The Auckland Project
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an operating deficit of £1,235,263 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by a significant £8,477,370 impairment charge on tangible fixed assets. Despite this deficit, the charity holds free unrestricted reserves of £10,139,028, which the trustees confirm are sufficient to complete medium-term plans and continue operations.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £160,001 - £170,000 4” — page 29
“Donations of £3,348,000 (2024: £40,000) were received from Jonathan Ruffer for continued support of TAPs operations and a number of projects including development of TAP properties into holiday lets, purchase of antique furniture and a documentary film.” — page 11
“One of TAPs properties is rented to Jonathan and Jane Ruffer. The rent received for the period totals £8,100.” — page 42
“Donations of £3,348,000 (2024: £40,000) were received from Jonathan Ruffer for continued support of TAPs operations and a number of projects including development of TAP properties into holiday lets, purchase of antique furniture and a documentary film.” — page 11
“One of TAPs properties is rented to Jonathan and Jane Ruffer. The rent received for the period totals £8,100.” — page 42
“Donations of £3,348,000 (2024: £40,000) were received from Jonathan Ruffer for continued support of TAPs operations and a number of projects including development of TAP properties into holiday lets, purchase of antique furniture and a documentary film.” — page 11
“One of TAPs properties is rented to Jonathan and Jane Ruffer. The rent received for the period totals £8,100.” — page 42
“The financial statements consolidate the results of TAP and its wholly owned subsidiaries TAP Trading Limited, Weardale Railway Limited and Park Head Leisure Limited on a line-by-line basis.” — page 21
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Nicholas Holtam — Chair
Funders the charity credits
- Visit England Heritage Fund
- Visit England
- Britains Finest
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Brendan Godfrey Eamonn Finucane
- Jane Elizabeth Bonnar Dean
- Jennifer Anne Scott
- Judith Eva Layfield
- MARQUESS ARTHUR FRANCIS NICHOLAS WILLS DOWNSHIRE
- Rev Nicholas Roderick Holtam
- Robert John Yorke
- Robert Neville
- Victoria Jill Bell
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £14.5m | £15.7m |
| 31/03/2024 | £14.1m | £13.7m |
| 31/03/2023 | £7.8m | £11.8m |
| 31/03/2022 | £6.6m | £8.2m |
| 31/03/2021 | £11.3m | £8.0m |
Common questions
Is The Auckland Project financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported an operating deficit of £1,235,263 for the year ended 31 March 2025, driven by a significant £8,477,370 impairment charge on tangible fixed assets. Despite this deficit, the charity holds free unrestricted reserves of £10,139,028, which the trustees confirm are sufficient to complete medium-term plans and continue operations. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by S&W Audit.
What does the highest-paid employee of The Auckland Project earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £160,001 - £170,000 band.
Who funds The Auckland Project?
Funders whose own accounts filings name The Auckland Project as a grant recipient include NATIONAL ART COLLECTIONS FUND, THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION, ROCKCLIFFE CHARITABLE TRUST, THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL ART COLLECTIONS FUND | FY2024 | £325k |
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £300k |
| ROCKCLIFFE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £20k |
| THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £6k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 23/04/2013 | £12.4m | "Auckland Castle: Creating Faith in a Better Future" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £338k |
| THE NATIONAL MANUSCRIPTS CONSERVATION TRUST | 1 | £18k |
| THE ROSE FOUNDATION | 1 | £5k |
| THE ROYAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE | 1 | £5k |
| THE HAROLD HYAM WINGATE FOUNDATION | 1 | £4k |
| EDWARD HARVIST (ALSO KNOWN AS THE HARVIST ESTATE) | 1 | £1k |