WISE CHILDREN LIMITED
Wise Children is a new theatre company conceived, created and led by multi award-winning director Emma Rice. Wise Children create landmark work with exceptional artists, challenge outmoded theatre touring models, train the next generation of creative practitioners, and discover the creative spaces of the future.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £232,484 on a turnover of £3,382,406, with unrestricted reserves held at £499,584. The trustees consider the financial position stable, noting that Arts Council England funding is secured until 2028 and cash reserves are adequate to support operations for at least 12 months.
What the accounts disclose
“Two employees received remuneration in excess of £60,000 in the year” — page 23
“In 2024/25, Production income accounted for 81% of annual income”
“Fundraising accounts for 5% of total income”
“Level of general reserves at March 2025: £499,584.” — page 9
“During the year, there were recharges of production costs from Wise Children to Wise Children Productions Ltd (a 100% owned subsidiary of the charity) of £2,787,329 and production fees of £2,095,207 returned to Wise Children.” — page 30
“On 19 July 2024 the charity incorporated a wholly owned trading subsidiary, Wise Children Productions Limited, a company limited by shares.” — page 7
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "above" (FY2024) to "below" (FY2025).
In the news
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Emma Rice — Artistic Director
- Clare Reddington — Chair
- Poppy Keeling — Executive Director
- Simon Baker — Creative Director
- Laura Keefe — Associate Director & Head Of Training
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- CLARE REDDINGTONchair
- ASHUTOSH ANANT KHANDEKAR
- Alan Brodie
- Irma Lorna Inniss
- Judith Dimant
- Kane Husbands
- Simon Peter Inch
- Yuko Thomas
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £3.4m | £3.2m |
| 31/03/2024 | £2.0m | £2.0m |
| 31/03/2023 | £2.8m | £2.6m |
| 31/03/2022 | £2.0m | £1.6m |
| 31/03/2021 | £954k | £699k |
Common questions
Is WISE CHILDREN LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £232,484 on a turnover of £3,382,406, with unrestricted reserves held at £499,584. The trustees consider the financial position stable, noting that Arts Council England funding is secured until 2028 and cash reserves are adequate to support operations for at least 12 months. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Knox Cropper LLP.
Who funds WISE CHILDREN LIMITED?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WISE CHILDREN LIMITED as a grant recipient include JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION, THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION, THE REED FOUNDATION, THE GOLSONCOTT FOUNDATION, THE FENTON ARTS TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN ELLERMAN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £90k | Towards core costs supporting the creation and touring of new work |
| THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £37k | Grant |
| THE REED FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £22k | Christmas Challenge |
| THE GOLSONCOTT FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £500 | |
| THE FENTON ARTS TRUST | FY2023 | £0 | |
| THE FENTON ARTS TRUST | FY2022 | £0 | |
| THE REED FOUNDATION | FY2021 | — |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ACTING FOR OTHERS | 1 | £16k |
| THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND | 1 | £11k |
| THE JOHN THAW FOUNDATION | 1 | £8k |
| THE GROCERS' CHARITY | 1 | £5k |
| CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE LECHE TRUST | 1 | £4k |
| THE DYERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| Newcomen Collett Educational Foundation | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- WISE
- ALL SAINTS WISE OWLS
- THEATRE-RITES
- BOX CLEVER THEATRE COMPANY
- TALL STORIES THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED
- THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WISE CHILDREN LIMITED | £3.4m | — | 2 | below | 5.0% | no doubt |
| WISE | £760k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ALL SAINTS WISE OWLS | £88k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THEATRE-RITES | £278k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BOX CLEVER THEATRE COMPANY | £447k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| TALL STORIES THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED | £2.9m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |