THE ROCHESTER DIOCESAN SOCIETY AND BOARD OF FINANCE
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that total net assets rose to £82.2 million, with free reserves in the Common Fund standing at £1.2 million. The trustees note that while aggregate reserves have risen, the Common Fund has not recorded an annual surplus for over 10 years, indicating that the current financial position is not generationally sustainable without strategic intervention.
What the accounts disclose
“Common Fund reserves at the year-end stood at £1.2m (2023: £1.7m. In considering the level of Common Funds of £1.2millon against the policy amount the Trustees noted that the Common Fund can if necessary draw on the proceeds from property disposals from the Designated fund in the forthcoming year, Unapplied Total Return and for certain expenditures the Diocesan Pastoral Account.”
“The Diocese of Rochester came in the top three of all dioceses for compliance meaning 94 per cent of churches compliant.”
“The motion followed the publication of the Makin Review into the abuse of John Smyth – a report which led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Following the passing of the motion, the Archbishops’ Council is seeking to engage in further dialogue with Diocesan Synod to better understand the concerns that have been raised.”
“The Diocese of Rochester came in the top three of all dioceses for compliance meaning 94 per cent of churches compliant.”
“The motion followed the publication of the Makin Review into the abuse of John Smyth – a report which led to the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. Following the passing of the motion, the Archbishops’ Council is seeking to engage in further dialogue with Diocesan Synod to better understand the concerns that have been raised.”
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 00140656
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Jonathan Gibbs — Bishop of Rochester
- Tia Ndu — Head of Programmes
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- David Roy Fitzpatrick
- Diane Joan McKenzie-Boyle
- PETER ANTHONY HARLOW
- Rev Alison Mary Kerr
- Rev Andrew David McClellan
- Rev Dane Christopher Batley-Gladden
- Rev Gordon Edward James Taylor
- Rev JEREMY BLUNDEN
- Rev Nicholas Simon Cornell
- Sarah Poole
- Stephen Smith
- The Right Reverend SIMON DAVID BURTON-JONES
- The Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Robert Gibbs
- The Ven Sandra Sheron McCalla
- The Very Rev. Dr. Philip John Hesketh
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £12.7m | £14.4m |
| 31/12/2023 | £11.6m | £14.1m |
| 31/12/2022 | £11.5m | £13.7m |
| 31/12/2021 | £11.9m | £13.4m |
| 31/12/2020 | £11.8m | £12.9m |
Common questions
Is THE ROCHESTER DIOCESAN SOCIETY AND BOARD OF FINANCE financially healthy?
The accounts state that total net assets rose to £82.2 million, with free reserves in the Common Fund standing at £1.2 million. The trustees note that while aggregate reserves have risen, the Common Fund has not recorded an annual surplus for over 10 years, indicating that the current financial position is not generationally sustainable without strategic intervention. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by HaysMac LLP.
Who funds THE ROCHESTER DIOCESAN SOCIETY AND BOARD OF FINANCE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE ROCHESTER DIOCESAN SOCIETY AND BOARD OF FINANCE as a grant recipient include THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST JOHN, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS, SEVENOAKS, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH AND ST PAULS ANERLEY, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS WITH ST MARY, STROOD.
Shared trustees with funders
- Diane Joan McKenzie-Boyle — trustee here and at THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS, SEVENOAKS
- PETER ANTHONY HARLOW — trustee here and at THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS, SEVENOAKS
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 06/09/2022 | £2.6m | "St John's Chatham - Heritage at Risk - Saved and Transformed into a Gateway Community Hub" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 12/03/2015 | £151k | "St Mary's Church - Urgent spire restoration and tower repairs" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 19/09/2014 | £117k | "Tower repairs for St Mary's Church, Hadlow" |