ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
To provide pre-professional, undergraduate and postgraduate musical training of the highest national and international standards.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an operating surplus of £0.7m and a total comprehensive income of £5.2m for the year ended 31 July 2025. Unrestricted reserves increased to £142.9m, supported by significant investment gains and the reclassification of endowment funds, despite an underlying operational deficit of £0.4m.
What the accounts disclose
“In 2024/25 the team delivered a return of 7:1, well above the sector average.” — page 31
“A grant of £47k (£44.7k 2023/24) was paid to the RAM SU for their work in supporting students during the year.” — page 67
“In the financial year 2024/25, the Academy received a distribution of £1.75m (£500k 2023/24).” — page 67
“A grant of £47k (£44.7k 2023/24) was paid to the RAM SU for their work in supporting students during the year.” — page 67
“In the financial year 2024/25, the Academy received a distribution of £1.75m (£500k 2023/24).” — page 67
“A grant of £47k (£44.7k 2023/24) was paid to the RAM SU for their work in supporting students during the year.” — page 67
“In the financial year 2024/25, the Academy received a distribution of £1.75m (£500k 2023/24).” — page 67
In the news
- Royal Academy of Music Lunchtime Concerts at the Goods Shed - Harry Bowden Piano
- The Breaking Point: worlds connected by questions of pressure, identity & the forces that shape human behaviour. Contemporary opera from Royal Academy of Music composers at Tête à Tête
- Teen turns down Oxford University for Royal Academy of Music
- BBC Proms 2026 – Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Juilliard Orchestra & the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra – Stravinsky, Bartók, and Berg’s Violin Concerto played by Vilde Frang.
- Vilde Frang, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Juilliard and Royal Academy of Music musicians in an ambitious program - seenandheard-international.com
- London's Royal Academy of Music Appoints Three High-Profile String Faculty
- New string professors at London’s Royal Academy of Music
- Review: CHESS, Royal Academy of Music
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (21/11/2022)
- Received assets from another charity (28/10/2022)
- Received assets from another charity (22/08/2022)
- Received assets from another charity (22/11/2021)
- Received assets from another charity (15/01/2016)
- Received assets from another charity (12/01/2015)
Trustees
- Alexis Alexander Ffrench
- Andrew Hamish Forsyth
- DAMIAN WISNIEWSKI
- Dame Sarah Elizabeth Healey DCB CVO
- Dinah Rose
- Dr Christopher Philip Robert White
- Dr Cydonie Banting
- Duchess Antonia Wellington OBE
- Gabriel Alves Candido da Silva
- Ina De
- JOHN BURGESS
- Lord Blackwell
- Peter Hesketh
- Professor Jonathan Freeman-Attwood
- Professor Sir Wayne MCGREGOR
- Sir SIMON CHRISTOPHER TOWNSEND ROBEY
- WILLIAM MICHAEL JEFFERIES DE WINTON
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £33.2m | £32.5m |
| 31/07/2024 | £33.5m | £30.3m |
| 31/07/2023 | £32.5m | £29.5m |
| 31/07/2022 | £32.6m | £26.5m |
| 31/07/2021 | £30.1m | £24.5m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an operating surplus of £0.7m and a total comprehensive income of £5.2m for the year ended 31 July 2025. Unrestricted reserves increased to £142.9m, supported by significant investment gains and the reclassification of endowment funds, despite an underlying operational deficit of £0.4m. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by MHA.
Who funds ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC as a grant recipient include THE GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND, THE LEVERHULME TRUST, THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION.
Shared trustees with funders
- HAMISH FORSYTH — trustee here and at THE MILA CHARITABLE ORGANISATION
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 25/05/2004 | £45k | "Musical Notes" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £70k |
| THE KIRBY LAING FOUNDATION | 2 | £43k |
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | 2 | £19k |
| ST GILES-IN-THE-FIELDS AND WILLIAM SHELTON EDUCATIONAL CHARITY | 2 | £4k |
| JERWOOD FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| L G HARRIS TRUST | 1 | £241k |
| THE DORFMAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £193k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £163k |
Charities like this
- ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA LIMITED
- THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC
- THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC AWARDS FUND
- THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND
- Royal Academy Trust
- THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF CHURCH MUSIC
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC | £33.2m | — | — | unclear | 14.3% | no doubt |
| ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA LIMITED | £11.8m | — | — | unclear | 5.0% | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC | £41.1m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC AWARDS FUND | £1.9m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND | £4.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Royal Academy Trust | £5.4m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |