Hertford British Charitable Fund
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds substantial unrestricted reserves of £44,455,538, although the majority of these assets are tied up in property held by a holding trustee or pledged as security for significant loans. The charity reports a net movement in funds of £4,701,000 for the year, driven largely by unrealized valuation gains on its investment properties and financial assets, while relying on rental income and investment returns to cover operating costs and charitable grants. The trustees and auditors confirm the use of the going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified, despite the charity's heavy reliance on its property portfolio and investment funds to service debt and fund future redevelopment.
What the accounts disclose
“Reserves policy: approved by the Trustees on 16th June 2021 (and modified on 18th June 2025 to reduce the minimum cash holding from €1 million to €500,000).” — page 7
“the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs who is, by virtue of that office, Minister of Public Building and Works, acts as holding trustee for the Charity’s properties.”
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Ian McDonald — Trustee
- Sandra Esquiva-Hesse — Trustee
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (11/03/2026)
Trustees
- Paul Johnson-Fergusonchair
- Frederick Bryan Simon HARTY
- IAN MCDONALD
- JULIA BACHE
- JULIA HOWES
- Janet Stewart Goatly
- Matthew Kay
- SANDRA ESQUIVA-HESSE
- STEPHEN COWEN
- Sir John Eaton Holmes
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £2.9m | £2.3m |
| 31/12/2024 | £1.9m | £1.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.0m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2022 | £2.6m | £992k |
| 31/12/2021 | £2.3m | £1.8m |
Common questions
Is Hertford British Charitable Fund financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity holds substantial unrestricted reserves of £44,455,538, although the majority of these assets are tied up in property held by a holding trustee or pledged as security for significant loans. The charity reports a net movement in funds of £4,701,000 for the year, driven largely by unrealized valuation gains on its investment properties and financial assets, while relying on rental income and investment returns to cover operating costs and charitable grants. The trustees and auditors confirm the use of the going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified, despite the charity's heavy reliance on its property portfolio and investment funds to service debt and fund future redevelopment. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Grant Thornton NI LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE 3 TS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
| THE BATCHWORTH TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE REISNER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION LTD | 1 | £5k |
| FARRER AND CO CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £4k |
| Evergreen Care UK | 1 | £500 |