THE CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY
Advance education by promoting debating, hosting educational events, training members and public in debating for debating competitions. Encourage the exchange of ideas and provide access by the public to the Charity's facilities and events; provide workshops for local school children to introduce them to debating and enable students and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £1,035,638, which are below its stated policy target of £300,000. The accounts state the charity remains in a viable position with sufficient revenue-generating capability to improve this position.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £80,001 - £90,000 1” — page 34
“Income from trading subsidiary 1,877,697” — page 30
“To ensure prudent financial planning, the Trustees have set a target of Reserves approximately equal to 3 months of operation, a sum of £300,000.” — page 8
“During the year the charity received donations from trustees of £4,000 (2024: £4,000) as a bursary to cover the membership fees for a number of students.” — page 45
“During the year the charity received donations from trustees of £4,000 (2024: £4,000) as a bursary to cover the membership fees for a number of students.” — page 45
“During the year the charity received donations from trustees of £4,000 (2024: £4,000) as a bursary to cover the membership fees for a number of students.” — page 45
“During the year the charity received donations from trustees of £4,000 (2024: £4,000) as a bursary to cover the membership fees for a number of students.” — page 45
“Cambridge Union Society Enterprises Limited operates the trading activities of the Union.”
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (05/07/2011)
Trustees
- Angela Broughton
- DAVID NICHOLAS ROBINSON
- David Henry Branch
- Dr Elisabeth Kendall
- Dr Gillian Tett OBE
- Lord Stephen Graeme Parkinson OBE
- Mohammad Abdurraheem Gani Comrie
- Philip Sutton Harrison
- Professor Graham Virgo KC
- Rachel Green
- Sara Catherine Nathan OBE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £2.5m | £2.7m |
| 30/06/2024 | £2.4m | £2.5m |
| 30/06/2023 | £2.1m | £2.5m |
| 30/06/2022 | £2.2m | £2.3m |
| 30/06/2021 | £645k | £994k |
Common questions
Is THE CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £1,035,638, which are below its stated policy target of £300,000. The accounts state the charity remains in a viable position with sufficient revenue-generating capability to improve this position. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Streets Audit LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| AKO FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.3m |
| THE MOHN WESTLAKE FOUNDATION | 1 | £800k |
| THE FIDELITY UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £460k |
| THE DULVERTON TRUST | 1 | £151k |
| THE STONE FAMILY FOUNDATION | 1 | £127k |
| WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £103k |
| THE INTERNATIONAL BANKERS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £37k |
| NORTHERN CONSORTIUM | 1 | £34k |
Charities like this
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON STUDENTS' UNION
- GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD
- UNION OF UEA STUDENTS LIMITED
- DEBATE MATE SCHOOLS LIMITED
- TRINITY SAINT DAVID STUDENTS’ UNION
- NORTHAMPTON STUDENTS' UNION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CAMBRIDGE UNION SOCIETY | £2.5m | £80,001 - £90,000 | — | above | — | no doubt |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON STUDENTS' UNION | £7.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD | £4.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| UNION OF UEA STUDENTS LIMITED | £6.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DEBATE MATE SCHOOLS LIMITED | £1.2m | £210,000 to £219,999 | — | below | — | material uncertainty |
| TRINITY SAINT DAVID STUDENTS’ UNION | £1.2m | — | — | unclear | — | noted |