THE POETRY SOCIETY
Arts & CultureEducation & Training
Latest income
£1.1m
Latest spending
£950k
Registered
1964
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported a surplus of £141,133 for the year, with unrestricted free reserves standing at £490,893. The trustees maintain a reserves policy of holding between three and six months' operating costs, a level currently exceeded due to uncertainty regarding future Arts Council England funding. The organization remains dependent on this primary funder, with the level of funding for the 2026–27 extension year still pending confirmation.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £60,001 - £70,000 — below the median for charities its size (£70k)
“One employee received an annual remuneration, including employers’ National Insurance, in the band £60,001 to £70,000 (2024: one in the band £60,001 to £70,000).” — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“One employee received an annual remuneration, including employers’ National Insurance, in the band £60,001 to £70,000 (2024: one in the band £60,001 to £70,000).” — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Largest income source: Arts Council England
“The principal funding sources of the Society were: income from Arts Council England (2025: £361,083, 2024: £361,083) towards core costs to advance our charitable aims, income from trusts and foundations (2025: £187,889, 2024: £164,188) to carry out poetry-related projects, fees for providing poetry services (2025: £246,579, 2024: £235,812) and membership and publications revenue (2025: £241,432, 2024: £247,331).”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: between three and six months’ operating costs (held: £491k)
“In line with many charities, the Board now seeks to maintain reserves equivalent to between three and six months’ operating costs.” — page 16
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Keith Jarrett received £360 for educational poetry services.
“During the year one trustee was paid a total of £360 for educational poetry services provided to the charity (2024: £575 for educational poetry services provided to the charity).” — page 27
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Recharges from subsidiary Poetry Place Ltd
“During the year, there were recharges to The Poetry Society from Poetry Place Ltd (a 100% owned subsidiary of the charity) of £4,373 (2024: £4,198).” — page 37
“During the year, Keith Jarrett continued to provide educational services to the charity after his appointment as a Trustee. As allowed by the charity’s governing document he was paid a total of £360 in the period (2024: £575).” — page 37
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee Keith Jarrett paid for educational services
“During the year, there were recharges to The Poetry Society from Poetry Place Ltd (a 100% owned subsidiary of the charity) of £4,373 (2024: £4,198).” — page 37
“During the year, Keith Jarrett continued to provide educational services to the charity after his appointment as a Trustee. As allowed by the charity’s governing document he was paid a total of £360 in the period (2024: £575).” — page 37
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Poetry Place Limited
“Poetry Place Limited (company number: 3173544) is the wholly owned subsidiary of the Poetry Society.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2024) → 1 (FY2025).
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Total income
£1.1m
Total spending
£950k
Reserves (reported)
£1.4m
Employees
12
Trustees
- Stephen Richard Feberchair
- Casey Bailey
- Keith Jarrett
- Lisa Kiew
- Mairi Ruth Johnson
- Martine Padwell
- Niall Alexander Munro
- Patrick Robert Anthony McGuinness
- Robin Houghton
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.1m | £950k |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.1m | £970k |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.1m | £1.0m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.1m | £919k |
| 31/03/2021 | £950k | £921k |
Common questions
Is THE POETRY SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported a surplus of £141,133 for the year, with unrestricted free reserves standing at £490,893. The trustees maintain a reserves policy of holding between three and six months' operating costs, a level currently exceeded due to uncertainty regarding future Arts Council England funding. The organization remains dependent on this primary funder, with the level of funding for the 2026–27 extension year still pending confirmation. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Knox Cropper LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE POETRY SOCIETY 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 THE POETRY SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE POETRY SOCIETY as a grant recipient include THE FOYLE FOUNDATION, THE T. S. ELIOT FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £575k | |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £90k | |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £75k | |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £75k | |
| THE T. S. ELIOT FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £3k | Direct UK Grants |
| THE T. S. ELIOT FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £2k | Direct UK Grants |
| THE T. S. ELIOT FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £2k | Direct UK Grants |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Giles & St George | 29/04/2025 | £6k | Grant to The Poetry Society |
| UK government | 08/02/2024 | £150k | Capital Investment Programme |
| UK government | 13/10/2022 | £361k | National Portfolio Organisations |
| UK government | 13/10/2022 | £361k | National Portfolio Organisations |
| UK government | 01/04/2022 | £16k | Poet Laureate Support Role |
| UK government | 13/12/2021 | £361k | National Portfolio Organisations |
| UK government | 01/04/2021 | £15k | Poet Laureate Support Role |
| UK government | 01/04/2020 | £13k | Poet Laureate Support Role |
| City Bridge Foundation | 24/05/2016 | £100k | Grant to Poetry Society |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/11/2008 | £10k | Poetry Slambassadors |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 13/09/2005 | £61k | 'Respect Slam' Project |
| UK government | — | £13k | Poet Laureate |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOLSONCOTT FOUNDATION | 2 | £31k |
| THE FENTON ARTS TRUST | 2 | £15k |
| HOLMFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £202k |
| THE JOHN BROWNE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £130k |
| THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH MUSIC | 1 | £60k |
| THE REED FOUNDATION | 1 | £45k |
| THE FREELANDS FOUNDATION LIMITED | 1 | £35k |
| CML - CHEVRAS MO'OZ LADOL | 1 | £21k |
Charities like this
- POETRY LONDON LTD
- HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION LTD
- ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTER-PRINTMAKERS
- CONTAINS ART CIO
- OPEN DOOR SOCIETY LIMITED
- THE LAW SOCIETY CHARITY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE POETRY SOCIETY | £1.1m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| POETRY LONDON LTD | £130k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION LTD | £6.9m | £110,001 - £120,000 | 3 | below | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTER-PRINTMAKERS | £123k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CONTAINS ART CIO | £330k | Under £60,000 | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| OPEN DOOR SOCIETY LIMITED | £1.9m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |