Wessex Archaeology Limited

Analysis

Wessex Archaeology Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Salisbury. It was registered in September 1983, 43 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01712772). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Wessex Archaeology Limited reported income of £27.7m and spending of £26.6m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £21.3m to £27.7m (+30%), an average of +6.8% a year. Over the whole period it spent 97% 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, Wessex Archaeology Limited 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 Oxford Archaeology Limited (£27.6m), Wales Millennium Centre (£28.1m) and English National Opera (£26.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 100%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £8.9m would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 387 people.