ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY
Our object is to promote the advancement of microscopical science through the discussion and publication of research into improvements in the construction and mode of application of microscopes and into those branches of science where microscopy is important, and to organise educational activities concerned with microscopy for the benefit of the general public and for the science community.
Objects
TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF MICROSCOPICAL SCIENCE BY SUCH MEANS AS THE DISCUSSION AND PULBICATION OF RESEARCH INTO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF APPLICATION OF MICROSCOPES AND INTO THOSE BRACHES OF SCIENCE WHERE MICROSCOPY IS IMPORTANT.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted funds of £5,787,344, which exceeds the running costs set out in the reserves policy. The trustees report that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operation and has adopted the going concern basis. The charity also holds a strong cash position and a managed portfolio of listed investments valued at £3,982,455.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 during the year was 3 (2024: 3). The emoluments they received were within 1- £60,000-£70,000, 1- £70,000-£80,000 and 1- £80,000-£90,000” — page 40
“The number of employees whose total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 during the year was 3 (2024: 3).” — page 40
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Engaging external speakers at charity events policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Investment
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2025
- Volunteers: 94
- Employees paid over £60,000: 3 (£60,001–£70,000: 1; £80,001–£90,000: 1; £90,001–£100,000: 1)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2024
- Volunteers: 95
- Employees paid over £60,000: 3 (£70,001–£80,000: 1; £80,001–£90,000: 1; £90,001–£100,000: 1)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 31/12/2023
- Volunteers: 100
- Employees paid over £60,000: 2 (£70,001–£80,000: 1; £80,001–£90,000: 1)
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Sali Davis — Chief Executive
- Adam Clay — Finance & Operations Director
- Victoria Masters — Director of Culture, People & Events
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Professor Rik Drummond-Brydsonchair
- Bamidele Oladipupo Osidele
- Charles Whalley
- Dr Christa Gertrud Walther
- Dr Eric Prestat
- Dr Ian MacLaren
- Dr Judy Sooyean Kim
- Dr Julia Parker
- Dr Katherine Paine
- Dr Kerry Thompson
- Dr Liam Rooney
- Dr Morag Rose Hunter
- Dr Rachael Walker
- Dr Roland Fleck
- Dr Sean Collins
- Dr Sean Michael Collins
- Dr Verena Christine Kriechbaumer
- Dr Yanping Guo
- Margaret Claire Simmons
- PHOEBE CLARICE WHITLOCK
- PROFESSOR MICHELLE PECKHAM
- Professor Alice Leonora Bedford Pyne
- Professor Andy Brown
- Professor Jamie Hobbs
- Professor Maddy Parsons
- Professor PETER O'TOOLE PHD
- Rod Shipley
- Viji Mythily Draviam Sastry
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £2.0m | £2.0m |
| 31/12/2024 | £1.7m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.9m | £1.9m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.4m | £1.5m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.2m | £1.1m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted funds of £5,787,344, which exceeds the running costs set out in the reserves policy. The trustees report that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operation and has adopted the going concern basis. The charity also holds a strong cash position and a managed portfolio of listed investments valued at £3,982,455. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Cooper Parry Group Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,000-£90,000 band, and 3 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £601k |
| PROJECT GIVING BACK | 1 | £324k |
| THE JORON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £240k |
| THE HEALTH FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| Aruna and Ambika Paul Foundation | 1 | £100k |
| THE NUFFIELD FOUNDATION | 1 | £66k |
| THE ALAN AND SHEILA DIAMOND CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation | 1 | £45k |
Charities like this
- MICROBIOLOGY SOCIETY
- MEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH FUND
- MEDICAL SCREENING SOCIETY
- THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY
- THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE
- SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY | £2.0m | £80,000-£90,000 | 3 | above | — | no doubt |
| MICROBIOLOGY SOCIETY | £4.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| MEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCH FUND | £65k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MEDICAL SCREENING SOCIETY | £32k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL ECONOMIC SOCIETY | £2.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE | £13.7m | £160,001 - £170,000 | — | above | — | no doubt |