READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION
THE UNION'S OBJECTS ARE THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION OF STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF READING.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £258,534 for the year ended 31 July 2025, driven by higher salary costs and depreciation linked to commercial refurbishments. Despite this deficit and a significant pension liability, the trustees confirm the charity remains a going concern, supported by free reserves of £1,167,254 and confirmed block grant funding from the University of Reading for the upcoming three years.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £70,000 was 2 (2024: nil).” — page 26
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £70,000 was 2 (2024: nil).” — page 26
“The General Reserve amounts to £1,167,254. After the £850,000 reserves this leaves a balance of £317,254.” — page 12
“The Union is in receipt of a recurrent grant from the University of Reading of £1,738,000 (2024: £1,727,335). The Union also received loans from the University in previous years, and in 2025 made repayments totalling £54,000 (2024: £54,000). In addition, the Union occupies its building under a lease from The University of Reading for a charge of £100 per year until 25th March 2036 under an agreement whereby the Union maintains the building in a good state of repair.” — page 30
“The defined benefit pension provision is included on the Balance Sheet to comply with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). The overall impact of this inclusion is a liability of £1,079k (2023-24 £1,039.5k.)” — page 13
“Little Learners at RUSU Ltd (company number 03723877) and RUSU Trading Limited (company number 08308331) are both limited liability companies wholly owned by Reading Students’ Union.” — page 6
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2024) → 2 (FY2025).
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Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- Jack Edward Maddockchair
- Abdul Basit
- Ashmit Singh
- Debra Mary Soper
- Ellie Catrina Wiles
- James Charles Hugh Beaver
- Mike Phillips
- Raymond Ellison
- Salman Ali Agha
- Tadiwanashe Brian Bonyongwa
- Ysabela Ray Cabrera
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £5.6m | £5.9m |
| 31/07/2024 | £5.3m | £5.5m |
| 31/07/2023 | £5.1m | £5.2m |
| 31/07/2022 | £5.1m | £4.7m |
| 31/07/2021 | £3.4m | £3.1m |
Common questions
Is READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £258,534 for the year ended 31 July 2025, driven by higher salary costs and depreciation linked to commercial refurbishments. Despite this deficit and a significant pension liability, the trustees confirm the charity remains a going concern, supported by free reserves of £1,167,254 and confirmed block grant funding from the University of Reading for the upcoming three years. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Gravita Audit Oxford LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the more than £70,000 band, and 2 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION as a grant recipient include BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | FY2024 | £5k | Development project |
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | FY2025 | £1k | Transition fund |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE EARLEY CHARITY | 1 | £172k |
| THEIRWORLD | 1 | £100k |
| CHASDEI MOISHE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| JEWISH CHILD'S DAY | 1 | £5k |
| SUSANNA PEAKE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE WOODWARD CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD
- UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON STUDENTS' UNION
- THE LONDON READING CENTRE
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER STUDENTS' UNION
- READING VOLUNTARY ACTION
- LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS' UNION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION | £5.6m | more than £70,000 | 2 | above | — | no doubt |
| GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD | £4.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON STUDENTS' UNION | £4.1m | £60,000 - £100,000 | 3 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE LONDON READING CENTRE | £104k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER STUDENTS' UNION | £1.2m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| READING VOLUNTARY ACTION | £723k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |