The British Ecological Society

Analysis

The British Ecological Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in January 1981, 45 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01522897). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending December 2025, The British Ecological Society reported income of £6.3m and spending of £5.8m, spending 93% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £5.4m to £6.3m (+17%), an average of +4.0% a year. Over the whole period it spent 90% of the income it received.

Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The British Ecological Society sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (£6.1m), Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Limited (£6.3m) and Butterfly Conservation (£6.1m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 95%, investments 3.0% and donations and legacies 1.1%. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 1.4%. Reserves of £5.7m would cover about 12 months of spending at that rate. It employed 41 people.