BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED
The Society is established to promote and assist the study, practice, knowledge and appreciation of music, and generally advance the cause of music. It aims to bring pleasure to the local community through providing high quality, varied classical music programmes, professionally performed, at realistic prices to the audience, within the Society's available resources.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £185,483 for the year, which was funded from accumulated reserves. The trustees note that the underlying operating deficit before legacies was £325,399, but significant legacy income allowed the charity to maintain its concert programme. The trustees identify medium and longer-term financial sustainability as the major risk, noting that the charity has not focused sufficiently on fundraising and intends to address this in the coming year.
What the accounts disclose
“The trustees consider that reserves should be maintained at a minimum level of £250,000, based on six months' operating costs in an average operating year.” — page 12
“During the year, one trustee was paid £1,911 fees as a musician for work outside of their role as a trustee (2024: none).” — page 27
“One of our trustees is a musician and performs with the Orchestra. They receive the same remuneration as an equivalent player in the Orchestra. Complimentary concert tickets are provided to trustees who wish to bring guests as part of the promotion of the Orchestra. The trustees receive no other benefits from their work with the Society.” — page 15
“Brighton Orchestra Productions Limited was established in August 2022 as a subsidiary company of the Society for purposes of reclaiming Orchestral Tax Relief (OTR).” — page 12
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (11/08/2026)
Trustees
- Andrea Theresa Cifellichair
- Caroline Susan Harrison
- Jessica Helen Blackstone
- John Gill
- Jonathan Andrew Brigden
- Laurie Beth Cearley
- Norman George Jacobs
- Robert Edmund Cook
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £505k | £689k |
| 31/03/2024 | £549k | £560k |
| 31/03/2023 | £509k | £361k |
| 31/03/2022 | £652k | £327k |
| 31/03/2021 | £351k | £127k |
Common questions
Is BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £185,483 for the year, which was funded from accumulated reserves. The trustees note that the underlying operating deficit before legacies was £325,399, but significant legacy income allowed the charity to maintain its concert programme. The trustees identify medium and longer-term financial sustainability as the major risk, noting that the charity has not focused sufficiently on fundraising and intends to address this in the coming year. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 3 | £12k |
| THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £800k |
| THE SAINTBURY TRUST | 2 | £77k |
| COLWINSTON CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £38k |
| THE HAROLD HYAM WINGATE FOUNDATION | 2 | £17k |
| THE IDLEWILD TRUST | 2 | £9k |
| THE MARCHUS TRUST | 2 | £8k |
| THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.1m |
Charities like this
- ROYAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
- OXFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TRUST
- B:MUSIC LTD
- WIMBLEDON CHORAL SOCIETY
- PHILHARMONIA LTD
- LONGBOROUGH FESTIVAL OPERA
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED | £505k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | £539k | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| OXFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TRUST | £3.1m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | within | — | no doubt |
| B:MUSIC LTD | £13.6m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WIMBLEDON CHORAL SOCIETY | £116k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| PHILHARMONIA LTD | £11.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |