The Association of British Theatre Technicians
Analysis
The Association of British Theatre Technicians is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in April 1981, 45 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01231725). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information and acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Association of British Theatre Technicians reported income of £907k and spending of £761k, spending 84% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £278k to £907k (+227%), an average of +34% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 111%. Over the whole period it spent 90% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Association of British Theatre Technicians sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 94% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include NK Theatre Arts (£905k), Siobhan Davies Dance Company (£908k) and New Brewery Arts Limited (£904k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from trading 83%, charitable activities 14%, donations and legacies 1.9% and investments 1.4%. Charitable activities took 44% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £659k would cover about 10 months of spending at that rate. It employed 4 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 1.9%
- Charitable activities 14%
- Trading 83%
- Investments 1.4%
In the charity's own words
The association is dependent upon voluntary help in advocating high technical standards for theatres, publications, meetings, conferences, post-entry training, volunteer technical committees, visits, liaison with government and other organisations, research demonstrations, exhibitions, the provision of information and the exchange of ideas and address issues about theatre planning and safety.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| NK Theatre Arts | Cheshire | £905k |
| Siobhan Davies Dance Company | London | £908k |
| New Brewery Arts Limited | Gloucestershire | £904k |
| Backlit | Nottingham | £909k |