Southampton Forward
Latest income
£1.4m
Latest spending
£1.4m
Registered
2010
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a large financial surplus for the year due to the early recognition of a multi-year Arts Council England grant, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £1,568,084. The trustees note that these reserves are above the target level of £200,000 but are budgeted to fall over the final two years of the programme as expenditure is incurred.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £90,001 - £100,000 — above the median for charities its size (£76k)
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 2024 1 £90,001 - £100,000” — page 28
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 2024 1” — page 28
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: £200,000 (held: £1.6m)
“Unrestricted reserves are budgeted to fall over the final two years of the three-year programme, to a level at or slightly above the target of £200,000 by 31 March 2026.” — page 10
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee S Woodford-Hollick provided a donation of £10,000 through the Hollick Family Foundation.
“A member of the Board of Trustees, S Woodford-Hollick, provided a donation of £10,000 through the Hollick Family Foundation for the History Through Jazz.” — page 34
“Laura Read was a senior manager of the Westquay Partnership during the year, and is a member of the Board of Trustees. The charity received sponsorship from the Westquay Partnership during the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Laura Read is a senior manager of Westquay Partnership, which provided sponsorship.
“A member of the Board of Trustees, S Woodford-Hollick, provided a donation of £10,000 through the Hollick Family Foundation for the History Through Jazz.” — page 34
“Laura Read was a senior manager of the Westquay Partnership during the year, and is a member of the Board of Trustees. The charity received sponsorship from the Westquay Partnership during the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee P Taylor is a member at Paris Smith LLP, which provided £23,500 in-kind HR and legal services.
“A member of the Board of Trustees, S Woodford-Hollick, provided a donation of £10,000 through the Hollick Family Foundation for the History Through Jazz.” — page 34
“Laura Read was a senior manager of the Westquay Partnership during the year, and is a member of the Board of Trustees. The charity received sponsorship from the Westquay Partnership during the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee M Ockwell is a member of Mayflower Enterprise Ltd, which charged £396 for venue/catering.
“A member of the Board of Trustees, S Woodford-Hollick, provided a donation of £10,000 through the Hollick Family Foundation for the History Through Jazz.” — page 34
“Laura Read was a senior manager of the Westquay Partnership during the year, and is a member of the Board of Trustees. The charity received sponsorship from the Westquay Partnership during the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Southampton City Council provided grants and was represented by trustees.
“A member of the Board of Trustees, S Woodford-Hollick, provided a donation of £10,000 through the Hollick Family Foundation for the History Through Jazz.” — page 34
“Laura Read was a senior manager of the Westquay Partnership during the year, and is a member of the Board of Trustees. The charity received sponsorship from the Westquay Partnership during the year.” — page 34
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2023) → 1 (FY2024).
- Going concern: going-concern doubt noted (FY2023) → no going-concern doubt (FY2024).
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 07344461
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Laura Read — Chair of Trustees
- Councillor Alexander Winning — Trustee
- Michael Ockwell — Trustee
- Catherine Barnes — Trustee
- Sharon Lloyd — Trustee
- Hayden Collins — Trustee
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Total income
£1.4m
Total spending
£1.4m
Cost of raising funds
£2k
Reserves (reported)
£797k
Employees
10
Trustees
- Laura Kathryn Readchair
- Catherine Barnes
- Hayden Collins
- Lorna Eileen Lydia Fielker
- Peta Joyce Ash
- Peter Aston Burleigh Taylor
- Sharon Dawn-Marie Lloyd
- Stephen Yaw Ofori Obuba
- Susan Jane Littlemore
- Timothy James Keeping
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.4m | £1.4m |
| 31/03/2024 | £2.4m | £1.0m |
| 31/03/2023 | £140k | £404k |
| 31/03/2022 | £607k | £535k |
| 31/03/2021 | £446k | £83k |
Common questions
Is Southampton Forward financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a large financial surplus for the year due to the early recognition of a multi-year Arts Council England grant, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £1,568,084. The trustees note that these reserves are above the target level of £200,000 but are budgeted to fall over the final two years of the programme as expenditure is incurred. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Hopper Williams & Bell Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of Southampton Forward earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £90,001 - £100,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 03/07/2024 | £250k | "Taking Southampton Forward - a programme of co-creation and collaboration built on consultation." |
| Postcode Lottery | 28/06/2024 | £25k | Unrestricted Funding |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGISE ME | 2 | £171k |
| The Greaves & Withey Foundation | 1 | £100k |