note 1.3 these events or conditions, along with other matters as set forth in note 1.3, indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.” — page 10
“At the year-end The Living Rainforest Limited owed The Trust for Sustainable Living £141,661 (2024: £102,003). During the year Trust for Sustainable Living recognised costs totalling £750 (2024: £750) from a company with a shared director.” — page 33
“At the year-end there was a balance held on behalf of the Charity by a limited liability partnership a director of the company is a Partner of totalling £551 (2024: £551).” — page 33
“At the year-end The Living Rainforest Limited owed The Trust for Sustainable Living £141,661 (2024: £102,003). During the year Trust for Sustainable Living recognised costs totalling £750 (2024: £750) from a company with a shared director.” — page 33
“At the year-end there was a balance held on behalf of the Charity by a limited liability partnership a director of the company is a Partner of totalling £551 (2024: £551).” — page 33
“The charity's wholly-owned trading subsidiary, The Living Rainforest Limited, henceforth referred to as TLR, is a company limited by shares and registered as company number 02578937 at Companies House.”
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2024) to £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2025).
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → material uncertainty (FY2025).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Barry Murrer — Chair
- Karl Hansen — Executive Director
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/09/2025)
Trustees
- Alastair Cook
- CHRISTOPHER FELTON
- Dr Barry Anthony Murrer
- Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson
- Marie-Pierre Lloyd
- Penelope Anne Tomlinson
- Sean Nicholson
- Thomas Charles Randell
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £1.1m | £1.2m |
| 30/09/2024 | £1.2m | £1.3m |
| 30/09/2023 | £1.2m | £1.2m |
| 30/09/2022 | £952k | £1.1m |
| 30/09/2021 | £1.1m | £979k |
Common questions
Is TRUST FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity incurred a net expenditure of £81,321 for the year, resulting in a deficit in free reserves of £136,000 and net current liabilities. The auditors have identified a material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern due to these deficits and the trading subsidiary's debt to the parent. However, the trustees maintain that the going concern basis is appropriate, citing expected future surpluses and a turnaround plan for the trading subsidiary. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by UHY Ross Brooke.
What does the highest-paid employee of TRUST FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,001 - £80,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds TRUST FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING?
Funders whose own accounts filings name TRUST FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING as a grant recipient include THE BATCHWORTH TRUST, GERALD PALMER ELING TRUST COMPANY.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE BATCHWORTH TRUST | FY2025 | £10k | |
| GERALD PALMER ELING TRUST COMPANY | FY2025 | £10k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| SWIRE 2765 | 1 | £737k |
| The Leathersellers' Foundation | 1 | £275k |
| THE CRUCIBLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £170k |
| BACON FOUNDATION LTD | 1 | £60k |
| THE 4814 TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| THE ORP FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THE ROTHERMERE FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THE RAYNE FOUNDATION | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- SANGHA TRI-NATIONAL TRUST FUND LIMITED
- THE OTTER TRUST
- THE UMEED WELFARE TRUST (UNITED KINGDOM)
- SUSTAINABILITY FIRST
- THE ECOLOGY TRUST
- THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRUST FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING | £1.1m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | unclear | — | material uncertainty |
| SANGHA TRI-NATIONAL TRUST FUND LIMITED | £2.6m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE OTTER TRUST | £114k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE UMEED WELFARE TRUST (UNITED KINGDOM) | £238k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SUSTAINABILITY FIRST | £381k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ECOLOGY TRUST | £2.0m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |