THE HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL TRUST
The advancement and promotion for the public benefit of education and useful knowledge in relation to the science of zoology, the preservaion and exhibition of living animals and in particular a) The preservation and exhibition of wild animals in danger of extinction; b) The conservation of wildlife habitats; c) The maintenance and expansion of breeding groups
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net liability position of £498k with unrestricted reserves at a deficit of £502k, falling significantly below its stated policy target of £2.5m. The independent auditors issued a qualified opinion, noting that the rolling nature of the group's banking facilities casts significant doubt on its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“£270,000 to £279,999 1”
“Due to the rollover period not extending to at least twelve months from when the financial statements are approved this may cast significant doubt on the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.”
“Sales invoices, being recharges of costs incurred on their behalf, amounting to £271k were raised to The Aspinall Foundation”
“The Group rents freehold land and buildings from The Aspinall Foundation for an annual rent of £1”
“Sales invoices, being recharges of costs incurred on their behalf, amounting to £271k were raised to The Aspinall Foundation”
“The Group rents freehold land and buildings from The Aspinall Foundation for an annual rent of £1”
“Sales invoices, being recharges of costs incurred on their behalf, amounting to £271k were raised to The Aspinall Foundation”
“The Group rents freehold land and buildings from The Aspinall Foundation for an annual rent of £1”
“J D A Aspinall was suspended as a trustee by an Order of the Charity Commission under section 76(3)(a) of the Charities Act 2011.”
“The Charity and its trading subsidiary Howletts and Port Lympne Estates Ltd (“HPLE”)” — page 10
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: material uncertainty (FY2023) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2024).
Charity Commission inquiry
Regulator actions
inquiry report: The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into The Howletts Wild Animal Trust over serious concerns about the charity’s governance and financial management.
In the news
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: HOWLETTS AND PORT LYMPNE ESTATES LIMITED Companies House 01120626
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 04711904
- Profit/loss before tax: £5.8m
- Equity: £1.4m
- Average employees: 3.5700000000000003
- Turnover: £19.8m
- Profit before tax: £5.5m
- Loan due to parent charity: £2,010,714
Company officers (Companies House)
- BLACKMAN, Heather Frances on trustee list
- HULME, Daniel Ward on trustee list
- FARLEY, Guy James on trustee list
- ASPINALL, Tansy on trustee list
- ASPINALL, John Damian Androcles on trustee list
- MORRISSEY, Charlotte
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- DAMIAN ASPINALL
- Daniel Ward Hulme
- Guy James Michael Farley
- HEATHER FRANCES BLACKMAN
- Tansy Aspinall
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £27.0m | £26.9m |
| 31/12/2023 | £24.3m | £25.3m |
| 31/12/2022 | £22.9m | £22.5m |
| 31/12/2021 | £22.4m | £20.5m |
| 31/12/2020 | £15.2m | £16.1m |
Common questions
Is THE HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net liability position of £498k with unrestricted reserves at a deficit of £502k, falling significantly below its stated policy target of £2.5m. The independent auditors issued a qualified opinion, noting that the rolling nature of the group's banking facilities casts significant doubt on its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Azets Audit Services.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL TRUST earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £270,000 - £279,999 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE GERRICK ROSE ANIMAL TRUST | 1 | — |
| LANCASHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL FUND LIMITED | 1 | £284k |
| THE VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST | 1 | £231k |
| THE DISCWORLD FOUNDATION | 1 | £180k |
| CO-OPERATIVE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FOUNDATION | 1 | £148k |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 1 | £119k |
| RESTORE OUR PLANET | 1 | £84k |
| THE PENNIES FOUNDATION | 1 | £75k |
Charities like this
- SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
- THE WILDHEART TRUST
- WILD WELFARE
- HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT WILDLIFE TRUST
- WILDWOOD TRUST
- PANTHERA WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL TRUST | £27.0m | £270,000 - £279,999 | — | unclear | — | noted |
| SHALDON WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED | £293k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE WILDHEART TRUST | £2.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WILD WELFARE | £283k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT WILDLIFE TRUST | £9.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WILDWOOD TRUST | £4.4m | £90,001 - £100,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |