Wates Family Enterprise Trust
Analysis
Wates Family Enterprise Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Leatherhead. It was registered in September 2008, 18 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives and disability, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06648896). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides other finance and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Wates Family Enterprise Trust reported income of £1.8m and spending of £2.0m, spending 108% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £826k to £1.8m (+123%), an average of +22% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 82%. Over the whole period it spent 93% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, Wates Family Enterprise Trust sits at the 93rd percentile: it is larger than about 93% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include JCD Foundation (£1.8m), The British Geriatrics Society (£1.8m) and The London Playing Fields Society (£1.8m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98% and investments 1.7%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £789k would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 8 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 98%
- Investments 1.7%
In the charity's own words
Wates Family Enterprise Trust was set up in 2008 to support initiatives that make a real difference to society. It forms a vital part of the Wates Family's commitment to being engaged stewards of a business that combines wealth creation with social responsibility. All the proposals for awards come from the Wates Family and employees, as a result we are unable to accept applications for funding.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| JCD Foundation | Stanmore | £1.8m |
| The British Geriatrics Society | London | £1.8m |
| The London Playing Fields Society | London | £1.8m |
| Autistica | London | £1.8m |