UNITED KINGDOM RESERVE FORCES ASSOCIATION
UKRFA provides financial support to enable UK serving Reservists to participate in international reservist activities both within NATO and wider across the world. Support is available to Reserve Officers, Reserve Medical Officers, and Reserve Non Commissioned Officers. Activities supported include Education and Training, which enhance the utility and employability of Reservists in civilian life.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity operated at a net deficit of £66,260, reducing its unrestricted reserves from £106,385 to £40,125. The trustees consider this position acceptable and confirm the charity has adequate resources to continue as a going concern. The charity holds no investments other than surplus cash and relies primarily on grants from the Ministry of Defence.
What the accounts disclose
“In certain financial years the income received cannot be wholly spent by the year end, and as the highest level of expenditure occurs in the first 6 months of the financial year it is prudent to hold year to year surpluses to cover any delays especially in the receipt of incoming funding.” — page 5
“During the year, honorarium totalling £25,144 (2024: £25,144) was paid to the Trustee, Colonel Christopher Lee Argent, to oversee and manage the military operations of the Charity.” — page 17
“The Association has a related party relationship with the Ministry of Defence and the Single Armed Services under a Memorandum of Understanding and the majority of the Association’s Funding is provided by the Armed Services who directs the activities on which the Charity expends its Resources.” — page 7
“The Association has a related party relationship with the Council of Reserve Forces & Cadets who provide two of the ex officio Trustees, the Secretary General and Director of Resources, together with providing free of charge office facilities, accountancy and secretarial services.” — page 7
“The Association has a related party relationship with the Ministry of Defence and the Single Armed Services under a Memorandum of Understanding and the majority of the Association’s Funding is provided by the Armed Services who directs the activities on which the Charity expends its Resources.” — page 7
“The Association has a related party relationship with the Council of Reserve Forces & Cadets who provide two of the ex officio Trustees, the Secretary General and Director of Resources, together with providing free of charge office facilities, accountancy and secretarial services.” — page 7
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Colonel CHRISTOPHER LEE ARGENT QVRM TD DL FCA
- Major General Gregory Stephen Smith CB QVRM TD
- Major General James Henry Gordon CB CBE
- Surgeon Commander Andrew William Murrison MP
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £515k | £582k |
| 31/03/2024 | £543k | £544k |
| 31/03/2023 | £373k | £452k |
| 31/03/2022 | £169k | £96k |
| 31/03/2021 | £190k | £80k |
Common questions
Is UNITED KINGDOM RESERVE FORCES ASSOCIATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity operated at a net deficit of £66,260, reducing its unrestricted reserves from £106,385 to £40,125. The trustees consider this position acceptable and confirm the charity has adequate resources to continue as a going concern. The charity holds no investments other than surplus cash and relies primarily on grants from the Ministry of Defence. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| QUEEN MARY'S ROEHAMPTON TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| BOOTS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE JOHN SCOTT CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION | 1 | £2k |
| THE ULVERSCROFT FOUNDATION | 1 | £2k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL WANTAGE | 1 | £91 |
Charities like this
- UKAF RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
- BFBS
- THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION - CORPORATE BODY
- ROYAL ENGINEERS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TRUST
- ARMY RIFLE ASSOCIATION
- OFFICERS' MESS RAF BENSON
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED KINGDOM RESERVE FORCES ASSOCIATION | £515k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UKAF RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB | £186k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BFBS | £32.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION - CORPORATE BODY | £21.6m | — | 10 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL ENGINEERS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING TRUST | £730k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| ARMY RIFLE ASSOCIATION | £211k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |