THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB
The Club is established to carry out the charitable objects of the Company on its behalf in promoting the efficiency of the Royal Air Force by improving the condition of officers holding commissions therein and in other associated Services and by preserving and fostering among them the esprit de corps and traditions of those Services by every suitable means.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a total income exceeding £13.0m for the first time in its history, resulting in a net operating surplus of £1.37m. Per the trustees' report, free/unrestricted reserves stood at £412,173, which is below the stated policy target of £3m, though the trustees anticipate similar levels of trading performance in the coming year.
What the accounts disclose
“£170,000 - £179,999 1”
“Free reserves at 31 December 2025 totalled £412,173. The Club’s long-term financial plan will look to add to the Club’s free reserves and bring the reserves held in line with the policy set by trustees.” — page 18
“At the year end RAFCTC Limited, a subsidiary wholly owned by the Royal Air Force Club, Owed the Club £214,257 (2024: £275,178). During the year Trustees made donations to the club totalling £2,710 (2024: nil). Members of the Board of Trustees are also members of the Royal Air Force Club and pay membership fees on an arm's length basis.” — page 40
“The Charity has a subsidiary trading company, RAFCTC Limited, registered number 6590556.” — page 7
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (07/08/2017)
Trustees
- Adam Wardrope
- Air Cdre Victoria Caroline McPhaden
- Air Commodore Dai Whittingham
- Amanda Jane Wolfe
- BERNARD ANTHONY WATSON
- Flight Lieutenant Haig Anthony John Tyler
- Gavin James Poole
- Group Captain Alan John Lockwood
- Group Captain James Roger Beldon
- Neeraj Kapur
- Paul Higgins
- Peter Charles Brown
- Philip James Wadlow
- Warren Austin William James
- Wing Commander Paula Simone Willmot
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £13.1m | £11.6m |
| 31/12/2024 | £12.3m | £10.9m |
| 31/12/2023 | £11.6m | £10.4m |
| 31/12/2022 | £10.2m | £9.1m |
| 31/12/2021 | £7.1m | £6.2m |
Common questions
Is THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a total income exceeding £13.0m for the first time in its history, resulting in a net operating surplus of £1.37m. Per the trustees' report, free/unrestricted reserves stood at £412,173, which is below the stated policy target of £3m, though the trustees anticipate similar levels of trading performance in the coming year. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Moore Kingston Smith LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £170,000 - £179,999 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| QUEEN MARY'S ROEHAMPTON TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| NUFFIELD TRUST FOR THE FORCES OF THE CROWN | 1 | £6k |
| BOOTS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE CATHERINE AND ANGUS WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE JOHN SCOTT CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE JORON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE HARRY & MARY FOUNDATION | 1 | £3k |
| THE ULVERSCROFT FOUNDATION | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RUGBY UNION
- ROYAL AIR FORCE SMALL ARMS ASSOCIATION
- THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CENTRAL FUND
- THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND
- ROYAL AIR FORCE MOTORSPORTS ASSOCIATION
- OFFICERS' MESS RAF SHAWBURY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB | £13.1m | £170,000 - £179,999 | — | below | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCE RUGBY UNION | £135k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL AIR FORCE SMALL ARMS ASSOCIATION | £216k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CENTRAL FUND | £6.6m | £100,001 - £110,000 | 3 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND | £27.7m | — | 19 | unclear | 17.9% | no doubt |
| ROYAL AIR FORCE MOTORSPORTS ASSOCIATION | £178k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |