BENSLOW MUSIC TRUST
The Trust's main activity is its educational work for adult amateur musicians, through its year-round course programme and related musical activities at its residential centre in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported an overall deficit of £139,995 on unrestricted funds, driven by planned spending on a Transformation programme. However, the trustees confirm that free reserves exceed the stated policy target by 59%, and the audit opinion confirms the accounts are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was: 31.12.25 1” — page 30
“The reserves policy of the Trust is to build to and maintain equivalent to six months of operating expenditure as a minimum secure level.” — page 7
“Benslow Music Enterprises Limited (Registered Company 10967344) was established in 2017 as a wholly owned subsidiary to manage the Trust's non-music trading activity.” — page 9
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (14/11/2025)
- Received assets from another charity (29/03/2023)
Trustees
- Heidi Louise Malaurechair
- Alan William Sheppard
- Alessandra Mongiardino
- Anthony Richard O'Hagan
- Bhagwant Singh
- Claire Rachel Monks
- Colin Gerald Bates
- Ellen Siobhan Falconer
- Helen Louise McKeown
- Jake Murphy
- Paul Henri Lehmann
- Thomas James Alldred
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £1.6m | £1.8m |
| 31/12/2024 | £1.5m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2023 | £2.1m | £1.5m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.3m | £1.4m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.1m | £1.2m |
Common questions
Is BENSLOW MUSIC TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported an overall deficit of £139,995 on unrestricted funds, driven by planned spending on a Transformation programme. However, the trustees confirm that free reserves exceed the stated policy target by 59%, and the audit opinion confirms the accounts are prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Bradshaw Johnson.
Who funds BENSLOW MUSIC TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name BENSLOW MUSIC TRUST as a grant recipient include DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | Bursary scheme |
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | FY2023 | £3k | Improving wellbeing: Music Therapy for Children with Autism |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE MAYOR OF LONDON'S FUND FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS | 3 | £476k |
| The Barnes Fund | 1 | £336k |
| THE NISBET TRUST | 1 | £335k |
| THE FOYLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| JOHN JAMES BRISTOL FOUNDATION | 1 | £137k |
| THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH MUSIC | 1 | £102k |
| THE BEAVERBROOK FOUNDATION | 1 | £66k |
| HAMPTON FUEL ALLOTMENT | 1 | £62k |
Charities like this
- BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MUSIC TRUST
- BRISTOL MUSIC TRUST
- RICHMOND UPON THAMES MUSIC TRUST COMPANY LIMITED
- THE JULIAN BREAM TRUST
- BROMLEY YOUTH MUSIC TRUST
- THE ABSOLUTE MUSIC TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENSLOW MUSIC TRUST | £1.6m | — | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MUSIC TRUST | £2.9m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| BRISTOL MUSIC TRUST | £14.4m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| RICHMOND UPON THAMES MUSIC TRUST COMPANY LIMITED | £1.8m | more than £60,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE JULIAN BREAM TRUST | £125k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BROMLEY YOUTH MUSIC TRUST | £1.8m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |