The Representative Body of the Church in Wales
Analysis
The Representative Body of the Church in Wales is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Cardiff. It was registered in July 2011, 15 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Representative Body of the Church in Wales reported income of £23.0m and spending of £29.1m, spending 127% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £20.3m to £23.0m (+14%), an average of +3.2% a year. Over the whole period it spent 131% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The Representative Body of the Church in Wales sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance (£23.0m), Westminster Fund (£23.8m) and Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance (£22.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from investments 95% and charitable activities 4.8%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £100k. Charitable activities took 87% of spending and raising funds 11%. Grants to other organisations totalled £10.8m. Reserves of £618.2m would cover about 250 months of spending at that rate. It employed 122 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.0%
- Legacies 0.4%
- Charitable activities 4.8%
- Investments 95%
In the charity's own words
The Representative Body's key objectives and activities are:1. To manage its investments;2. To manage the ecclesiastical and secular property vested in the Representative Body for the uses and purposes of the Church in Wales;3. To oversee the work of St Michael's College;4. To provide an efficient and professional administrative service across a wide range of administrative functions.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Chelmsford Diocesan Board of Finance | Chelmsford | £23.0m |
| Westminster Fund | Dorking | £23.8m |
| Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance | Leeds | £22.6m |
| Alpha International | London | £23.9m |