SEA LIFE TRUST LIMITED
The SEA LIFE TRUST develops, delivers and supports projects and campaigns and operates marine wildlife sanctuaries to help make a measurable difference to the protection of marine and freshwater wildlife and habitats across the world. Our main focus areas are: campaigning for freshwater & marine protection, reducing plastic pollution & overfishing in our seas and marine rescue & rehabilitation.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that total income increased to £6,763,872, resulting in a net income of £1,899,751 for the period. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £7,154,752, which the Trustees consider an appropriate level relative to their policy of covering staff notice periods and outstanding donation commitments. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees target having reserves at a level to be sufficient to cover the notice period and salaries of any staff directly employed by the Trust plus any outstanding donation commitments made.”
“The Merlin made cash donations to the Charity of £1,000,000 (2023: £nil) and made Gift in Kind and donated services donations totalling £145,703 (2023: £161,401). There is an arms-length loan facility with Merlin. This facility was utilised and repaid during 2023, and a further amount of £350,000 was drawn down in early 2024, this was repaid before the period end.” — page 41
“Merlin was not reimbursed for the salary costs of some employees of the SEA LIFE TRUST for 2024 totalling £134,268 (2023: £135,682). These are accounted for as GIK donated services.” — page 33
“The Merlin made cash donations to the Charity of £1,000,000 (2023: £nil) and made Gift in Kind and donated services donations totalling £145,703 (2023: £161,401). There is an arms-length loan facility with Merlin. This facility was utilised and repaid during 2023, and a further amount of £350,000 was drawn down in early 2024, this was repaid before the period end.” — page 41
“Merlin was not reimbursed for the salary costs of some employees of the SEA LIFE TRUST for 2024 totalling £134,268 (2023: £135,682). These are accounted for as GIK donated services.” — page 33
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (02/01/2019)
Trustees
- Andy Turner
- Asha Amster
- Carrie Robinson
- Chloe Elizabeth Couchman
- JAMES BURLEIGH
- Matthew Jowett
- Richard Beighton
- Robert Hicks
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £6.8m | £4.8m |
| 31/12/2023 | £4.1m | £4.1m |
| 31/12/2022 | £3.6m | £4.0m |
| 31/12/2021 | £4.0m | £3.5m |
| 31/12/2020 | £2.5m | £3.3m |
Common questions
Is SEA LIFE TRUST LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that total income increased to £6,763,872, resulting in a net income of £1,899,751 for the period. The charity holds unrestricted reserves of £7,154,752, which the Trustees consider an appropriate level relative to their policy of covering staff notice periods and outstanding donation commitments. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Forvis Mazars LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | 3 | £61k |
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | 1 | £467k |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 1 | £350k |
| THE SANDERSON FOUNDATION | 1 | £215k |
| THE NINESQUARE TRUST | 1 | £162k |
| THE DULVERTON TRUST | 1 | £100k |
| THE DIXON FOUNDATION | 1 | £65k |
| WHEELER MILL FOUNDATION | 1 | £59k |
Charities like this
- FRESHWATER HABITATS TRUST
- Ocean Conservation Trust Limited
- MALDIVES WHALE SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAMME LIMITED
- THAMES RIVERS TRUST
- SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST
- ATLANTIC SALMON TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA LIFE TRUST LIMITED | £6.8m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| FRESHWATER HABITATS TRUST | £2.8m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| Ocean Conservation Trust Limited | £7.5m | — | — | above | 27.0% | no doubt |
| MALDIVES WHALE SHARK RESEARCH PROGRAMME LIMITED | £250k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THAMES RIVERS TRUST | £136k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST | £5.3m | — | — | within | 15.1% | no doubt |