UNIVERSITY OF YORK STUDENTS' UNION
Latest income
£6.9m
Latest spending
£6.4m
Registered
2017
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a net surplus of £119,889 for the year ended 31 July 2024, with total income of £5,726,906 and total expenditure of £5,607,017. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves were negative (£117,751), but free cash reserves stood at £329,492, which is below the stated operational contingency minimum of £384,000.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: 10% of operating costs (held: £329k)
“Reserve levels have been considered on a risk management basis with a minimum reserves level of 10% of operating costs. For 2023/24, this gave a minimum reserves level of £384,000.”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Sabbatical Officer Trustees received remuneration. Aggregate amount payable under such contracts in the year was £136,181 (2023: £121,336).
“The full-time officers of the Trustee Board receive remuneration for their services as provided for within the Constitution. The aggregate amount payable under such contracts in the year was £136,181 (2023: £121,336).” — page 85
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Union is in receipt of a recurrent grant from the University of York of £2,027,367 (2023: £1,783,108). The Union also made sales to the University for services provided totalling £141,551 (2023: £81,257). The Union incurred expenditure from the University totalling £129,534 (2023: £89,358). At the year end, the Group was owed £59,436 by the University (2023: £69,822).
“The Union is in receipt of a recurrent grant from the University of York of £2,027,367 (2023: £1,783,108). The Union also made sales to the University for services provided totalling £141,551 (2023: £81,257). The Union incurred expenditure from the University totalling £129,534 (2023: £89,358). At the year end, the Group was owed £59,436 by the University (2023: £69,822). In addition the Union occupies its building on a rent free basis under an informal licence subject to the Union maintaining the building in a good state of repair. In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102, the trustees have estimated that the provision of space and associated services is worth £123,032 (2023: £121,502) to the Union and have recognised this amount in the Statement of Financial Activities. The full-time officers of the Trustee Board receive remuneration for their services as provided for within the Constitution. The aggregate amount payable under such contracts in the year was £136,181 (2023: £121,336). YUSU Commercial Services Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of York Students' Union. Some of the Trustees of the Union are also directors of this company. At the year end, amounts owed by YUSU Commercial Services Limited were £78,110 (2023: £102,271). During the year the Union received payments from the company relating to equipment rental of £15,000 (2023: £15,000), management charges of £12,000 (2023: £12,000). The Union made payments to YUSU Commercial Services Limited of £65,302 (2023: £64,109) under a catering agreement. During the year, expenditure of £63,763 (2023: £96,066) was payable from the University of York and received income of £5,443 (2023: £7,640) relating to bar and catering suppliers. The amount owed to the company was £25,988 (2023: £55,983).” — page 85
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Pension scheme deficit: £673k
“the reserves position includes provision for the revalued 2024 Students’ Union Superannuation Scheme (SUSS) pension deficit of £672,613” — page 30
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Total income
£6.9m
Total spending
£6.4m
Cost of raising funds
£1.1m
Reserves (reported)
£805k
Employees
71
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (16/10/2025)
Trustees
- Abigail Harrison
- Alexander David Brown
- Alfie Joseph
- Aya Sarah Haidar
- Bhanu Kiran Dakkumalla
- Darcy Graham
- Dominic Smithies
- Dr Adam Peter Dawkins
- Eros Dalla Sega
- Karishma Asher
- Samuel Frederick Dickinson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £6.9m | £6.4m |
| 31/07/2024 | £5.7m | £5.6m |
| 31/07/2023 | £5.8m | £5.9m |
| 31/07/2022 | £5.8m | £5.6m |
| 31/07/2021 | £4.2m | £3.8m |
Common questions
Is UNIVERSITY OF YORK STUDENTS' UNION financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity achieved a net surplus of £119,889 for the year ended 31 July 2024, with total income of £5,726,906 and total expenditure of £5,607,017. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves were negative (£117,751), but free cash reserves stood at £329,492, which is below the stated operational contingency minimum of £384,000. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by BHP LLP.
Who funds UNIVERSITY OF YORK STUDENTS' UNION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name UNIVERSITY OF YORK STUDENTS' UNION as a grant recipient include BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | FY2025 | £750 |
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | FY2025 | £200 |
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | FY2023 | £200 |
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | FY2024 | £0 |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE COMPANY OF MERCHANT TAYLORS OF THE CITY OF YORK | 1 | £15k |
| THE GEOFF & FIONA SQUIRE FOUNDATION | 1 | £5k |
| The Cranswick Charitable Trust | 1 | £5k |
| MAY HEARNSHAW CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £4k |
| THE EARL FITZWILLIAM CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |