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Absolute Return For Kids (ark)

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark incubates, launches and scales ventures that share our mission and values.

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Activities & Mission

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark incubates, launches and scales ventures that share our mission and values.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£6,410,000
Latest Expenditure
£7,486,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 106.1%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 90.8%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 12.9%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £5,707,000
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £0
Investments £365,000
Other Income £338,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £6,801,000
Raising Funds £685,000
Governance £277,000
Grants to Institutions £3,621,000
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£6,410,000
£7,486,000£6,801,000£4,023,000£4,023,00031 / 0
2024
£31,018,000
£32,351,000£31,500,000£3,616,000£3,616,00032 / 0
2023
£25,363,000
£28,681,000£27,890,000£2,983,000£1,929,00042 / 0
2022
£24,388,000
£24,150,000£23,265,000£35,035,000£35,035,000110 / 0
2021
£35,012,000
£25,305,000£23,959,000£32,615,000£32,600,000105 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Absolute Return For Kids (ark)

What does Absolute Return For Kids (ark) do?

Ark is an education charity that exists to make sure that all children, regardless of their background, have access to a great education and real choices in life. Ark incubates, launches and scales ventures that share our mission and values.

How much income did Absolute Return For Kids (ark) report in 2025?

Absolute Return For Kids (ark) reported total income of £6.41m and reported expenditure of £7.49m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was Absolute Return For Kids (ark) registered as a charity?

Absolute Return For Kids (ark) was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 9 January 2003 as charity number 1095322. It has been registered for 23 years.

Who runs Absolute Return For Kids (ark)?

Absolute Return For Kids (ark) is governed by a board of 4 trustees. The chair of trustees is Ian Gerald Patrick Wace. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Absolute Return For Kids (ark) operate?

Absolute Return For Kids (ark) operates across 4 areas: India, South Africa, Uganda and England.

Is Absolute Return For Kids (ark) a registered charity?

Yes — Absolute Return For Kids (ark) is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1095322.

Details

Address
1 Edcity Walk
Edcity
LONDON
W12 7TF
Registration Date
9 January 2003
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
3996816
Charity Number
1095322

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Trustees

Ian Gerald Patrick Wace Chair
Also governs 1 other charity
Anthony Peter Clake
LORD STANLEY FINK
Also governs 2 other charities
SIR PAUL RODERICK CLUCAS MARSHALL
Also governs 1 other charity

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
30 July 2026
Report a data issue