Church of England Central Services
Analysis
Church of England Central Services is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in December 2013, 13 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 08776679). It says it provides other finance, provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Church of England Central Services reported income of £140.1m and spending of £139.8m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £16.9m to £140.1m (+727%), an average of +70% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 458%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, Church of England Central Services 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 Methodist Independent Schools Trust (£118.2m), University of Chester (£154.2m) and Parish Giving Scheme (£114.6m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 80% and charitable activities 20%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £112.7m. It employed 240 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 80%
- Charitable activities 20%
- Other 0.0%
In the charity's own words
The Charity's objects are to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Church Institutions (NCIs), dioceses and other charities with a Church ethos by providing cost-effective shared financial, legal and other support services including payroll and also to promote the charitable purposes of the NCIs.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Methodist Independent Schools Trust | London | £118.2m |
| University of Chester | Chester | £154.2m |
| Parish Giving Scheme | Gloucester | £114.6m |
| Church Commissioners for England | London | £212.6m |