THE SIR MAX AITKEN MUSEUM
The charity maintains and manages its funds in order to to ensure that the collection in the Museum is maintained in immaculate condition and is accessible to all. The charity seeks to maintain the properties in their ownership in the best possible order.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity incurred a net deficit of £12,293 for the year ended 30 September 2025, compared to a surplus in the prior year. Free reserves stood at £987,872 at year-end, which the trustees describe as providing a financial underpin to meet normal annual expenditure. Investment assets increased in value to £966,845, contributing to the overall asset base.
What the accounts disclose
“The level of free reserves at the end of the financial year is £987,872 (2024 - £938,725). Free reserves are defined as unrestricted funds, less any designated funds, and those assets tied up in property and equipment. The reserves provide a financial underpin to ensure that the income from the investments, together with the rents and museum hire, is sufficient to meet the normal annual expenditure, whilst providing funds to maintain the assets of the Trust.” — page 5
Trustees
- CHRISTOPHER GUTHRIE LITTLEchair
- Graham James Bailey
- ROBERT MORRIS BICKET
- Richard Ian Powell
- Richard Oliver Danvers Power
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/09/2025 | £113k | £125k |
| 30/09/2024 | £145k | £128k |
| 30/09/2023 | £83k | £79k |
| 30/09/2022 | £68k | £86k |
| 30/09/2021 | £128k | £112k |
Common questions
Is THE SIR MAX AITKEN MUSEUM financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity incurred a net deficit of £12,293 for the year ended 30 September 2025, compared to a surplus in the prior year. Free reserves stood at £987,872 at year-end, which the trustees describe as providing a financial underpin to meet normal annual expenditure. Investment assets increased in value to £966,845, contributing to the overall asset base. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | 2 | £171k |
| THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION | 2 | £11k |
| BAGRI FOUNDATION | 1 | £698k |
| LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM FRIENDS | 1 | £639k |
| The Ethos Foundation | 1 | £521k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £500k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £450k |
| THE MASTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £325k |
Charities like this
- LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM LIMITED
- THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM
- HEUGH GUN BATTERY TRUST LIMITED
- GEFEN FOUNDATION
- KING'S OWN ROYAL BORDER REGIMENT MUSEUM FUND
- THE AITKEN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SIR MAX AITKEN MUSEUM | £113k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM LIMITED | £19.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE FOUNDLING MUSEUM | £2.0m | unclear | — | within | — | no doubt |
| HEUGH GUN BATTERY TRUST LIMITED | £174k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| GEFEN FOUNDATION | £373k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| KING'S OWN ROYAL BORDER REGIMENT MUSEUM FUND | £218k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |