THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH THEATRE TECHNICIANS

Registered charity 282069 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as A B T T

The association is dependent upon voluntary help in advocating high technical standards for theatres, publications, meetings, conferences, post-entry training, volunteer technical committees, visits, liaison with government and other organisations, research demonstrations, exhibitions, the provision of information and the exchange of ideas and address issues about theatre planning and safety.

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

Latest income
£822k
Latest spending
£706k
Registered
1981
Accounts read
FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a consolidated surplus of £116,555 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £513,427. The trustees consider this level of reserves sufficient to meet immediate objectives and provide financial flexibility, noting that the General Fund represents approximately six months' expenditure. The charity relies heavily on trading subsidiaries for income, with Theatrical Trading Limited generating a surplus of £294,679, while Theatrical Events Limited recorded a small loss of £451.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Highest-paid employee band: £80,001 - £90,000 — above the 90th percentile for charities its size (median £60k)
In the band £80,001 - £90,000 — page 43
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Largest income source: Other trading activities (82% of income)
Income from other trading activities 673,939
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee remuneration for training services
one Trustee, in respect of the provision of training services, totalling £6,158 (2023: 2 Trustees, totalling £18,354) — page 44
one Trustee in respect of the provision of editorial services for Sightline, totalling £2,070 (2023: Nil). — page 44
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee remuneration for editorial services
one Trustee, in respect of the provision of training services, totalling £6,158 (2023: 2 Trustees, totalling £18,354) — page 44
one Trustee in respect of the provision of editorial services for Sightline, totalling £2,070 (2023: Nil). — page 44
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee travel expenses
one Trustee, in respect of the provision of training services, totalling £6,158 (2023: 2 Trustees, totalling £18,354) — page 44
one Trustee in respect of the provision of editorial services for Sightline, totalling £2,070 (2023: Nil). — page 44
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)

Total income
£822k
Total spending
£706k
Reserves (reported)
£513k
Employees
4

Reported reserves equal ~8.7 months of spending — above the median for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

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

Operates in: Northern Ireland · Scotland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/12/2024£822k£706k
31/12/2023£905k£842k
31/12/2022£586k£549k
31/12/2021£278k£277k
31/12/2020£365k£385k

Common questions

Is THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH THEATRE TECHNICIANS financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a consolidated surplus of £116,555 for the year ended 31 December 2024, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £513,427. The trustees consider this level of reserves sufficient to meet immediate objectives and provide financial flexibility, noting that the General Fund represents approximately six months' expenditure. The charity relies heavily on trading subsidiaries for income, with Theatrical Trading Limited generating a surplus of £294,679, while Theatrical Events Limited recorded a small loss of £451. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.

What does the highest-paid employee of THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH THEATRE TECHNICIANS earn?

Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band.