ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND
The College is involved in a wide range of activities that influence and support the professional development of surgeons and the delivery of surgical services. These activities include monitoring the progress of trainees; running examinations for trainees; running courses for surgeons throughout their career; and awarding research fellowships.
Latest income
£43.7m
Latest spending
£43.8m
Registered
1963
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total reserves decreased marginally to £144m, with unrestricted funds standing at £96.0m. The charity reports a net income position of £1.0m for the year, driven by significant growth in charitable and legacy income, despite a sharp decline in investment returns. The trustees confirm the organization has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
Largest income source: Membership subscriptions (24% of income)
“Membership subscriptions remain the largest single revenue stream up 6% to £10.5m” — page 10
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grants awarded to institutions connected to Council members
“Grants totalling £307k were awarded to individuals at institutions with which members of Council are connected (2024: £515k). These members of Council did not participate in the decisions to award the respective grants.” — page 40
“The President of the College received the following benefits during the reporting period in order to carry out his trustee duties: • provision of rental accommodation amounting to £101k (2024: £61k); • settlement of tax arising on the above benefits amounting to £122k (2024: £59k).” — page 54
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: President received rental accommodation and tax settlement
“Grants totalling £307k were awarded to individuals at institutions with which members of Council are connected (2024: £515k). These members of Council did not participate in the decisions to award the respective grants.” — page 40
“The President of the College received the following benefits during the reporting period in order to carry out his trustee duties: • provision of rental accommodation amounting to £101k (2024: £61k); • settlement of tax arising on the above benefits amounting to £122k (2024: £59k).” — page 54
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee expenses reimbursed
“Grants totalling £307k were awarded to individuals at institutions with which members of Council are connected (2024: £515k). These members of Council did not participate in the decisions to award the respective grants.” — page 40
“The President of the College received the following benefits during the reporting period in order to carry out his trustee duties: • provision of rental accommodation amounting to £101k (2024: £61k); • settlement of tax arising on the above benefits amounting to £122k (2024: £59k).” — page 54
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Hunter Trading Limited
“Our financial statements consolidate the results and financial position of our wholly owned subsidiary, Hunter Trading Limited (note 15).” — page 12
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
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Public-sector contracts awarded
| Buyer | Contract | Awarded | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS England | Clinical Database CRANE | — | — |
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2025)
Total income
£43.7m
Total spending
£43.8m
Cost of raising funds
£966k
Reserves (reported)
£23.2m
Employees
291
Trustees
- Deborah Eastwood
- Frank Smith
- Ginny Bowbrick
- Joanna Kirby
- Martyn Cobourne
- Nuha Yassin
- Peter Sagar
- Professor Andrew Carr
- Simon Davis
- Tim Lane
- Vanessa Leung
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £43.7m | £43.8m |
| 30/06/2024 | £35.1m | £35.2m |
| 30/06/2023 | £33.5m | £36.1m |
| 30/06/2022 | £28.1m | £34.4m |
| 30/06/2021 | £26.9m | £29.6m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total reserves decreased marginally to £144m, with unrestricted funds standing at £96.0m. The charity reports a net income position of £1.0m for the year, driven by significant growth in charitable and legacy income, despite a sharp decline in investment returns. The trustees confirm the organization has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
Who funds ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND as a grant recipient include THE FREEMASONS' FUND FOR SURGICAL RESEARCH, THE MARY KINROSS CHARITABLE TRUST, THE LOLLIPOP FOUNDATION, ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH UK, GLOBAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE FREEMASONS' FUND FOR SURGICAL RESEARCH | FY2025 | £320k | |
| THE FREEMASONS' FUND FOR SURGICAL RESEARCH | FY2024 | £280k | |
| THE FREEMASONS' FUND FOR SURGICAL RESEARCH | FY2022 | £260k | |
| THE FREEMASONS' FUND FOR SURGICAL RESEARCH | FY2023 | £260k | |
| THE FREEMASONS' FUND FOR SURGICAL RESEARCH | FY2021 | £260k | |
| THE MARY KINROSS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £75k | Medical Research |
| THE LOLLIPOP FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £75k | |
| ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH UK | FY2025 | £72k | Innovation: MSK Walled Garden |
| GLOBAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS | FY2021 | £54k | |
| THE VASCULAR SOCIETY | FY2024 | £23k | RCS Surgical Specialty Leads in Vascular Surgery |
| Friends of the Nations' Libraries | FY2025 | £11k | Acquisition of Elizabeth Blackwell’s A Curious Herbal |
| THE ADINT CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £10k | |
| THE ADINT CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £10k | |
| WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF NEEDLEMAKERS CHARITABLE FUND | FY2025 | £7k | Focus Grants |
| WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF NEEDLEMAKERS CHARITABLE FUND | FY2023 | £7k | Focus Grants |
| THE WYNDHAM CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £4k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 09/02/2007 | £49k | "Exhibiting Difference" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 24/10/2000 | £565k | "Hunterian Museum Project" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| GAMBLEAWARE | 1 | £351k |
| Fight for Sight | 1 | £238k |
| THE ROSE ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST CIO | 1 | £30k |
| SYLVANUS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £29k |
| THE JEAN SAINSBURY ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| THE MARY HOMFRAY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £6k |
| THE SALISBURY POOL CHARITY COMPRISING THE FIRST MOIETY ESTABLISHED BY CLAUSE 2 OF THE DEED OF DECLARATION DATED 23RD MARCH 1976 | 1 | £6k |
| MARJORIE COOTE ANIMAL CHARITY TRUST | 1 | £6k |
Charities like this
- THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTORS
- THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
- THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
- THE COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS
- THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE ANIMAL CARE TRUST
- THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF LONDON
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND | £43.7m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTORS | £558k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS | £53.7m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS | £7.9m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS | £2.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE ANIMAL CARE TRUST | £1.3m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |