THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Provides independent (free) review scheme for HE students in England/Wales. Deals with complaints from individual students after exhaustion of internal procedures of the HE provider. Where complaints found justified, recommendations for remedy are made and compliance monitored. Also publishes good practice guidance and runs not for profit learning events for HE providers and students' unions.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus on general reserves of £1,072,407 for the year ended 31 December 2025, bringing total unrestricted funds to £4,403,225. Per the trustees' report, the financial position remained sound with reliable income from higher education provider subscriptions, and the charity maintains a reserves target of approximately £3,000,000.
What the accounts disclose
“The numbers of employees whose emoluments (being all remuneration, benefits and payments made £60,000 - £70,000 £70,000 - £80,000 £80,000 - £90,000 £90,000 - £100,000 £150,000 - £160,000 £160,000 - £170,000” — page 32
“Using this methodology our current reserves target is around £3,000,000.”
“Some Trustees also hold senior positions at higher education providers. During the year in accordance with the requirements of the Higher Education Act (2004) these providers paid subscriptions to the charitable company. These fees are calculated on an arms length basis and in accordance with a defined formula.” — page 39
Public-sector contracts awarded
| Buyer | Contract | Awarded | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND | 2026 OIA core subscription | 05/12/2025 | £76k |
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Simongnette Scavazzachair
- Alexander Isaac Stanley
- Dr Gwawr Taylor
- Jesy Mamputu
- Jonathan Nigel Rees
- Martin Stephen Kirke
- Nicola Ruth Flint
- Philip Kynaston
- Professor Alison Shan Wareing
- Professor Rachael Elizabeth Langford
- Stephen McAuliffe
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £9.1m | £8.1m |
| 31/12/2024 | £8.4m | £7.6m |
| 31/12/2023 | £7.3m | £7.2m |
| 31/12/2022 | £6.6m | £6.6m |
| 31/12/2021 | £6.2m | £8.8m |
Common questions
Is THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR FOR HIGHER EDUCATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus on general reserves of £1,072,407 for the year ended 31 December 2025, bringing total unrestricted funds to £4,403,225. Per the trustees' report, the financial position remained sound with reliable income from higher education provider subscriptions, and the charity maintains a reserves target of approximately £3,000,000. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by UHY Ross Brooke.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR FOR HIGHER EDUCATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £150,001 - £160,000 band.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ACHISOMOCH AID COMPANY LIMITED | 2 | £1.2m |
| UNITED TALMUDICAL ASSOCIATES LTD | 1 | £308k |
| THREE PILLARS TRUST | 1 | £240k |
| DILLHAVEN LIMITED | 1 | £208k |
| MYR CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £98k |
| LONIA LIMITED | 1 | £60k |
| S C K CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £46k |
| RINA CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £31k |
Charities like this
- BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR INDEPENDENT FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
- HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY INSTITUTE
- UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION
- NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND NON-MAINTAINED SPECIAL SCHOOLS
- ST HILDA'S COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
- THE INDEPENDENT JEWISH DAY SCHOOL FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADJUDICATOR FOR HIGHER EDUCATION | £9.1m | £150,001 - £160,000 | — | above | — | no doubt |
| BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR INDEPENDENT FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION | £782k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY INSTITUTE | £842k | £110,000 - £119,999 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES INFORMATION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION | £2.4m | £160,001 - £170,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND NON-MAINTAINED SPECIAL SCHOOLS | £465k | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| ST HILDA'S COLLEGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | £16.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |