ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY
Relief of poverty of entertainers, and people associated with the entertainment profession,their surviving partners, spouses and dependants including:to pay pensions or to award grants and loans to alleviate hardship;to contribute partly or pay all funeral expenses;to operate and maintain a nursing and care home and to contribute partly or pay the fees associated with being a resident in the Home.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £381,919 for the year ended 31 December 2025, resulting in total unrestricted general reserves of £1,848,882. The trustees note that this reserve level is below their stated policy target of ideally £5 million, which they consider necessary to cover 12 months of costs and mitigate risks such as declines in voluntary income. The charity confirmed it is prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified by the auditors.
What the accounts disclose
“Residential and nursing care fees 2,360 48%” — page 9
“The present target range for free reserves is ideally £5 million, which would equate to 12 months costs and to enable us to cope with unforeseeable emergencies.”
“Our Chairman, Giles Cooper, donated (unpaid) services to the Charity over the year, which are estimated to be valued at £145,000 which includes free donated artwork and design services by staff on the payroll of his own companies (2024: £110,000).” — page 21
“An Executive Committee Member donated £13,500 to the Charity to support the initial costs relating to the planning for new administration block at Brinsworth House.” — page 21
“Our Chairman, Giles Cooper, donated (unpaid) services to the Charity over the year, which are estimated to be valued at £145,000 which includes free donated artwork and design services by staff on the payroll of his own companies (2024: £110,000).” — page 21
“An Executive Committee Member donated £13,500 to the Charity to support the initial costs relating to the planning for new administration block at Brinsworth House.” — page 21
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Care Quality Commission ratings
- Brinsworth House: Good
Trustees
- Giles Richard Cooperchair
- IAN ANTHONY FREEMAN
- PHILIP DALE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £4.9m | £4.6m |
| 31/12/2024 | £3.9m | £4.2m |
| 31/12/2023 | £3.0m | £3.3m |
| 31/12/2022 | £3.2m | £3.1m |
| 31/12/2021 | £2.9m | £2.9m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £381,919 for the year ended 31 December 2025, resulting in total unrestricted general reserves of £1,848,882. The trustees note that this reserve level is below their stated policy target of ideally £5 million, which they consider necessary to cover 12 months of costs and mitigate risks such as declines in voluntary income. The charity confirmed it is prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified by the auditors. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by HaysMac LLP.
Who funds ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY as a grant recipient include THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST, THE ALLEN TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST | FY2025 | £17k | |
| THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST | FY2022 | £1k | |
| THE ALLEN TRUST | FY2025 | £250 | |
| THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST | FY2024 | £0 | |
| THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST | FY2023 | — |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ACTING FOR OTHERS | 2 | £23k |
| ROYAL ENGINEERS CENTRAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1.2m |
| PETER DIXON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £129k |
| LEST WE FORGET ASSOCIATION | 1 | £39k |
| KISHINCHAND CHELLARAM FOUNDATION | 1 | £38k |
| THE TANAGRA FOUNDATION | 1 | £33k |
| THE FRANCIS WINHAM FOUNDATION | 1 | £30k |
| THE D G CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £25k |
Charities like this
- THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND
- THE FILM AND TELEVISION CHARITY
- THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND
- THE ACTORS' BENEVOLENT FUND
- POOLE & PARKSTONE PRODUCTIONS
- THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE BENEVOLENT FUND
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL VARIETY CHARITY | £4.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND | £679k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE FILM AND TELEVISION CHARITY | £2.7m | — | 4 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL LITERARY FUND | £4.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ACTORS' BENEVOLENT FUND | £1.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| POOLE & PARKSTONE PRODUCTIONS | £100k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |