THE PONTIFICAL BEDA COLLEGE, ROME TRUST FUND
The support of a College established to train students for the Roman Catholic priesthood, concentrating on late vocations - those who as mature students wish to become priests. This education helps to promote religious practice in both the United Kingdom and overseas, with the ordination and subsequent ministries of priest in various Dioceses of all whom complete their course at the College.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £314,320 for the year ended 31 August 2025, driven primarily by investment gains of £397,118 which offset an operational deficit of £82,798. The trustees confirm that free reserves increased to £7.43m, a level they consider sufficient to meet long-term needs and maintain the minimum target of £7.5m to £8.0m. The charity has no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern and holds sufficient resources to meet liabilities as they fall due.
What the accounts disclose
“Income from investments is the charity’s main source of income. This amounted to £149.2k (2024: £165.5k).” — page 5
“The aim of the trustees is to build up the funds of the charity to a minimum of £7.5m to £8.0m which they estimate would be the sum required to provide a sufficient capital base to secure the long-term future of the College.” — page 6
“The Rector of the College is ex officio a trustee of the Charity. In the year he received a salary of £15,000 (2024: £15,000) and a further contribution of £5,000 to his relocation expenses at the end of his term as Rector. These sums are paid from the Trust Fund on behalf of the College and are included in Grants to/sums paid on behalf of the College. The payments are made to him in his capacity as Rector, and not in his capacity as trustee. The payment of remuneration to the Rector is authorised under a Charity Commission scheme.” — page 4
“The Rector of the College is ex officio a trustee of the Charity. In the year he received a salary of £15,000 (2024: £15,000) and a further contribution of £5,000 to his relocation expenses at the end of his term as Rector. These sums are paid from the Trust Fund on behalf of the College and are included in Grants to/sums paid on behalf of the College. The payments are made to him in his capacity as Rector, and not in his capacity as trustee. The payment of remuneration to the Rector is authorised under a Charity Commission scheme.” — page 4
Trustees
- ANDREW THURSTAND COCKBURN BERNARD
- CANON PHILIP GILLESPIE
- MGR. CANON JOHN WEATHERILL
- Rev Canon KEVIN MCLOUGHLIN
- Stephen Peter Macklow-Smith
- The Most Reverend JOHN FRANCIS SHERRINGTON
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £159k | £242k |
| 31/08/2024 | £174k | £324k |
| 31/08/2023 | £185k | £259k |
| 31/08/2022 | £179k | £278k |
| 31/08/2021 | £153k | £320k |
Common questions
Is THE PONTIFICAL BEDA COLLEGE, ROME TRUST FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net surplus of £314,320 for the year ended 31 August 2025, driven primarily by investment gains of £397,118 which offset an operational deficit of £82,798. The trustees confirm that free reserves increased to £7.43m, a level they consider sufficient to meet long-term needs and maintain the minimum target of £7.5m to £8.0m. The charity has no material uncertainties regarding its ability to continue as a going concern and holds sufficient resources to meet liabilities as they fall due. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE STONYHURST FOUNDATION | 1 | £4.4m |
| THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE FUND | 1 | £31k |
| THE ALBERT GUBAY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £31k |
| THE JOHN SLATER FOUNDATION | 1 | £26k |
| THE ENNISMORE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| SIR HAROLD HOOD'S CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CIO
- THE VALLADOLID TRUST FUND
- ST MARY'S COLLEGE OSCOTT CIO
- CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION CIO
- RIPON COLLEGE CUDDESDON
- STONYHURST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE PONTIFICAL BEDA COLLEGE, ROME TRUST FUND | £159k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CIO | £292k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE VALLADOLID TRUST FUND | £307k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST MARY'S COLLEGE OSCOTT CIO | £2.3m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION CIO | £399k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| RIPON COLLEGE CUDDESDON | £2.5m | more than £60,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |