CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD
At Chapter One, we want to create a world where all children have the literacy skills needed to thrive, so we provide one to one reading support at the time they need it most. We provide thousands of children across the UK with online reading volunteers, and also run an early literacy intervention programme. Please visit our website to learn more about our work!
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £188,470 for the year ended 31 July 2025, with total income of £1,816,178 and expenditure of £1,627,708. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves at year-end were £968,190, which is in excess of the Board’s stated target of four months' expenditure (£680,000). The auditors confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“Three employees earned more than £60,000 during the year, two earning between £80,001 and £90,000, and one between £90,001 and £100,000” — page 25
“Three employees earned more than £60,000 during the year” — page 25
“We intend to maintain our reserves at a level which is equivalent to four months’ worth of current expenditure/running costs, currently £680k”
“Controlling party Chapter One US (NFP), a 501c3 non-profit in the US, is the sole shareholder of Chapter One (U.K.) Ltd. During the year, a grant of £123,377 was received from Chapter One US (2024: £162,627). No amounts were outstanding at year end.”
“Sarah Bell (Trustee) is the sister-in-law of Emma Bell, Chief Executive, however the Board are satisfied that any potential conflict has been mitigated, and Sarah has not been involved in any decisions relating to Emma's remuneration.” — page 30
“Controlling party Chapter One US (NFP), a 501c3 non-profit in the US, is the sole shareholder of Chapter One (U.K.) Ltd. During the year, a grant of £123,377 was received from Chapter One US (2024: £162,627). No amounts were outstanding at year end.”
“Sarah Bell (Trustee) is the sister-in-law of Emma Bell, Chief Executive, however the Board are satisfied that any potential conflict has been mitigated, and Sarah has not been involved in any decisions relating to Emma's remuneration.” — page 30
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2024) to £90,001 - £100,000 (FY2025).
- Employees paid over £60,000: 2 (FY2024) → 3 (FY2025).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Emma Bell — Chief Executive Officer
- Seth Weinberger — Chair
- Alex Green — Vice Chair
- Zoe Pierre — Treasurer
Funders the charity credits
- Sellafield Ltd
- Cisco Foundation
- Amentum
- Mott Macdonald
- Cavendish Nuclear
- Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation
- The Childhood Trust
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- SETH WEINBERGERchair
- Alexander James Stuart Green
- Dr Lucy Clare Heady
- Jonathan Lloyd
- Lisa Jane Hayes
- Marie Helen Broad
- SARAH BELL
- Teresa Kiely
- Zoe Amelia Pierre
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £1.8m | £1.6m |
| 31/07/2024 | £1.5m | £1.2m |
| 31/07/2023 | £959k | £835k |
| 31/07/2022 | £692k | £467k |
| 31/07/2021 | £457k | £263k |
Common questions
Is CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £188,470 for the year ended 31 July 2025, with total income of £1,816,178 and expenditure of £1,627,708. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves at year-end were £968,190, which is in excess of the Board’s stated target of four months' expenditure (£680,000). The auditors confirmed there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Godfrey Wilson Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £90,001 - £100,000 band, and 3 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD as a grant recipient include THE PORTRACK CHARITABLE TRUST, SODEXO STOP HUNGER FOUNDATION, THE HARGREAVES FOUNDATION, Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation UK, DRAPERS CHARITABLE FUND.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE DULVERTON TRUST | 2 | £265k |
| MISS E F RATHBONE CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £5k |
| THE MOHN WESTLAKE FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.0m |
| THE HEALTH FOUNDATION | 1 | £496k |
| The Barratt Redrow Foundation | 1 | £403k |
| THE NUFFIELD FOUNDATION | 1 | £382k |
| THE PEARS FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £300k |
| CLARA E BURGESS CHARITY | 1 | £209k |
Charities like this
- SCHOOLREADERS
- THE CHILDREN'S LITERACY CHARITY
- CHAPTER2
- FULL FACT
- FIRST RUNG LTD
- THE CENTRE FOR LITERACY IN PRIMARY EDUCATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD | £1.8m | £90,001 - £100,000 | 3 | above | — | no doubt |
| SCHOOLREADERS | £940k | more than £60,000 | 1 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE CHILDREN'S LITERACY CHARITY | £902k | Under £60,000 | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CHAPTER2 | £231k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FULL FACT | £2.9m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |
| FIRST RUNG LTD | £2.3m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |