BUSINESS LAUNCHPAD
Provision of enterprise training, awareness and business units for young people
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £42k for the year, driven by increased trading income from its subsidiary, Trident Business Centre Limited. However, the group recorded a significant unrealised loss of £1.99m on the revaluation of its leasehold property, which reduced total unrestricted funds to £3.08m. The trustees note that free reserves are minimal, with the majority of group assets tied up in fixed property and liabilities, though they aim to rebuild reserves to three months of operating costs over the next five years.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee received emoluments in the band £80,000 to £90,000” — page 32
“One employee received emoluments in the band £80,000 to £90,000” — page 32
“At year-end, free reserves were £230k, representing just over 2 months.”
“Business Launchpad is the sole shareholder in Trident Business Centre Limited, which donates its profits every year to Business Launchpad. Business Launchpad also has a loan outstanding to Trident Business Centre, on which it receives interest.”
“The charity has a trading subsidiary Trident Business Centre Limited which is incorporated in the UK.” — page 38
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from more than £60,000 (FY2024) to £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2025).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Olu Olanrewaju — Chair
- Felicia Mattis-Rome — Chief Executive Officer
- James Wall — Vice Chair
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- OLU OLANREWAJUchair
- Akta Raja
- Bianca Riemer
- George Culverhouse
- Hayley Elizabeth Butler
- James Richard Wall
- Simon John Williams
- WILLIAM SCEATS
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.5m | £1.5m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.4m | £1.3m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.2m | £1.2m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.2m | £1.3m |
| 31/03/2021 | £1.2m | £1.1m |
Common questions
Is BUSINESS LAUNCHPAD financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £42k for the year, driven by increased trading income from its subsidiary, Trident Business Centre Limited. However, the group recorded a significant unrealised loss of £1.99m on the revaluation of its leasehold property, which reduced total unrestricted funds to £3.08m. The trustees note that free reserves are minimal, with the majority of group assets tied up in fixed property and liabilities, though they aim to rebuild reserves to three months of operating costs over the next five years. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Barnes Roffe Audit Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of BUSINESS LAUNCHPAD earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,001 - £90,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds BUSINESS LAUNCHPAD?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BUSINESS LAUNCHPAD as a grant recipient include TRUST FOR LONDON, IMPETUS - THE PRIVATE EQUITY FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRUST FOR LONDON | FY2024 | £350k | Social investment |
| IMPETUS - THE PRIVATE EQUITY FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £50k | Grants to Impetus portfolio partners |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London Authority | 01/01/2020 | £150k | Business Launchpad |
| London Borough of Southwark | 01/04/2019 | £15k | Grant to Business Launchpad |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 20/07/2018 | £9k | Youth Leadership Enterprise Programme |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BLAGRAVE TRUST | 2 | £277k |
| Founders Pledge Ltd | 1 | £6.5m |
| EFFECTIVE VENTURES FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.0m |
| DAVID & RUTH LEWIS FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £255k |
| John Lewis Partnership Foundation | 1 | £181k |
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £170k |
| THE FIDELITY UK FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| THE CHARLOTTE BONHAM-CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £138k |
Charities like this
- Launchpad Social Enterprise
- YOUTH OPTIONS
- CHARITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- BUSINESS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP (UK) LTD
- OUR KIDS
- BECOME CHARITY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUSINESS LAUNCHPAD | £1.5m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| Launchpad Social Enterprise | £5.6m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| YOUTH OPTIONS | £3.8m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHARITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP | £4.3m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| BUSINESS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP (UK) LTD | £1.9m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| OUR KIDS | £19.3m | Under £60,000 | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |