The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Limited
Analysis
The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Croydon. It was registered in April 1981, 45 years ago. Its declared purposes cover religious activities, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01529484). It says it acts as an umbrella or resource body.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Limited reported income of £6.5m and spending of £4.9m, leaving 25% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £7.6m to £6.5m (-14%), an average of -3.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 119%. Over the whole period it spent 70% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Limited sits at the 99th 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 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Chabad Lubavitch UK (£6.5m), Church Revitalisation Trust (£6.6m) and Kingsway International Christian Centre (£6.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 24% and investments 20%. Charitable activities took 59% of spending and raising funds 3.7%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.9m. Reserves of £19.7m would cover about 48 months of spending at that rate. It employed 8 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.1%
- Charitable activities 24%
- Investments 20%
- Other 56%
In the charity's own words
Its object is to advance the Christian religion in accordance with the doctrine, principles and usages of the United Reformed Church, particularly in the Southern Synod.It has achieved this by continuing to act as Corporate Trustee and Agent for the Southern Synod of The United Reformed Church by holding properties and assets as nominee and handling income and expenditure.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Chabad Lubavitch UK | London | £6.5m |
| Church Revitalisation Trust | London | £6.6m |
| Kingsway International Christian Centre | Kent | £6.5m |
| International Fellowship of Evangelical Students | Oxford | £6.6m |