YOUNG CLASSICAL ARTISTS TRUST
YCAT was set up in 1984 to identify, nurture and promote outstanding young soloists and ensembles at the outset of their professional careers. As an artist management service YCAT liaises with promoters in the UK and abroad. YCAT also presents concerts to showcase the artists it represents. After three years of representation YCAT aims to introduce the artists to suitable commercial management.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds £376,627 in general unrestricted funds, which the trustees consider sufficient to maintain operations for at least 12 months. Cash at bank increased to £832,466, representing 131% of annual expenditure, indicating a healthy liquidity position. The charity reported a net surplus of £205,011 for the year, supported by strong investment gains and stable fundraising income.
What the accounts disclose
“One employee earned between £90,000 and £100,000 during the year” — page 37
“One employee earned between £90,000 and £100,000 during the year” — page 37
“The trustees have agreed to ring fence an annual target level of general free reserves equating to 9 months of core operating costs.” — page 17
“A Tait, the CEO, is also a trustee of The Ann Driver Trust. During the year YCAT received a grant of £3,000 (2024: £3,000) from the Ann Driver Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO is also a trustee of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. During the year the charity received a grant of £24,676 (2024: £23,622) from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO, is also a trustee of The Ann Driver Trust. During the year YCAT received a grant of £3,000 (2024: £3,000) from the Ann Driver Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO is also a trustee of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. During the year the charity received a grant of £24,676 (2024: £23,622) from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO, is also a trustee of The Ann Driver Trust. During the year YCAT received a grant of £3,000 (2024: £3,000) from the Ann Driver Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO is also a trustee of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. During the year the charity received a grant of £24,676 (2024: £23,622) from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO, is also a trustee of The Ann Driver Trust. During the year YCAT received a grant of £3,000 (2024: £3,000) from the Ann Driver Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO is also a trustee of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. During the year the charity received a grant of £24,676 (2024: £23,622) from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO, is also a trustee of The Ann Driver Trust. During the year YCAT received a grant of £3,000 (2024: £3,000) from the Ann Driver Trust.” — page 45
“A Tait, the CEO is also a trustee of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. During the year the charity received a grant of £24,676 (2024: £23,622) from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.” — page 45
Funders the charity credits
- The Cosman Keller Art & Music Trust
- IAMA
- E J Thompson Memorial Fund
- 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust
- AB Pollen Trust
- AD Power WIII Trust
- American Friends of Wigmore Hall
- Ann Driver Trust
- Backstage Trust
- CHK Foundation
- Concordia Foundation
- Countess of Munster Musical Trust
- EJ Thompson Memorial Trust
- Garrick Charitable Trust
- Harris Charitable Trust
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (01/11/2021)
Trustees
- Alastair Dunbar Storeychair
- Akhil Shah
- Jonathan Vaughan
- Julie Elizabeth Webb
- Kirsty Joan MacDonald
- Michael David Gladman Horridge
- Nicholas Charles Francis Sanderson
- Rachel Van Walsum
- Sir Simon Christopher Townsend Robey
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £815k | £634k |
| 31/08/2024 | £539k | £501k |
| 31/08/2023 | £531k | £467k |
| 31/08/2022 | £419k | £462k |
| 31/08/2021 | £525k | £413k |
Common questions
Is YOUNG CLASSICAL ARTISTS TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds £376,627 in general unrestricted funds, which the trustees consider sufficient to maintain operations for at least 12 months. Cash at bank increased to £832,466, representing 131% of annual expenditure, indicating a healthy liquidity position. The charity reported a net surplus of £205,011 for the year, supported by strong investment gains and stable fundraising income. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Godfrey Wilson Limited.
What does the highest-paid employee of YOUNG CLASSICAL ARTISTS TRUST earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £90,001 - £100,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds YOUNG CLASSICAL ARTISTS TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name YOUNG CLASSICAL ARTISTS TRUST as a grant recipient include BACKSTAGE TRUST, JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST, KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST, THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION, MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACKSTAGE TRUST | FY2025 | £67k | Fundraising support |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £50k | |
| KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £20k | |
| KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £10k | |
| THE JOHN S COHEN FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k | Education & Academic |
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | FY2024 | £5k | |
| KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £5k | |
| OLD POSSUM'S PRACTICAL TRUST | FY2025 | £5k | |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £3k | |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £3k | |
| KATHLEEN BERYL SLEIGH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £2k | |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2021 | £1k | |
| JOHN SWIRE 1989 CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE GOLSONCOTT FOUNDATION | 3 | £4k |
| THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST | 2 | £88k |
| THE KIRBY LAING FOUNDATION | 2 | £35k |
| THE HAROLD HYAM WINGATE FOUNDATION | 2 | £33k |
| THE IDLEWILD TRUST | 2 | £31k |
| THE JOHN THAW FOUNDATION | 2 | £2k |
| THE REED FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE BURBERRY FOUNDATION | 1 | £2.0m |
Charities like this
- YOUTH MUSIC CENTRE
- KEYBOARD CHARITABLE TRUST FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS
- ARTSWORK LIMITED
- NATIONAL YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA
- THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FOUNDATION
- THE NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA LTD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOUNG CLASSICAL ARTISTS TRUST | £815k | £90,001 - £100,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| YOUTH MUSIC CENTRE | £114k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| KEYBOARD CHARITABLE TRUST FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS | £130k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| ARTSWORK LIMITED | £1.9m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL YOUTH STRING ORCHESTRA | £186k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FOUNDATION | £2.2m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |