Saffron Music Trust
THE CHARITY PRODUCES A FULL PROGRAMME OF ARTISTIC PRESENTATIONS AT SAFFRON HALL.THE CONCERTS ARE ATTRACTING AUDIENCES TO HIGH QUALITY EVENTS FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA AND BEYOND STRETCHING INTO CAMBRIDGE AND THE BORDERING COUNTIES. PERFORMERS INVITED BY SAFFRON HALL TRUST ARE ENGAGING WITH STUDENTS FROM SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST PRINCIPALLY IN THE FORM OF MASTERCLASSES
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £46,418 for the year ended 31 August 2025, improving from a deficit in the prior year. However, the charity holds net liabilities of £292,977 and unrestricted free reserves are in deficit by £465,028. The trustees and auditors have identified material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern due to its reliance on future grant and donation income.
What the accounts disclose
“Income from our charitable activities was £1,297,381 compared to £1,270,770 in the previous year.” — page 16
“Fundraising costs remained steady at £96,526 compared to £93,535 in the previous year.” — page 16
“General (free) reserves on 31 August 2025 were in deficit by £465,028 (2024: £576,125).” — page 17
“Therefore, the Trustees acknowledge that there are material uncertainties that cast significant doubt about the Trust's ability to continue as a going concern and that it may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.”
“On 1 March 2025, Angela Dixon, Chief Executive, was appointed as a Trustee. Since the date of appointment, in her capacity as Chief Executive, remuneration including benefits amounted to £53,045 (2024: £nil); company pension contributions amounted to £4,715 (2024: £nil).” — page 42
“The total amount of donations received from trustees amounted to £29,020 (2024: £36,424). There were no other related party transactions in the current or prior year.” — page 48
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Angela Dixon MBE — Chief Executive
- Dominic Wallis — Chair
- Chris Wheal — Technical Director
- Graham King — Business Development Director
- Thomas Hardy — Learning & Participation Director
- Angela Au — Finance Director
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Trustees
- Dominic Laurence Carden Wallis Mrchair
- Angela Christine Dixon MBE
- David Anthony Barrs
- Ellen Jane Richardson
- JOHN STUART LODGE
- Lorna Jane Rolfe
- Mark Andrew Guest
- Nick Finlayson-Brown
- Paul Richard Abrey
- Polly Lankester
- Susanna Elizabeth Houtheusen
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £2.2m | £2.1m |
| 31/08/2024 | £2.2m | £2.3m |
| 31/08/2023 | £1.8m | £1.9m |
| 31/08/2022 | £1.7m | £1.8m |
| 31/08/2021 | £1.2m | £983k |
Common questions
Is Saffron Music Trust financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £46,418 for the year ended 31 August 2025, improving from a deficit in the prior year. However, the charity holds net liabilities of £292,977 and unrestricted free reserves are in deficit by £465,028. The trustees and auditors have identified material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern due to its reliance on future grant and donation income. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Streets Audit LLP.
Who funds Saffron Music Trust?
Funders whose own accounts filings name Saffron Music Trust as a grant recipient include EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION, ESSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE HELEN ROLL CHARITY, THE LESLIE MARY CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST, THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £35k | Restricted Subsidiary Trust |
| ESSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £22k | |
| THE HELEN ROLL CHARITY | FY2023 | £10k | |
| THE HELEN ROLL CHARITY | FY2024 | £8k | |
| THE HELEN ROLL CHARITY | FY2025 | £7k | |
| THE HELEN ROLL CHARITY | FY2022 | £6k | |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k | Grants from restricted funds to organisations |
| THE LESLIE MARY CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £5k | |
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £4k | |
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £4k | |
| GAMLEN CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £3k | |
| EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £3k | Grants from restricted funds to organisations |
| CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £3k | |
| CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £3k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | 3 | £40k |
| THE MARCHUS TRUST | 3 | £13k |
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 3 | £13k |
| THE GOLSONCOTT FOUNDATION | 3 | £6k |
| THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £405k |
| The Ashley Family Foundation | 2 | £19k |
| THE JOHN THAW FOUNDATION | 2 | £3k |
| CHAPMAN CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £3k |
Charities like this
- WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE TRUST LTD
- THE ENGLISH CONCERT
- Haslemere Concerts
- OXFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TRUST
- GABRIELI
- ACADEMY OF ST MARTIN IN THE FIELDS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saffron Music Trust | £2.2m | — | 0 | below | 11.0% | material uncertainty |
| WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE TRUST LTD | £1.2m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ENGLISH CONCERT | £1.4m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Haslemere Concerts | £102k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| OXFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TRUST | £3.1m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | within | — | no doubt |
| GABRIELI | £994k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |