HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LIMITED
Harrogate International Festival is a creative cultural organisation working year round to bring the highest quality performing arts, literature, community and education to Harrogate and Yorkshire through strategic alliances with key public and commercial partners.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity recorded a small operational deficit of £9,864 for the year, primarily due to professional costs incurred during an ongoing HMRC VAT audit. Total consolidated net assets decreased to £728,403 from £745,107 in the previous year, with free unrestricted reserves standing at £185,726. The trustees confirm the organization remains a going concern with sufficient cash and reserves to meet liabilities as they fall due.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) between £70,000 and £80,000.” — page 25
“One employee received total employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) between £70,000 and £80,000.” — page 25
“36% of income was generated through ticket sales (2024: 34%), 20% through corporate sponsorships (2024: 24%) and 15% from grants and donations (2024: 22%).”
“The charity bases this on six months of overhead running costs which is in the range of £140,000 to £185,000 per annum.”
“Sharon Canavar is a director of Harrogate BID Limited. During the year Harrogate International Festivals received income of £8,000 (2024 - £33,750) from Harrogate BID Limited and made purchases of £nil (2024 - £437) from Harrogate BID Limited.” — page 28
“Sharon Canavar is a director of Hubert Swainson Funeral Services Limited. During the year Harrogate International Festivals received a donation of £4,000 (2024 - £4,000) from Hubert Swainson.” — page 28
“Sharon Canavar is a director of Harrogate BID Limited. During the year Harrogate International Festivals received income of £8,000 (2024 - £33,750) from Harrogate BID Limited and made purchases of £nil (2024 - £437) from Harrogate BID Limited.” — page 28
“Sharon Canavar is a director of Hubert Swainson Funeral Services Limited. During the year Harrogate International Festivals received a donation of £4,000 (2024 - £4,000) from Hubert Swainson.” — page 28
“The Company has a wholly owned subsidiary company, Harrogate Festival Development Ltd, which is engaged in fundraising activities.” — page 5
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £60,001 - £70,000 (FY2024) to £70,001 - £80,000 (FY2025).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/10/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (09/07/2025)
Trustees
- MRS FIONA ARMITAGEchair
- Craig Leslie Ratcliffe
- Deborah Larwood
- Iain Mark Jenkins
- Jenny Harris
- Julie Gray
- Lucy Mary Francis Hind
- Matthew Osbourne
- Susan Margaret Rumfitt
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/10/2025 | £1.2m | £1.2m |
| 31/10/2024 | £1.2m | £1.3m |
| 31/10/2023 | £1.1m | £1.1m |
| 31/10/2022 | £1.2m | £1.1m |
| 31/10/2021 | £688k | £589k |
Common questions
Is HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity recorded a small operational deficit of £9,864 for the year, primarily due to professional costs incurred during an ongoing HMRC VAT audit. Total consolidated net assets decreased to £728,403 from £745,107 in the previous year, with free unrestricted reserves standing at £185,726. The trustees confirm the organization remains a going concern with sufficient cash and reserves to meet liabilities as they fall due. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by TC Group.
What does the highest-paid employee of HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LIMITED earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £70,001 - £80,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LIMITED?
Funders whose own accounts filings name HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LIMITED as a grant recipient include THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £50k | |
| THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £50k | |
| THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £50k | |
| THE LIZ AND TERRY BRAMALL FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £5k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/04/2011 | £10k | Childrens Festival. 9-10 July 2011 |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 19/06/2008 | £10k | Sporting Words Festival Community Outreach Project |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/02/2006 | £5k | There is no project name available for this record |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| Laidlaw Opera Trust | 1 | £458k |
| THE JOHN BROWNE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £130k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £98k |
| THE LINBURY TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE JOHN BOOTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £25k |
| THE BAND TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| THE BORROWS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE LORD FARINGDON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £12k |
Charities like this
- HARROGATE (WHITE ROSE) THEATRE TRUST LTD
- THE HARROGATE ROUND TABLE CHARITABLE TRUST FUND
- HARROGATE LADIES' COLLEGE LIMITED
- HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION LTD
- THE GRANGE FESTIVAL
- HARROGATE TOWN AFC CIO
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL LIMITED | £1.2m | £70,001 - £80,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HARROGATE (WHITE ROSE) THEATRE TRUST LTD | £3.8m | £90,001 - £100,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE HARROGATE ROUND TABLE CHARITABLE TRUST FUND | £130k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HARROGATE LADIES' COLLEGE LIMITED | £8.3m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION LTD | £6.9m | £110,001 - £120,000 | 3 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE GRANGE FESTIVAL | £4.0m | £60,001 - £70,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |