AKO FOUNDATION
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the Foundation held unrestricted reserves of £1,271,882,000 at the end of the financial year, which the trustees consider more than adequate to meet commitments and continue as a grant-making charity. The organization reported a net incoming resource deficit for the year due to high grant expenditures relative to incoming resources, but maintains a substantial cash and investment position. The trustees confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue in operational existence.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee had remuneration, excluding employer pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions, exceeding £60,000 and within the £140,001 to £150,000 band.” — page 39
“One employee had remuneration, excluding employer pension contributions and employer national insurance contributions, exceeding £60,000 and within the £140,001 to £150,000 band.” — page 39
“The Foundation’s reserves policy is to ensure it maintains adequate funds to meet its commitments and to hold reserves while it identifies appropriate projects to fund. It does not currently hold any restricted funds and thus characterises all funds as unrestricted reserves.”
“David Woodburn, a trustee, is a partner in AKO Capital LLP which is the investment manager of the AKO funds in which assets from the Foundation are invested. The investment by the Foundation is in the Management Shares of these AKO funds and these shares are non-fee paying. Therefore, AKO Capital LLP receives no benefit from these investments by the Foundation.” — page 50
“During 2025 AKO Capital Management Limited, a company which is part of the AKO Capital group, made donations of £4,000 (2024: £6,000) to the Foundation.” — page 50
“David Woodburn, a trustee, is a partner in AKO Capital LLP which is the investment manager of the AKO funds in which assets from the Foundation are invested. The investment by the Foundation is in the Management Shares of these AKO funds and these shares are non-fee paying. Therefore, AKO Capital LLP receives no benefit from these investments by the Foundation.” — page 50
“During 2025 AKO Capital Management Limited, a company which is part of the AKO Capital group, made donations of £4,000 (2024: £6,000) to the Foundation.” — page 50
“The Foundation owns or owned the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of the following subsidiary undertakings: • AKO Subsidiary 2020 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 12847959.” — page 45
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 2 (FY2024) → 1 (FY2025).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- David Matthew Woodburn
- HENRIK PREBEN SYSE
- Sally Morven Procopis
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £70.2m | £85.6m |
| 31/12/2024 | £120.0m | £75.7m |
| 31/12/2023 | £117.4m | £46.7m |
| 31/12/2022 | £79.1m | £34.8m |
| 31/12/2021 | £268.5m | £41.1m |
Common questions
Is AKO FOUNDATION financially healthy?
The accounts state that the Foundation held unrestricted reserves of £1,271,882,000 at the end of the financial year, which the trustees consider more than adequate to meet commitments and continue as a grant-making charity. The organization reported a net incoming resource deficit for the year due to high grant expenditures relative to incoming resources, but maintains a substantial cash and investment position. The trustees confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue in operational existence. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sayer Vincent LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of AKO FOUNDATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £140,001 - £150,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE GENERATIONAL FOUNDATION | 1 | £500k |