THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a significant surplus of £8,432,566 for the year ended 31 December 2024, primarily driven by investment gains of £9,834,040. The trustees confirm that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence, with total unrestricted funds of £78,802,446 and free reserves of £31,471,489, which are considered sufficient to mitigate identified financial risks.
What the accounts disclose
“No of employees earning £110,001 to £120,000” — page 35
“The Finance and Operational Performance Audit Committee and Board of Trustees have reviewed the level of the reserves and believe that approximately £25m is required to mitigate financial risks associated with operational and capital expenditure identified in the risk register whilst maintaining ongoing operations and charitable giving. Consequently, the current level of reserves is considered sufficient.” — page 16
“The Company provided support to the British Society for Developmental Biology for £107,500 (2023: £70,000); The British Society for Cell Biology for £107,500 (2023: £63,664); The Society of Experimental Biology (SEB) for £37,500 (2023: £17,096); University of Edinburgh for £7,000 (2023: £11,050); Cambridge University for £21,324 (2023: £9,292); University of Oxford for £10,500 (2023: £5,500); The Institute of Cancer Research for £2,500 (2023: £0); University of Manchester £3,500 (2023: £8,632); Babraham Institute £3,800 (2023: £2,000) University of Warwick £0 (2023: £4,000); Biochemical Society £3,123 (2023: £0); Genetics Society of America £3,940 (2023: £0); Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology £23 (2023: £0). Of the grant commitments made to related organisations during the year, £325,500 (2023 – £232,500) was outstanding and included within creditors at the year end. During the year the Company made stipend payments totalling £139 (2023 - £2,635) to S L Nilsson, the wife of G Nilsson, a Trustee of the charity. All payments occurred at arms length, on a commercial basis.” — page 36
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Steven Kelly — Director
- Clare Isacke — Director
- Jane Langdale — Director
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- PROF SARAH JANE BRAYchair
- Dr Mark Peifer
- Dr Pleasantine Mill
- Dr Sarah Elizabeth Lowell
- Dr Stephen Royle
- PROF DANIEL ST JOHNSTON
- Professor Austin Smith
- Professor Holly Shiels
- Professor Jane Alison Langdale
- Professor Stephen Tait
- Professor Steven Kelly
- Professor Sylvie Urbe
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £7.7m | £9.2m |
| 31/12/2023 | £7.8m | £8.9m |
| 31/12/2022 | £7.6m | £6.9m |
| 31/12/2021 | £7.6m | £5.8m |
| 31/12/2020 | £7.7m | £6.3m |
Common questions
Is THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity achieved a significant surplus of £8,432,566 for the year ended 31 December 2024, primarily driven by investment gains of £9,834,040. The trustees confirm that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence, with total unrestricted funds of £78,802,446 and free reserves of £31,471,489, which are considered sufficient to mitigate identified financial risks. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Price Bailey LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £110,001 - £120,000 band.