ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE
The Royal Academy of Dance is a registration organisation for dance teachers, a Higher Education provider for aspiring dance teachers, an Awarding Organisation leading to proficiency in dance at a high level; and the owner of Benesh Movement Notation; and through these provides dance training, dance teacher education, and dance assessment services to students and teachers. :
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the group reported a net loss of £1,675,000 for the year ended 31 July 2025, resulting in a decrease in unrestricted net assets. The charity breached a loan covenant during the year, requiring the loan to be reclassified as a short-term liability, although the bank issued a waiver after the year end. The trustees concluded that going concern is appropriate, forecasting a continued deficit in the short term before returning to surplus by FY28.
What the accounts disclose
“Between £190,001 - £200,000* 1”
“Examination fees 12,715”
“Fundraising income increased by 12% to £800,000 (FY24: £716,000) and direct expenditure increased by 15% to £938,000 (FY24: £819,000)”
“The target for group free reserves is £3,555,000, with £3,112,000 being within charity reserves.”
“During FY25, the RAD breached a covenant associated with the term loan due to a decline in income, which resulted in an operating group loss. Since the year end the RAD has renegotiated the terms of the loan to extend for one year to 19 July 2027 and following this the bank issued a waiver after the year end.” — page 48
“During the financial year, 6 trustees (FY24: 3 trustees) received remuneration for providing services to the RAD. Payments to trustees who are also examiners, tutors and mentors were made in accordance with Articles 6.5 and 10 of the Charter.” — page 56
“Related party: Noriko Kobayashi (National Director – Japan) as owner of Kobayashi Ballet Studios Transaction: Hire of dance studios, office space and seconded staff for exams, courses, summer school and administration Cost of transaction: £57,272” — page 56
“Related party: Family member (National Director – Italy) Transaction: Payroll costs Cost of transaction: £46,235”
“Related party: Noriko Kobayashi (National Director – Japan) as owner of Kobayashi Ballet Studios Transaction: Hire of dance studios, office space and seconded staff for exams, courses, summer school and administration Cost of transaction: £57,272” — page 56
“Related party: Family member (National Director – Italy) Transaction: Payroll costs Cost of transaction: £46,235”
“Related party: Noriko Kobayashi (National Director – Japan) as owner of Kobayashi Ballet Studios Transaction: Hire of dance studios, office space and seconded staff for exams, courses, summer school and administration Cost of transaction: £57,272” — page 56
“Related party: Family member (National Director – Italy) Transaction: Payroll costs Cost of transaction: £46,235”
“Related party: Noriko Kobayashi (National Director – Japan) as owner of Kobayashi Ballet Studios Transaction: Hire of dance studios, office space and seconded staff for exams, courses, summer school and administration Cost of transaction: £57,272” — page 56
“Related party: Family member (National Director – Italy) Transaction: Payroll costs Cost of transaction: £46,235”
“Trading income (retail, licensing and royalties) Income generated by the UK trading subsidiary, together with licensing and royalty income, decreased to £1,394,000”
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2024) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2025).
In the news
- Royal Academy of Dance welcomes ‘brilliant student’ the Queen for visit
- Royal Academy of Dance welcomes ‘brilliant student’ the Queen for visit
- Royal Academy of Dance welcomes ‘brilliant student’ the Queen for visit
- Queen Camila makes an appearance at the Royal Academy of Dance
- Queen visits Royal Academy of Dance
- Royal Academy of Dance welcomes ‘brilliant student’ the Queen for visit
- Royal Academy Of Dance Reveals Winners Of The Rad Awards 2026
- Jane Pirani Awarded Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Dance
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE ENTERPRISES LTD. Companies House 02773495
- Registered company of the charity Companies House RC000436
- Turnover: £470k
- Profit before tax: £161k
- Donated/gift-aided to the charity: £161k
“The amount donated in 2025 was £160,700 (FY24: £93,750).”
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/07/2025)
Trustees
- Stephen Moss CBEchair
- Amy Giancarlo
- Beverly Dorothy Barbara Payne
- Catherine Ward Quinn
- Chi Cao
- Grace Anne Margaret Buskell
- IMOGEN KNIGHT
- Jane Karczewski
- Justine Anthea Hampsheir
- Mark Colin Bramwell
- Mark John Carawan
- Prof Peter Flew
- Rachel Jackson-Weingartner
- Sarah Georgina Robbins
- Sarah Margaret Haslock
- Sonia Greco
- Stephen Sacks
- Victoria Allport
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/07/2025 | £22.4m | £24.2m |
| 31/07/2024 | £21.7m | £23.0m |
| 31/07/2023 | £22.0m | £22.1m |
| 31/07/2022 | £20.6m | £20.3m |
| 31/07/2021 | £18.7m | £16.9m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the group reported a net loss of £1,675,000 for the year ended 31 July 2025, resulting in a decrease in unrestricted net assets. The charity breached a loan covenant during the year, requiring the loan to be reclassified as a short-term liability, although the bank issued a waiver after the year end. The trustees concluded that going concern is appropriate, forecasting a continued deficit in the short term before returning to surplus by FY28. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £190,001 - £200,000 band.
Who funds ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE as a grant recipient include JACK PETCHEY FOUNDATION, KUSUMA TRUST UK, THE LINBURY TRUST, THE TOMLINSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE CLORE DUFFIELD FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACK PETCHEY FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £513k | Step into Dance |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | FY2023 | £200k | RAD - A New Home for Dance |
| THE LINBURY TRUST | FY2022 | £125k | Towards the landmark project to relocate the Royal Academy of Dance to a significantly larger site; second payment of £250,000 grant. |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | FY2025 | £100k | RADiate and Core Funding |
| THE TOMLINSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £100k | |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | FY2024 | £100k | RADiate and Core Funding |
| THE TOMLINSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £100k | |
| THE CLORE DUFFIELD FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £60k | Arts, heritage and education |
| THE LINBURY TRUST | FY2024 | £60k | Towards the purchase of the Dancing Times archive, related staff costs, and using the archive in the Royal Academy of Dance’s education and outreach programmes. |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | FY2024 | £50k | Towards bursary support for UK students on Certificate in Dance Teaching (Ballet) and Professional Dancers Graduate Teaching Diploma. |
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | FY2022 | £25k | Theatre |
| THE DORFMAN FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £15k | |
| THE DORFMAN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £15k | |
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | FY2023 | £13k | |
| The Ethos Foundation | FY2023 | £13k | Other smaller grants |
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | FY2024 | £10k | |
| THE BUFFINI CHAO FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £10k | |
| THE BUFFINI CHAO FOUNDATION | FY2025 | £10k | |
| The Ethos Foundation | FY2025 | £5k | smaller donation |
| THE CHILDHOOD TRUST | FY2023 | £3k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport England | 11/11/2025 | £7k | Ballet for the Cancer Community |
| City Bridge Foundation | 23/09/2015 | £147k | Grant to Royal Academy of Dance |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| CHK Foundation | 4 | £100k |
| STANLEY PICKER TRUST | 4 | £65k |
| THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION | 3 | £74k |
| THE ROSE FOUNDATION | 3 | £65k |
| THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £1.9m |
| THE BAND TRUST | 2 | £1.2m |
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | 2 | £1.2m |
| THE ERANDA ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | 2 | £336k |
Charities like this
- THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ART
- THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
- ACS DANCE CENTRE
- ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC
- THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL
- CENTRAL SCHOOL OF BALLET CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE | £22.4m | £190,001 - £200,000 | — | unclear | 117.3% | noted |
| THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ART | £16.7m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS | £37.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ACS DANCE CENTRE | £256k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC | £33.2m | — | — | unclear | 14.3% | no doubt |
| THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL | £16.6m | — | 0 | unclear | 10.0% | noted |