SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE
Latest income
£12.1m
Latest spending
£12.8m
Registered
1965
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the Diocese ran an operational deficit of £1.0m in 2024, which was substantially lower than the budgeted £2.1m, primarily due to slower-than-expected clergy recruitment. Despite this deficit, unrestricted general funds decreased from £6.7m to £5.5m, with free reserves standing at £3.8m at year-end, supported by investment gains and the retention of fixed assets.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: sufficient level to ensure financial resilience and sustainability... for at least the next financial year (held: £3.8m)
“Our priority is to maintain Free Reserves at a sufficient level to ensure financial resilience and sustainability, including mitigating against key risks identified in our risk register for at least the next financial year.” — page 15
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The SDBF pays a donation to the Archbishops' Council based on an apportionment system for funding national training and activities.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the Diocese pays a donation based on an apportionment system for funding national training of ordinands and the activities of the various national boards and councils, as well as General Synod.” — page 11
“The Archbishop's Council and National Church Institutions from which the SDBF receives grants and which acts on behalf of clergy with HM Revenue and Customs. The SDBF also pays for clergy stipends through the Archbishop's Council.” — page 11
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The SDBF receives grants from the Archbishops' Council and pays clergy stipends through them.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the Diocese pays a donation based on an apportionment system for funding national training of ordinands and the activities of the various national boards and councils, as well as General Synod.” — page 11
“The Archbishop's Council and National Church Institutions from which the SDBF receives grants and which acts on behalf of clergy with HM Revenue and Customs. The SDBF also pays for clergy stipends through the Archbishop's Council.” — page 11
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The SDBF pays retirement benefit contributions to the Church of England Pensions Board.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the Diocese pays a donation based on an apportionment system for funding national training of ordinands and the activities of the various national boards and councils, as well as General Synod.” — page 11
“The Archbishop's Council and National Church Institutions from which the SDBF receives grants and which acts on behalf of clergy with HM Revenue and Customs. The SDBF also pays for clergy stipends through the Archbishop's Council.” — page 11
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox — Bishop of Sheffield
- Rt Revd Leah Vasey-Saunders — Bishop of Doncaster
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Total income
£12.1m
Total spending
£12.8m
Cost of raising funds
£57k
Reserves (reported)
£3.6m
Employees
98
Trustees
- Anna Rose De Castro
- Canon IAN GEOFFREY WALKER
- Dr JACQUELINE ANNE BUTCHER
- Isobel Julia Newton
- Michael Macdonald
- Neill Andrew Birchenall
- PETER RAINFORD
- RT REVD DR PETER JONATHAN WILCOX
- Rev Benjamin Michael Tanner
- Rev Canon CLAIRE LOUISE DAWSON
- Rev Canon Edwin Harry Steele
- Rev Canon Matthew Ivan Rhodes
- Rev Edward John Scott Morrison
- Rev Javaid Iqbal
- Rev Leah Beverley Vasey-Saunders
- The Very Revd Abigail Laura Thompson
- Venerable David Ian Gerrard
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £12.1m | £12.8m |
| 31/12/2024 | £10.1m | £11.7m |
| 31/12/2023 | £10.1m | £11.7m |
| 31/12/2022 | £9.9m | £11.0m |
| 31/12/2021 | £10.3m | £10.0m |
Common questions
Is SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE financially healthy?
The accounts state that the Diocese ran an operational deficit of £1.0m in 2024, which was substantially lower than the budgeted £2.1m, primarily due to slower-than-expected clergy recruitment. Despite this deficit, unrestricted general funds decreased from £6.7m to £5.5m, with free reserves standing at £3.8m at year-end, supported by investment gains and the retention of fixed assets. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Saffery LLP.
Who funds SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE as a grant recipient include THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL, CHRIST CHURCH ENDCLIFFE CIO.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL | FY2025 | £15.5m |
| CHRIST CHURCH ENDCLIFFE CIO | FY2024 | £2k |
| CHRIST CHURCH ENDCLIFFE CIO | FY2023 | £2k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/02/2001 | £85k | "All Hallows' Church Schoolroom - Harthill" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 10/06/1997 | £52k | "Holy Trinity Church, Sheffield" |