DESIGN COUNCIL
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £218k for the year, with total unrestricted funds increasing to £847k. The trustees note that while the AHRC grant provides stability, there is uncertainty regarding future income levels, describing the period as a transition requiring prudent assumptions. Despite this, the trustees confirm the charity has adequate resources to continue operations.
What the accounts disclose
“the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets (the “free reserves”) should be between three and six months of overheads.”
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "within" (FY2024) to "above" (FY2025).
- Going concern: going-concern doubt noted (FY2024) → no going-concern doubt (FY2025).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Christopher William Ecclesharechair
- Christopher David Naylor
- JONQUIL ELIZABETH HACKENBERG
- PAUL RAYMOND MONAGHAN
- Patrick Bellew
- Prathaban Ramalingam
- Professor Elena Marco
- Sadaf Hosseini
- Tom Crawford
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £3.7m | £3.5m |
| 31/03/2024 | £3.6m | £3.9m |
| 31/03/2023 | £4.3m | £4.2m |
| 31/03/2022 | £4.5m | £4.8m |
| 31/03/2021 | £3.6m | £3.6m |
Common questions
Is DESIGN COUNCIL financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £218k for the year, with total unrestricted funds increasing to £847k. The trustees note that while the AHRC grant provides stability, there is uncertainty regarding future income levels, describing the period as a transition requiring prudent assumptions. Despite this, the trustees confirm the charity has adequate resources to continue operations. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sayer Vincent LLP.
Who funds DESIGN COUNCIL?
Funders whose own accounts filings name DESIGN COUNCIL as a grant recipient include GUY'S AND ST THOMAS' FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GUY'S AND ST THOMAS' FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £630k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| DEVELOPMENTS IN LITERACY UK (UK) | 2 | £20k |
| MISSION44 | 1 | £810k |
| A S HORNBY EDUCATIONAL TRUST CIO | 1 | £523k |
| THE MAURICE WOHL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £285k |
| NATIONAL ART COLLECTIONS FUND | 1 | £150k |
| THE BRITISH DIABETIC ASSOCIATION | 1 | £121k |
| ROSETREES | 1 | £94k |
| THE CHARLES WOLFSON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £67k |