The British Thoracic Society

Analysis

The British Thoracic Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 1982, 44 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and the advancement of health or saving of lives, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01645201). It says it provides advocacy/advice/information, acts as an umbrella or resource body and other charitable activities.

In the financial year ending June 2025, The British Thoracic Society reported income of £3.2m and spending of £3.3m, spending 105% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2021 to June 2025, income grew from £2.3m to £3.2m (+38%), an average of +8.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 25%. Over the whole period it spent 101% of the income it received.

Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, The British Thoracic Society sits at the 95th percentile: it is larger than about 95% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Itzchok Meyer Cymerman Trust Limited (£3.2m), Kent Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (£3.2m) and Royal United Hospital Charitable Fund (£3.2m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 97% and investments 3.0%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 1.3%. Reserves of £7.2m would cover about 26 months of spending at that rate. It employed 18 people.