THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY
To promote and foster the study of economic science, by means of publications, the annual conference and helping further the study of economics via the annual public lecture and the postgraduate conference.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £420k for the year ended 31 December 2024, driven by net investment gains of £441k which offset a deficit on charitable activities. The trustees confirm that general reserves of £5.3m are in line with the Society’s target of £5.3m, providing more than two years' expenditure coverage. The charity has no loans or finance liabilities other than trade creditors.
What the accounts disclose
“Total Income in 2024 was £1,480k (2023: £1,521k). This decrease was entirely due to the Society transitioning from a profit share to a royalty arrangement for its journals. Income for almost all other areas grew, including for membership and events (excluding the Annual Conference) (43%), the Annual Conference (57%) and Discover Economics (4%).” — page 12
“The general funds are in line with the Society’s general funds target of £5.3m.” — page 13
“The following trustees were employed by organisations who were either institutional or group members of the RES during 2024. The individuals were not involved in discussions between their employer and the RES on institutional/group membership and recused themselves from any Board decisions which may have presented a conflict. Tom Aldred and Donna Leong (trustees) are employed by the Government Economic Service who hold an institutional membership. Kate Collyer (treasurer) is employed by the Financial Conduct Authority who hold an institutional membership. Professor Swati Dhingra, Professor Mary Morgan and Professor Sir Chris Pissarides (trustees) are employed by the London School of Economics who hold a group membership. Professor Giovanni Razzu (trustee) is employed by the University of Reading who hold a group membership. Associate Professor Stefania Paredes-Fuentes (trustee) is employed by the University of Warwick who hold a group membership.” — page 28
In the news
- CEPR Affiliated Economists Recognised as Fellows of the Royal Economic Society
- CEPR Affiliated Economists Recognised as Fellows of the Royal Economic Society
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Emeritus Professor Sir Vito Antonio Muscatellichair
- Dame Katharine Mary Barker CBE
- Donna Leong OBE
- Dr Anna Valero
- Katherine Sara Collyer
- Kofi Adjepong-Boateng CBE
- Professor Anthony James Venables CBE FBA
- Professor Dame Diane Coyle DBE
- Professor David A Jaeger
- Professor Giovanni Razzu
- Professor Melanie Kim Jones
- Professor Parama Chaudhury
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £2.4m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2024 | £1.5m | £1.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.5m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.4m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.5m | £2.0m |
Common questions
Is THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £420k for the year ended 31 December 2024, driven by net investment gains of £441k which offset a deficit on charitable activities. The trustees confirm that general reserves of £5.3m are in line with the Society’s target of £5.3m, providing more than two years' expenditure coverage. The charity has no loans or finance liabilities other than trade creditors. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Sayer Vincent LLP.
Who funds THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY as a grant recipient include THE HEALTH FOUNDATION, THE NUFFIELD FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE HEALTH FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £150k | Providing evidence and analysis to improve health and care policy |
| THE NUFFIELD FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £66k | Access to justice in legal challenges to infrastructure projects |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE JULIA RAUSING TRUST | 1 | £1.4m |
| THE SINO-BRITISH FELLOWSHIP TRUST | 1 | £231k |
| THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS | 1 | £110k |
| THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION | 1 | £18k |
| DEVELOPMENTS IN LITERACY UK (UK) | 1 | £10k |
| Friends of the Nations' Libraries | 1 | £3k |
| THE NATIONAL MANUSCRIPTS CONSERVATION TRUST | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- ECONOMIC HISTORY SOCIETY
- ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY
- THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON FOR IMPROVING NATURAL KNOWLEDGE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ROYAL SOCIETY)
- THE ROYAL PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON
- OXFORD ECONOMIC PAPERS ASSOCIATION
- THE SOCIETY FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY | £2.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| ECONOMIC HISTORY SOCIETY | £397k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY | £2.3m | unclear | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON FOR IMPROVING NATURAL KNOWLEDGE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ROYAL SOCIETY) | £157.6m | — | 52 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL PHILATELIC SOCIETY, LONDON | £803k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| OXFORD ECONOMIC PAPERS ASSOCIATION | £217k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |