THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS
To promote research and study across all branches of biology through the publication of journals: Development, Journal of Cell Science, Journal of Experimental Biology, Disease Models & Mechanisms and Biology Open. To provide free access to journal content in the developing world and to fund workshops, grants and travelling fellowships to support the scientific community.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £6,034,698 for the year, driven primarily by investment gains, while total unrestricted funds stood at £84.8 million. The trustees consider the current level of reserves sufficient to mitigate financial risks and maintain ongoing operations, although they acknowledge that income levels are plateauing and actions may be needed to prevent reserves from being depleted too rapidly. The charity remains in a healthy financial position with adequate resources to continue in operational existence.
What the accounts disclose
“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 18
“The Company provided support to the British Society for Developmental Biology (BSDB) for £107,500 (2024: £107,500); The British Society for Cell Biology (BSCB) for £107,500 (2024: £107,500); The Society of Experimental Biology (SEB) for £37,500 (2024: £37,500); University of Edinburgh for £11,950 (2024: £7,000); Cambridge University for £12,363 (2024: £21,324); University of Oxford for £4,000 (2024: £10,500); The Institute of Cancer Research for £0 (2024: £2,500); University of Manchester £1,500 (2024: £3,500); Babraham Institute £0 (2024: £3,800); Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology £3,000 (2024: £23); University of Liverpool £27,500 (2024: £0); University of Exeter £2,000 (2024: £0); EMBO £70,000 (2024: £70,000), Biochemical Society £0 (2024: £3,123); and Genticis Society of America £0 (2024:£3,940). Additionally, the Company made the following payments on a commercial basis to EMBO £1,152 (2024: £0); University of Cambridge £3,788 (2024: £0); SEB £2,689 (2024: £0); and the Society for Developmental Biology £3,143 (£0). Of the grant commitments made to related organisations during the year £252,500 (2024 – £325,500) was outstanding and included within creditors at the year end.” — page 42
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Steven Kelly — Director
- Clare Isacke — Director
- Jane Langdale — Director
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £8.4m | £9.8m |
| 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 |
Common questions
Is THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a surplus of £6,034,698 for the year, driven primarily by investment gains, while total unrestricted funds stood at £84.8 million. The trustees consider the current level of reserves sufficient to mitigate financial risks and maintain ongoing operations, although they acknowledge that income levels are plateauing and actions may be needed to prevent reserves from being depleted too rapidly. The charity remains in a healthy financial position with adequate resources to continue in operational existence. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Price Bailey LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY | 1 | £18k |
| THE HORNERS CHARITY FUND | 1 | £6k |
Charities like this
- THE ANNALS OF BOTANY COMPANY
- THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY
- THE SOCIETY FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
- BRITISH SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY
- THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY
- BRITISH SOCIETY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS | £8.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ANNALS OF BOTANY COMPANY | £578k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY | £4.8m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| THE SOCIETY FOR EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY | £2.9m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| BRITISH SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY | £126k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF BIOLOGY | £3.2m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |