THE CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE
Latest income
£23.0m
Latest spending
£25.8m
Registered
1966
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity recorded a net deficit of £2.8m for the year, though this was an improvement on the previous year's £4.6m deficit. The trustees report that free general reserves of £4.5m are below the stated policy target of £5.3m, but consider the charity has sufficient resources to meet its day-to-day operational needs for the foreseeable future.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy
“After transfers, free general reserves at the year-end were in surplus by £4.5m (2024: surplus £5.0m) being the value of the General Fund. This is below the reserve target of £5.3m.” — page 34
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: CDBF pays contributions to the Archbishops' Council for national training and activities.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the CDBF 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 31
“The Church of England Pensions Board, to which the CDBF pays retirement benefit contributions for stipendiary clergy and employees.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: CDBF pays retirement benefit contributions to the Church of England Pensions Board.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the CDBF 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 31
“The Church of England Pensions Board, to which the CDBF pays retirement benefit contributions for stipendiary clergy and employees.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: The Guy Harlings Trust provides office facilities free of charge under licence to the CDBF.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the CDBF 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 31
“The Church of England Pensions Board, to which the CDBF pays retirement benefit contributions for stipendiary clergy and employees.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: MCO Investments is a wholly owned subsidiary of the CDBF.
“The Archbishops’ Council to which the CDBF 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 31
“The Church of England Pensions Board, to which the CDBF pays retirement benefit contributions for stipendiary clergy and employees.” — page 31
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: MCO Investments Ltd
“In 2024 the CDBF acquired a trading subsidiary, MCO Investments Ltd, Company Number 09614431, which owns a property from which the charity will run an Area Office.” — page 39
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Charity Commission inquiry
The Commission issued an Official Warning after finding that the charity's trustees failed to investigate a safeguarding complaint, lacked adequate oversight processes, and failed to report a serious incident for two years. The charity must implement robust safeguarding policies, reinforce training, and report progress to the Commission within two months.
“the trustees failed to consider or investigate the complaint and did not follow the Commission’s guidance on safeguarding and therefore failed in their safeguarding duties.”
“There were insufficient processes and procedures in place to ensure that the trustees have adequate oversight of safeguarding and protecting those who come into the charity”
Per the Commission’s published report. Summary is automated; the official report is authoritative.
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani — Bishop of Chelmsford
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Total income
£23.0m
Total spending
£25.8m
Cost of raising funds
£405k
Reserves (reported)
£4.5m
Employees
118
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (15/07/2018)
Trustees
- JEFFREY STEPHEN PETER MUSHENSchair
- Adrian Smith
- Andrew Simon Holt
- Antony George Patrick Timmins
- Canon ROBERT IAN HAMMOND
- Duraisamy Daniel Jebanesan
- Florence Conaty
- HAZEL THOMAS
- JULIA THOMAS
- John Charles Shakeshaft
- John Goodwin Blackford Tipping
- MARY CAROLINE DURLACHER
- Philip Carnelley
- Rev James Bernard Gilder
- Revd Canon Nicholas Edward Rowan
- Revd Dr Christian Okeke
- Right Reverend Adam Atkinson
- Rt Rev Roger Anthony Brett Morris
- Rt Revd Dr Gulnar Eleanor Francis-Dehqani
- Rt Revd Lynne Susan Cullens
- The Ven Dr Susan Joyce Lucas
- The Ven Jonathan Croucher
- The Venerable Christopher Mark Burke
- The Venerable Kate Peacock
- The Venerable Ruth Janet Patten
- The Very Revd Dr Jessica Martin
- Venerable Michael Power
- Vevet Deer
- Wilhelmina Joan Goulbourn
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £23.0m | £25.8m |
| 31/12/2024 | £22.3m | £26.9m |
| 31/12/2023 | £26.4m | £24.6m |
| 31/12/2022 | £23.8m | £24.1m |
| 31/12/2021 | £24.8m | £22.9m |
Common questions
Is THE CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity recorded a net deficit of £2.8m for the year, though this was an improvement on the previous year's £4.6m deficit. The trustees report that free general reserves of £4.5m are below the stated policy target of £5.3m, but consider the charity has sufficient resources to meet its day-to-day operational needs for the foreseeable future. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by HaysMac LLP.
Who funds THE CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE CHELMSFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE as a grant recipient include THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL, THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF GREAT BADDOW, MEADGATE.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 14/06/2007 | £109k | "Toppesfield Church Bells Restoration" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| SIR JOHN PRIESTMAN CHARITY TRUST | 1 | £36k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £32k |
| NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN SOCIETY | 1 | £22k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF WIGAN WEST | 1 | £4k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST MICHAEL, AUGHTON LIVERPOOL | 1 | £450 |
| THE MASON BIBBY 1981 TRUST | 1 | £400 |