THE STUDENTS' UNION AT BU LTD
The Students' Union at BU is the representative body of Bournemouth University students and provides representation, advice and activities to its members.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity relies on Bournemouth University block grants and commercial services, noting that sales remain below pre-pandemic levels. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £536,993, though the consolidated position shows a deficit of -£133,046 due to a pension scheme liability. The trustees confirm a continuing reliance on university support and commercial income to maintain operations.
What the accounts disclose
“SUBU has identified that the reserves required to meet the working capital requirements of the charity are three months of expenditure (salaries and operating budgets, plus redundancy costs as well as other committed liabilities).” — page 9
“During the year, Sabbatical Trustees have been paid remuneration from an employment with the Charity. The Trustees' remuneration and other benefits received was a total of £107,433” — page 36
“The Union is in receipt of a block grant from Bournemouth University of £1,187,500 (2024: £1,250,000 which is on an unrestricted basis.” — page 46
“In addition, the Union and the subsidiary occupies the University’s buildings and The Old Firestation on a rent free basis under a formal lease which is dated 04 December 2017 and ends 24 March 2027.” — page 46
“The Union is in receipt of a block grant from Bournemouth University of £1,187,500 (2024: £1,250,000 which is on an unrestricted basis.” — page 46
“In addition, the Union and the subsidiary occupies the University’s buildings and The Old Firestation on a rent free basis under a formal lease which is dated 04 December 2017 and ends 24 March 2027.” — page 46
“Included within reserves is our element of the SUSS multi-employer pension scheme deficit, as set out in Note 25, and the result of this is to decrease our overall reserves by the deficit in this fund of £670,039”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Andy Squire — Chief Executive Officer
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (16/03/2023)
Trustees
- Alex Caton-Bradley
- Aylwin Yafele
- Faten Alahmadi
- Jack Everton
- Nicole Thompson
- Rob Hayes
- Simonne Gautron
- Steven Hutchings
- Tom Day
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £4.2m | £4.3m |
| 31/07/2024 | £4.4m | £4.5m |
| 31/07/2023 | £4.3m | £4.3m |
| 31/07/2022 | £4.6m | £4.0m |
| 31/07/2021 | £2.5m | £2.4m |
Common questions
Is THE STUDENTS' UNION AT BU LTD financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity relies on Bournemouth University block grants and commercial services, noting that sales remain below pre-pandemic levels. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £536,993, though the consolidated position shows a deficit of -£133,046 due to a pension scheme liability. The trustees confirm a continuing reliance on university support and commercial income to maintain operations. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Griffin Chartered Accountants.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| BRITISH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SPORT LIMITED | 3 | £18k |
| QUINTIN HOGG TRUST | 1 | £540k |
Charities like this
- UNION OF BRUNEL STUDENTS
- BATH SPA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION
- BUCKS STUDENTS' UNION
- GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON STUDENTS' UNION
- UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL STUDENTS' UNION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE STUDENTS' UNION AT BU LTD | £4.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| UNION OF BRUNEL STUDENTS | £3.1m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| BATH SPA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' UNION | £1.8m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BUCKS STUDENTS' UNION | £2.8m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| GREENWICH STUDENTS UNION LTD | £4.4m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 2 | below | — | no doubt |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON STUDENTS' UNION | £7.6m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |