The Association of English Cathedrals
Analysis
The Association of English Cathedrals is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in West Midlands. It was registered in February 2009, 17 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06726262). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information, sponsors or undertakes research and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Association of English Cathedrals reported income of £270k and spending of £204k, leaving 24% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £196k to £270k (+38%), an average of +8.3% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 44%. Over the whole period it spent 107% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The Association of English Cathedrals sits at the 85th percentile: it is larger than about 85% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 84th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Trinity Church, Harrow (£270k), Bretton Baptist Church (£270k) and The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Cross with St Faith (£270k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
As representative of the Chapters of the Anglican cathedrals, the AEC deals with governmental agencies, central Church bodies and other organisations on behalf of the cathedrals, although it cannot commit any individual Chapter to a specific decision. It also promotes the role of cathedrals and encourages sharing of best practice and information to assist cathedrals in fulfilling their purposes.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Church, Harrow | Harrow | £270k |
| Bretton Baptist Church | Peterborough | £270k |
| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Cross with St Faith | Winchester | £270k |
| St Edmundsbury Cathedral Trust | Bury St. Edmunds | £270k |