BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY
With no opera house, all our work lives in the peoples and places of the city- a unique fusion of local volunteers and international artists delivering artistic, personal and social change.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £558,631, which is above the Trustees' ideal minimum target of £75,000. The charity reports a net movement in funds of £83,778 for the year, supported by secured Arts Council England funding, with no material uncertainties identified regarding its ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“There was one employee (2024: one) with emoluments in excess of £60,000 per annum in the current year, within the bracket of £60,000 to £70,000.” — page 41
“There was one employee (2024: one) with emoluments in excess of £60,000 per annum in the current year, within the bracket of £60,000 to £70,000.” — page 41
“The Trustees consider that the ideal minimum level of unrestricted reserves is £75,000, and the ideal level is £150,000 with additional reserves designated as explained overleaf.” — page 26
“One Trustee, R Willacy, was employed by the charity during the year and has been paid remuneration in the banding of £65,000 - £70,000 (2024 - £65,000 - £70,000) in their capacity as an employee” — page 41
“During the year, the charity received a grant of £10,350 (2024: £Nil) from Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation UK, a registered charity with a common Trustee, and accordingly the transaction is considered a related party transaction. The grant was received on normal charitable terms and was used solely in furtherance of the charitable objectives of the charity. The trustee concerned took no part in the discussions or decision‑making relating to the award of the grant. There were no amounts outstanding at the year end in respect of this grant.” — page 45
Funders the charity credits
- Arts Council England
- Birmingham City Council
- Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
- George Cadbury Fund
- The Laidlaw Opera Trust
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 30/06/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (14/04/2025)
Trustees
- Geoffrey John Nicholas Payne
- Hannah Griffiths
- Joelle Ikwa
- Justine Themen
- Katie Fulcher
- Lauren Williams
- Richard Willacy
- Stephen Maddock
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £824k | £750k |
| 30/06/2024 | £870k | £1.3m |
| 30/06/2023 | £840k | £693k |
| 30/06/2022 | £642k | £447k |
| 30/06/2021 | £710k | £769k |
Common questions
Is BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £558,631, which is above the Trustees' ideal minimum target of £75,000. The charity reports a net movement in funds of £83,778 for the year, supported by secured Arts Council England funding, with no material uncertainties identified regarding its ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Forvis Mazars LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,001 - £70,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY as a grant recipient include THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST, WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST, Laidlaw Opera Trust, C B AND H H TAYLOR 1984 TRUST, THE GEORGE CADBURY TRUST (GEORGE HENRY T AND LAURENCE J CADBURY SECTIONS).
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 01/03/2006 | £5k | Don Giovanni |