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THE SHAW TRUST LIMITED

Registered charity 287785 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as SHAW TRUST · also registered in Scotland as SC039856 (OSCR)

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Latest income
£291.1m
Latest spending
£289.1m
Registered
1983
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that total reserves stood at £243.8m, with free reserves of £33.3m, which is within the stated policy target of two to four months of costs (£25m–£49m). The charity reports a net movement in funds of -£0.8m, driven largely by the deconsolidation of Newfriars College, while noting that working capital remained positive and in line with key KPIs.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: two – four months of costs (being approximately £25m – £49m) (held: £33.3m)
“The current target is to maintain reserves in the range of two – four months of costs (being approximately £25m – £49m).” — page 15
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Intra-group transactions including central staff recharges and purchases of services.
“Related party transactions amongst Group entities for the year included staff and central management recharges, Gift Aid profits, cash transfers, loans and balances written off and purchases of goods and services.” — page 81
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Pension scheme deficit: £570k
“The FRS 102 valuation of the Charity’s pension schemes at 31 August 2025 showed an overall funding deficit of £0.6m (2024: deficit £3.8m).” — page 16
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts audited by Crowe U.K. LLP. Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

What the charity says about itself (2024/25)

From its own voluntary annual review / impact report— the charity’s account of its work, distinct from the statutory accounts analysed above.

The charity states it supported over 270,000 people in the period.
“We’ve been at the frontline, supporting over 270,000 people to access and stay in good work.”
Specific metric on people moving from NEET to EET status.
“10,469 Young people were moved from Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), to in Education, Employment or Training (EET).”
Financial impact through partnerships with VCSEs.
“£9.7m flowed to 46 voluntary sector organisations or small or medium enterprises through our partnerships.”
Specific outcome for apprenticeships supported.
“We’ve supported 883 apprentices gain hands-on experience of the workplace.”

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — Shaw Trust (matched by registered charity number).

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)

Total income
£291.1m
Total spending
£289.1m
Cost of raising funds
£4.1m
Reserves (reported)
£243.8m
Employees
4,998

Reported reserves equal ~10.1 months of spending — in the top quarter for charities its size (median 2.7 months; benchmarks).

Register events

Trustees

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

Operates in: Australia · Poland · Romania · Scotland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/08/2025£291.1m£289.1m
31/08/2024£315.8m£289.1m
31/08/2023£302.0m£316.4m
31/08/2022£295.9m£294.8m
31/08/2021£263.4m£234.9m

Common questions

Is THE SHAW TRUST LIMITED financially healthy?

The accounts state that total reserves stood at £243.8m, with free reserves of £33.3m, which is within the stated policy target of two to four months of costs (£25m–£49m). The charity reports a net movement in funds of -£0.8m, driven largely by the deconsolidation of Newfriars College, while noting that working capital remained positive and in line with key KPIs. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

FunderDateAmountPurpose
The National Lottery Heritage Fund04/04/2006£25k"Opening Doors"