WORLD HORSE WELFARE
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £1.7m for the year ended 31 December 2024, driven by a significant drop in legacy income and rising operational costs. Despite this deficit, the trustees consider the financial position strong, with free reserves of £13.5m remaining above the target range of £10.7m-£12.9m. The charity confirms there are no going concern issues and holds sufficient cash and reserves to fund its plans over the longer term.
What the accounts disclose
“one employee had earnings in the range £160,001-£170,000” — page 38
“one employee had earnings in the range £160,001-£170,000, one in the range £110,001 -£120,000, four in the range £80,001-£90,000 and one in the range £60,001-£70,000” — page 38
“During 2024 expenses totaling £4k (2023: £1k) were incurred by World Horse Welfare on behalf of World Horse Welfare Belgium VZW, a charge of £37k (2023: £0) was made to World Horse Welfare Belgium VZW by World Horse Welfare for use of resources, and World Horse Welfare awarded grant funding of £49k (2023: £nil) to World Horse Welfare Belgium VZW, for which a creditor exists at the year end.” — page 40
What the charity says about itself (2024)
“Currently there are an estimated 7 million or more horses, donkeys and mules (equids) in Europe”
“The sector is worth more than €100 billion per annum to the EU, uses at least 2.6 million hectares of land and provides employment to at least 900,000 people.”
“In 2023 there were a total of 460,970 officially recorded movements of equids into and between EU member states alone.”
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (19/11/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (19/11/2024)
- Received assets from another charity (14/05/2021)
- Received assets from another charity (22/07/2020)
Trustees
- Alice Elspeth Middleton Talbot Rice
- Dr Christopher Wynne Tufnell MRCVS
- Dr Meredith Smith
- Dr Polly Clare Compston
- Edward Hugh Thomas
- Elizabeth Katherine Saville Roberts
- Jane Allen
- Lars Breisner
- Mark Davies CVO DL
- Melissa Gray-Cheape
- Rebecca Sheena Claire Emerson-Keeler
- SAIMA HABIB
- SAM BULLARD
- Samantha Tolhurst
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £9.9m | £12.2m |
| 31/12/2023 | £16.5m | £10.7m |
| 31/12/2022 | £8.3m | £9.5m |
| 31/12/2021 | £8.5m | £8.0m |
| 31/12/2020 | £7.4m | £8.0m |
Common questions
Is WORLD HORSE WELFARE financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit of £1.7m for the year ended 31 December 2024, driven by a significant drop in legacy income and rising operational costs. Despite this deficit, the trustees consider the financial position strong, with free reserves of £13.5m remaining above the target range of £10.7m-£12.9m. The charity confirms there are no going concern issues and holds sufficient cash and reserves to fund its plans over the longer term. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by RSM UK Audit LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of WORLD HORSE WELFARE earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £160,001 - £170,000 band, and 7 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds WORLD HORSE WELFARE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WORLD HORSE WELFARE as a grant recipient include THE RACING FOUNDATION, SIR PETER O'SULLEVAN CHARITABLE TRUST, WILLIAM GEOFFREY HARVEY'S DISCRETIONARY SETTLEMENT NO 2, THE VERA WOLSTENCROFT CHILDREN AND ANIMAL CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ROTHERMERE FOUNDATION.
Known funders
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ANNANDALE CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £26k |
| DUMBRECK CHARITY | 2 | £4k |
| THE SERTH AND GATES CHARITY | 1 | £142k |
| THE HDH WILLS 1965 CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £132k |
| E B M CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £115k |
| THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND | 1 | £40k |
| THE ALBORADA TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| Army Benevolent Fund | 1 | £23k |