LEEDS CULTURE TRUST
Leeds Culture Trust is the independent charity that will deliver a five-year cultural programme culminating in a year of celebration in 2023 for the city of Leeds and the surrounding area.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £1,217,410 for the period, resulting in unrestricted funds dropping to £789,301 from a negative balance in the prior year. Per the trustees' report, the charity is utilising accumulated reserves to deliver its intended activity and anticipates ceasing operations and undergoing a Member’s Voluntary Liquidation in 2025.
What the accounts disclose
“In the band £70,001 - £80,000 1”
“Over 50% of the funding in the year was received from Leeds City Council” — page 8
“As a result the financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern.” — page 11
“During the 2023/24 year the LEEDS 2023 received funding under the multi-year grant agreement, a loan from Leeds City Council against the expected future Creative Sector Tax Relief receipts and front-funding for costs associated with the sculpture “Hibiscus Rising”. In January 2024 the sculpture was subsequently gifted from LEEDS 2023 to Leeds City Council.” — page 7
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2023) to £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2024).
What the charity says about itself (2025/26)
“Achieving a mean gender pay gap of just 0.9% demonstrates strong pay equity across the firm and reflects the success of our continued investment in career development and progression opportunities.”
“Our continued recognition, including our Gold Investors in People accreditation and our position in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, reflects our commitment to providing a fair, supportive and inclusive culture.”
“Launched the Horizon Leadership Programme to develop future leaders”
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2024)
Trustees
- BARBARA WORONCOW MA FMA OBE
- Christopher John Brown
- Cllr Daniel Andrew Cohen
- Cllr Jonathan David Pryor
- Prof Francis James Finlay
- Sharon Louise Gladish
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | — | — |
| 31/03/2024 | £10.3m | £9.9m |
| 31/03/2023 | £8.0m | £9.0m |
| 31/03/2022 | £3.2m | £2.5m |
| 31/03/2021 | £2.1m | £1.1m |
Common questions
Is LEEDS CULTURE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £1,217,410 for the period, resulting in unrestricted funds dropping to £789,301 from a negative balance in the prior year. Per the trustees' report, the charity is utilising accumulated reserves to deliver its intended activity and anticipates ceasing operations and undergoing a Member’s Voluntary Liquidation in 2025. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Sagars Accountants Ltd.
What does the highest-paid employee of LEEDS CULTURE TRUST earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,001 - £80,000 band.
Who funds LEEDS CULTURE TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name LEEDS CULTURE TRUST as a grant recipient include The Squire Patton Boggs Charitable Trust.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Squire Patton Boggs Charitable Trust | FY2022 | £10k | Education/Training |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 12/10/2023 | £38k | ALB-Historic England-Edible Archive: Corn Exchange |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 16/12/2022 | £250k | LEEDS 2023: Children’s Day |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 16/09/2021 | £2.7m | "Leeds 2023" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION | 2 | £258k |
| GIVE A GIFT | 1 | £286k |
| KEN DODD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £125k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £100k |
| The Keith Howard Foundation | 1 | £55k |
| THE PILLING TRUST FUND | 1 | £38k |
| THE THEATRES TRUST CHARITABLE FUND | 1 | £20k |
| MOSAIC CHURCH LIMITED | 1 | £19k |
Charities like this
- LEEDS CIVIC TRUST
- LEEDS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TRUST
- LEEDS THEATRE TRUST LIMITED
- Leeds Heritage Theatres
- TRUST LEEDS
- Cultura Trust
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEEDS CULTURE TRUST | £10.3m | £70,001 - £80,000 | — | unclear | — | not going concern |
| LEEDS CIVIC TRUST | £407k | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| LEEDS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY TRUST | £675k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| LEEDS THEATRE TRUST LIMITED | £9.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Leeds Heritage Theatres | £14.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| TRUST LEEDS | £119k | Under £60,000 | 0 | within | — | no doubt |