ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated a net surplus of £458,203 for the year, with total income of £6,305,730 and total expenditure of £6,161,851. Per the trustees' report, free reserves stood at £2,984,915, which exceeds the stated policy target of £2,451,384, and unrestricted funds carried forward represent approximately 30 months of operating expenditure.
What the accounts disclose
“In 2025, The Society charged its subsidiary company Aeronautical Trading Limited £314,024 (2024: £359,709) in respect of administrative expenses which represents an allocation of overheads from the Society.” — page 36
“As at 31 December 2025, the Aeronautical Trading Limited owed the charity £524,087 (2024: £88,630).” — page 36
“In 2025, The Society charged its subsidiary company Aeronautical Trading Limited £314,024 (2024: £359,709) in respect of administrative expenses which represents an allocation of overheads from the Society.” — page 36
“As at 31 December 2025, the Aeronautical Trading Limited owed the charity £524,087 (2024: £88,630).” — page 36
“the actuarial valuation shows a deficit of £982k (2019: £1,294k).”
“Aeronautical Trading Limited (registered number 03243525) is the only trading company and its results, assets and liabilities are included in the consolidated accounts.” — page 47
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Prof Malcolm Macdonald FRAeS — President
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Peter Adrian Round FRAeSchair
- Alison Halliday Kennedy
- Andrew Alexander Allen FRAeS
- Andrew James Rae
- Brian Philipson
- Clary Susanne Ingeborg Svensdotter
- Dr Alisdair Edward James Wood FRAeS
- Elliot Paul Renton
- Malcolm Macdonald
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £6.3m | £6.2m |
| 31/12/2024 | £6.2m | £5.8m |
| 31/12/2023 | £5.9m | £4.9m |
| 31/12/2022 | £5.8m | £4.7m |
| 31/12/2021 | £4.4m | £3.7m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity generated a net surplus of £458,203 for the year, with total income of £6,305,730 and total expenditure of £6,161,851. Per the trustees' report, free reserves stood at £2,984,915, which exceeds the stated policy target of £2,451,384, and unrestricted funds carried forward represent approximately 30 months of operating expenditure. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Crowe U.K. LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| DEVELOPMENTS IN LITERACY UK (UK) | 2 | £20k |
| MISSION44 | 1 | £810k |
| THE HEALTH FOUNDATION | 1 | £150k |
| ROSETREES | 1 | £94k |
| THE NUFFIELD FOUNDATION | 1 | £66k |
| THE RISMAN FOUNDATION | 1 | £50k |
| THE SINO-BRITISH FELLOWSHIP TRUST | 1 | £19k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |