THE VINDOLANDA TRUST
The principal object of the charitable company is for the archaelogical excavation, conservation, preservation, public display, education and enjoyment of the Roman remains and artefacts at Vindolanda.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £304,083 for the year, with total unrestricted funds of £7,446,480. The trustees confirm that free reserves of approximately £1,012,739 are above the stated policy target of six months' expenditure on staff salaries and fixed costs. The auditor's report confirms that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that there are no material uncertainties related to going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 2025 No. 1 In the band £60,001 - £70,000” — page 31
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 2025 No. 1” — page 31
“The target minimum level of free reserves is set at the equivalent of six months’ expenditure on staff salaries and other fixed costs, including the maintenance of Trust properties, amounting to approximately £600,000.”
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2024) → 1 (FY2025).
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Patrick Chapmanchair
- Claire Webb
- Dr Gillian Taylor
- Dr Jacqui Huntley
- Fraser John Hunter
- NIcola Iles
- Prof Trudi Buck
- Rachel Sullivan
- Richard Spencer
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £2.9m | £2.6m |
| 31/12/2024 | £2.9m | £2.3m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.7m | £2.0m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.8m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.7m | £1.6m |
Common questions
Is THE VINDOLANDA TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £304,083 for the year, with total unrestricted funds of £7,446,480. The trustees confirm that free reserves of approximately £1,012,739 are above the stated policy target of six months' expenditure on staff salaries and fixed costs. The auditor's report confirms that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that there are no material uncertainties related to going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by UNW LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE VINDOLANDA TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,001 - £70,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds THE VINDOLANDA TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE VINDOLANDA TRUST as a grant recipient include JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £89k | Towards core costs including salaries, training and development for new curatorial programme ‘The Land We Walk On’ |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 01/04/2023 | £7k | Vindolanda Roman Fort, Hexham, Northumberland |
| UK government | 01/04/2022 | £4k | Vindolanda Roman Fort, Hexham, Northumberland |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 16/09/2021 | £1.7m | "Roman Magna on Hadrian’s Wall- Creating a Living Legacy at The Fort on the Rock" |
| UK government | 25/03/2021 | £24k | University of Newcastle upon Tyne (The) and Vindolanda Trust (The) |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 10/03/2016 | £1.4m | "Unlocking Vindolanda's Wooden Underworld" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/03/2013 | £525k | "Extending access to the Vindolanda heritage and Archaeological Experience" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 30/09/2008 | £4.1m | "Vindolanda Trust Heritage Access & Interpretation Project" |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 12/07/2005 | £100k | Grant awarded to The Vindolanda Trust (Northumberland) |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/06/2005 | £377k | "Vindolanda Visitor Access and Interpretation Development" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 05/11/2003 | £28k | "Purchase of Additional Archaeological Land at Vindolanda" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 14/06/2002 | £146k | "Aerial Guided Tour, Hadrian's Wall" |
| Northern Rock Foundation | 12/06/2001 | £62k | Grant awarded to The Vindolanda Trust (Northumberland) |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 27/01/2000 | £36k | "Chesterholm Museum Display Case Replacement Programme" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 2 | £36k |
| LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM FRIENDS | 1 | £639k |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | 1 | £130k |
| THE CLORE DUFFIELD FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION | 1 | £750 |
Charities like this
- YORK ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST FOR EXCAVATION AND RESEARCH LIMITED
- Brading Roman Villa Trust
- WEST STOW SAXON VILLAGE TRUST
- THE TRUST FOR WELSH ARCHAEOLOGY
- VULCAN RESTORATION TRUST
- BRESSINGHAM STEAM PRESERVATION COMPANY LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE VINDOLANDA TRUST | £2.9m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| YORK ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST FOR EXCAVATION AND RESEARCH LIMITED | £11.6m | £160,001 - £170,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Brading Roman Villa Trust | £396k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| WEST STOW SAXON VILLAGE TRUST | £146k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE TRUST FOR WELSH ARCHAEOLOGY | £3.5m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| VULCAN RESTORATION TRUST | £217k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |