Rothamsted Research Limited

Analysis

Rothamsted Research Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Harpenden. It was registered in September 1989, 37 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, which this site groups under education and training. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02393175). It says it sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Rothamsted Research Limited reported income of £29.3m and spending of £34.1m, spending 117% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £35.5m to £29.3m (-18%), an average of -4.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2025, when income dropped by 26%. Over the whole period it spent 91% of the income it received.

Among 21,402 England and Wales charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, Rothamsted Research 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 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Incorporated Bishop's Stortford College Association (£29.2m), The London Orphan Asylum (Reed's School) (£29.6m) and Headington School Oxford Limited (£28.8m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 96%, trading 2.8% and investments 1.3%. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 1.3%. Reserves of £17.9m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 376 people.

Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.