THE KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
The company operates a heritage railway in pursuit of its charitable objectives.
Latest income
£2.7m
Latest spending
£2.6m
Registered
1971
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity recorded a net consolidated deficit of £124,680 for the year ended 31 October 2024, compared to a deficit of £42,590 in the previous year. Despite the deficit, the group held unrestricted reserves of £1,385,714 and net cash of £262,103 at year-end, with the trustees confirming the going concern basis of preparation.
What the accounts disclose
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 2024 No. 1” — page 30
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustees maintain locomotives owned by organizations where they are members/shareholders.
“The trustees of the late G A Crouch, I C Legg, S A Marsh, P D Shaw, P Vidler, D Bilsby and N D Sime are members or shareholders of organisations which own certain items of locomotive, rolling stock and other equipment, which are made available to the Charity, and in consideration, are maintained by the Charity.” — page 42
“The charity paid the Herdman Association, £120 for the hire of space for a board meeting. D J Nibloe has significant influence over this entity.” — page 42
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Charity paid Herdman Association £120 for board meeting space; D J Nibloe has significant influence.
“The trustees of the late G A Crouch, I C Legg, S A Marsh, P D Shaw, P Vidler, D Bilsby and N D Sime are members or shareholders of organisations which own certain items of locomotive, rolling stock and other equipment, which are made available to the Charity, and in consideration, are maintained by the Charity.” — page 42
“The charity paid the Herdman Association, £120 for the hire of space for a board meeting. D J Nibloe has significant influence over this entity.” — page 42
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustees made donations totalling £184.
“The trustees of the late G A Crouch, I C Legg, S A Marsh, P D Shaw, P Vidler, D Bilsby and N D Sime are members or shareholders of organisations which own certain items of locomotive, rolling stock and other equipment, which are made available to the Charity, and in consideration, are maintained by the Charity.” — page 42
“The charity paid the Herdman Association, £120 for the hire of space for a board meeting. D J Nibloe has significant influence over this entity.” — page 42
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2023) → 1 (FY2024).
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/10/2025)
Total income
£4.5m
Total spending
£2.6m
Cost of raising funds
£415k
Reserves (reported)
£1.5m
Employees
25
Trustees
- Derrick Bilsby
- IAN CAMPBELL LEGG
- Julie Wilkinson
- Matthew John Hyner
- Neil Duncan Sime
- Paul Edward Vidler
- Robin Moira White
- SIMON ANDREW MARSH
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/10/2025 | £2.7m | £2.6m |
| 31/10/2024 | £2.6m | £2.7m |
| 31/10/2023 | £2.5m | £2.6m |
| 31/10/2022 | £2.0m | £2.4m |
| 31/10/2021 | £1.6m | £1.5m |
Common questions
Is THE KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity recorded a net consolidated deficit of £124,680 for the year ended 31 October 2024, compared to a deficit of £42,590 in the previous year. Despite the deficit, the group held unrestricted reserves of £1,385,714 and net cash of £262,103 at year-end, with the trustees confirming the going concern basis of preparation. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Kreston Reeves LLP.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 08/03/2021 | £251k | CRF21: The Kent & East Sussex Railway Co Ltd |
| UK government | 14/10/2020 | £302k | CRF20: Kent & East Sussex Railway Co Ltd |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 24/03/2005 | £13k | VE Day Celebration |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ROGER & DOUGLAS TURNER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £68k |
| WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE HILARY AWDRY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £11k |
| THE GEORGE CADBURY TRUST (GEORGE HENRY T AND LAURENCE J CADBURY SECTIONS) | 1 | £9k |
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 1 | £8k |
| THE GRIMMITT TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE EDWARD AND DOROTHY CADBURY TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE SAINTBURY TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust Limited
- BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST
- THE PONTYPOOL AND BLAENAVON RAILWAY COMPANY (1983) LIMITED
- SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED
- CANTIACORUM FOUNDATION
- WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST LTD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED | £2.7m | — | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Watercress Line Heritage Railway Trust Limited | £3.7m | £80,001 - £90,000 | — | below | — | no doubt |
| BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST | £105k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| THE PONTYPOOL AND BLAENAVON RAILWAY COMPANY (1983) LIMITED | £234k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED | £1.6m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CANTIACORUM FOUNDATION | £155k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |