THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST
The purpose of the charity is the advancement of the arts and the promotion and widening of public appreciation and interest in the arts in Henley-on-Thames and the surrounding area and other such places as the trustees may from time to time determine for the benefit of the public.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity recorded a net income before taxation of £114,473, bringing total unrestricted reserves to £715,489. Per the trustees' report, this level of reserves is within the stated target range of £400,000 to £750,000. The trustees and auditors confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue operating as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £100,001 - £110,000” — page 28
“have set a target to maintain unrestricted funds between £400,000 - £750,000.”
“During the year, legal fees of £25,500 (2024: £24,000) were paid to a legal firm for which one of the Trustees acts as a consultant, and sponsorship totalling £6,000 (2024: £6,000) was received from that firm.” — page 40
“During the year the charity received Patrons' fees and donations totalling £11,250 (2024: £10,500) from Trustees.” — page 40
“During the year, legal fees of £25,500 (2024: £24,000) were paid to a legal firm for which one of the Trustees acts as a consultant, and sponsorship totalling £6,000 (2024: £6,000) was received from that firm.” — page 40
“During the year the charity received Patrons' fees and donations totalling £11,250 (2024: £10,500) from Trustees.” — page 40
“During the year, legal fees of £25,500 (2024: £24,000) were paid to a legal firm for which one of the Trustees acts as a consultant, and sponsorship totalling £6,000 (2024: £6,000) was received from that firm.” — page 40
“During the year the charity received Patrons' fees and donations totalling £11,250 (2024: £10,500) from Trustees.” — page 40
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "above" (FY2024) to "within" (FY2025).
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: HENLEY FESTIVAL LIMITED Companies House 02284295
- Profit before tax: £-7k
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £100k
- Loan write-off of £915,380 treated as capital contribution.
“The company made a charity donation of £100,000 (2024: £nil} to The Henley Festival Trust during the period.”
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/10/2025)
Trustees
- Susan Laingchair
- ANTHONY MALLIN
- Gary Hutchinson
- Lord HOWARD DARRYL LEIGH
- MALCOLM HEAD
- Marija Rompani
- Mary Homer
- Swagatam Mukerji
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/10/2025 | £4.6m | £4.5m |
| 31/10/2024 | £4.0m | £4.1m |
| 31/10/2023 | £4.1m | £3.9m |
| 31/10/2022 | £4.2m | £3.8m |
| 31/10/2021 | £3.0m | £2.8m |
Common questions
Is THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity recorded a net income before taxation of £114,473, bringing total unrestricted reserves to £715,489. Per the trustees' report, this level of reserves is within the stated target range of £400,000 to £750,000. The trustees and auditors confirm that the charity has adequate resources to continue operating as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by FLB Audit LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £100,001 - £110,000 band.
Who funds THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST as a grant recipient include THE CHRISTOPHER LAING FOUNDATION, THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ANNABEL ARBIB FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE CHRISTOPHER LAING FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £5k | Other |
| THE CHRISTOPHER LAING FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k | |
| THE CHRISTOPHER LAING FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £5k | |
| THE CHRISTOPHER LAING FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £5k | |
| THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £2k | |
| THE ANNABEL ARBIB FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £250 | Other |
| THE A S CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | — |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ARDEOLA CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £72k |
| THE GEOFFREY AND PAULINE MARTIN TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| THE STEVENSON FAMILY'S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £7k |
| THE HULL AND EAST RIDING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE SAMUEL STOREY FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £300 |
Charities like this
- HENLEY EDUCATIONAL TRUST
- Henley on Thames Parochial Church Council
- HENLEY AND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, IN THE DIOCESE OF OXFORD
- THE OLD MEETING HOUSE TRUST
- HENLEY ON THAMES ALMSHOUSE CHARITY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE HENLEY FESTIVAL TRUST | £4.6m | £100,001 - £110,000 | — | within | — | no doubt |
| HENLEY EDUCATIONAL TRUST | £184k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Henley on Thames Parochial Church Council | £215k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| HENLEY AND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £156k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, HENLEY-ON-THAMES, IN THE DIOCESE OF OXFORD | £369k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE OLD MEETING HOUSE TRUST | £2.2m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |