ERNEST READ TRUST

Registered charity 281016 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

THE TRUST GIVES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ORGANISATIONS RUNNING ACTIVITIES WHICH CONTINUE THE ORIGINAL AIMS AND IDEALS OF ERNEST READ (WHO FOUNDED THE ERNEST READ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN 1931, TO GIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSIC STUDENTS, ADVANCED AMATEURS, TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS TO EXPAND THEIR CONCERT REPERTOIRE). THE ORCHESTRA RECEIVES TRUST INCOME TO SUPPORT ITS CONTINUATION OF THIS CONCEPT.

Objects

TO FURTHER THE OBJECTS OF THE ERNEST READ MUSIC ASSOCIATION (REGISTRATION NUMBER 309249).

Area of benefit: NOT DEFINED

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · Get email alerts

Latest income

£27k

Latest spending

£18k

Registered

1980

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net decrease in total funds of £25,550 for the year ended 31 August 2025, primarily driven by a fair value loss on investments of £34,312. Despite this investment loss, the charity maintained a surplus on its operational activities, with unrestricted funds increasing to £71,583. The trustees consider the financial performance satisfactory and note that reserves are maintained at a level equivalent to three to six months of expenditure.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Largest income source: Dividends from other fixed asset investments - listed (90% of income)

“Dividends from other fixed asset investments - listed 24,156” — page 15

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Reserves policy: three and six months expenditure (held: £72k)

“It is the policy of the Trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to three and six months expenditure.” — page 4

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Trustees · trustee networks

ADRIAN RICHARD LONG
DAVID DANIEL BARNARD · trustee of 1 other charity
GERALDINE ROSEMARY BARNARD
PATRICIA SUSAN FLETCHER
ROWENA MARY HAY

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Throughout London

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/08/2025	£27k	£18k
31/08/2024	£27k	£18k
31/08/2023	£25k	£18k
31/08/2022	£23k	£18k
31/08/2021	£22k	£17k

Common questions

Is ERNEST READ TRUST financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net decrease in total funds of £25,550 for the year ended 31 August 2025, primarily driven by a fair value loss on investments of £34,312. Despite this investment loss, the charity maintained a surplus on its operational activities, with unrestricted funds increasing to £71,583. The trustees consider the financial performance satisfactory and note that reserves are maintained at a level equivalent to three to six months of expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.