THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ (GERTRUDE BELL MEMORIAL)
BISI is dedicated to advancing research and public education about Iraq in the areas of the arts, humanities and social sciences. The charity's activities include: giving grants to support research and outreach projects; publishing the journal IRAQ and texts on Iraq's history and culture; arranging public lectures and study days; and a Visiting Iraqi Scholarship Programme.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £969,918 and a designated fund of £1,326,000 at the year-end, resulting in total net assets of £2,656,376. Per the trustees' report, the charity is heavily dependent on investment income to sustain its activities, as earned income alone is insufficient to cover operating costs. The trustees maintain a reserves policy to keep levels of unrestricted cash reserves sufficient to ensure main operations can continue for approximately 12 months.
What the accounts disclose
“At the period-end unreserved cash reserves in the Institute’s current accounts sat at 5 months of operational costs but the trustees recognise that the investment portfolio is highly liquid, and at the year-end contained a further 10 months of unrestricted cash available on demand.” — page 17
“A strategy project grant of £45,766 was awarded to Mary Shepperson, a trustee. The funding for this project was provided by the British Academy.” — page 33
“During the year, 7 Trustees were reimbursed for travel expenses and reimbursed expenses paid on behalf of the charity of £4,069” — page 33
“A strategy project grant of £45,766 was awarded to Mary Shepperson, a trustee. The funding for this project was provided by the British Academy.” — page 33
“During the year, 7 Trustees were reimbursed for travel expenses and reimbursed expenses paid on behalf of the charity of £4,069” — page 33
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (08/10/2020)
- Received assets from another charity (18/03/2011)
Trustees
- Dr Rosalind Anne Wade Haddonchair
- DR Timothy Clayden
- Daniel Lowe
- Dr Ellen McAdam
- Dr Eva Rose Miller
- Dr GARETH BRERETON
- Dr John Curtis
- Dr John Douglas Austin MacGinnis
- Dr Jonathan Taylor
- Dr Mary Ann Shepperson
- Dr Noorah Al-Gailani
- Dr Steve Renette
- JOAN PORTER MACIVER
- Jonathan Paul Wilks
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £424k | £282k |
| 31/03/2024 | £164k | £166k |
| 31/03/2023 | £175k | £187k |
| 31/03/2022 | £61k | £117k |
| 30/06/2021 | £73k | £102k |
Common questions
Is THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ (GERTRUDE BELL MEMORIAL) financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £969,918 and a designated fund of £1,326,000 at the year-end, resulting in total net assets of £2,656,376. Per the trustees' report, the charity is heavily dependent on investment income to sustain its activities, as earned income alone is insufficient to cover operating costs. The trustees maintain a reserves policy to keep levels of unrestricted cash reserves sufficient to ensure main operations can continue for approximately 12 months. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BRITISH ACADEMY FOR THE PROMOTION OF HISTORICAL PHILOSOPHICAL AND PHILOLOGICAL STUDIES | 3 | £6.6m |
| THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AT ANKARA | 1 | £260k |
| THE JOHN R. MURRAY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £155k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £93k |
| ALTAJIR TRUST | 1 | £35k |
| THE PAUL MELLON CENTRE FOR STUDIES IN BRITISH ART | 1 | £8k |
| THE MARK LEONARD TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE CHARLOTTE BONHAM-CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF PERSIAN STUDIES
- THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR LIBYAN AND NORTHERN AFRICAN STUDIES
- BRITISH SOCIETY FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES
- IESE FOUNDATION UK
- ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
- THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY AT ANKARA
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ (GERTRUDE BELL MEMORIAL) | £424k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF PERSIAN STUDIES | £301k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR LIBYAN AND NORTHERN AFRICAN STUDIES | £202k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| BRITISH SOCIETY FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES | £141k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| IESE FOUNDATION UK | £357k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND | £528k | more than £60,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |