Laidlaw Opera Trust
Also known as: Laidlaw Foundation, The Irvine Laidlaw Foundation, The Laidlaw Foundation
Laidlaw Opera Trust champions live music as a uniquely thrilling art form accessible to all. We invest in opera companies and houses who believe that opera should be part of everyones cultural capital. Through strategic support and grants, we aim to expand Operas reach and self-sufficiency.
Activities & Mission
Laidlaw Opera Trust champions live music as a uniquely thrilling art form accessible to all. We invest in opera companies and houses who believe that opera should be part of everyones cultural capital. Through strategic support and grants, we aim to expand Operas reach and self-sufficiency.
Grants
Laidlaw Opera Trust is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Grants paid (2025)
- £2,731,846
- Who it helps
- children and young people, other charities or voluntary bodies and the general public
- What it supports
- general charitable purposes, education and training and arts, culture, heritage, or science
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
Is this your charity?
Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.
Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profileAreas 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.
Show all 10 areas of operation Hide areas of operation
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £3,083,117 | £3,023,454 | £3,023,454 | -£644,723 | £0 | 1 / 2 |
| 2024 | £5,264,496 | £2,446,790 | £2,446,790 | -£704,386 | £0 | 2 / 0 |
| 2023 | £10,850,965 | £9,619,367 | £9,619,367 | -£3,525,947 | £0 | 3 / 2 |
| 2022 | £8,161,915 | £7,764,326 | £7,764,326 | -£4,680,746 | £0 | 4 / 2 |
| 2021 | £10,249,163 | £16,357,772 | £16,278,853 | -£5,078,335 | £0 | 2 / 2 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Laidlaw Opera Trust
What does Laidlaw Opera Trust do?
Laidlaw Opera Trust champions live music as a uniquely thrilling art form accessible to all. We invest in opera companies and houses who believe that opera should be part of everyones cultural capital. Through strategic support and grants, we aim to expand Operas reach and self-sufficiency.
How much income did Laidlaw Opera Trust report in 2025?
Laidlaw Opera Trust reported total income of £3.08m and reported expenditure of £3.02m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
When was Laidlaw Opera Trust registered as a charity?
Laidlaw Opera Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 19 October 2017 as charity number 1175245. It has been registered for 9 years.
Who runs Laidlaw Opera Trust?
Laidlaw Opera Trust is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is Lord IRVINE LAIDLAW. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Laidlaw Opera Trust operate?
Laidlaw Opera Trust operates across 10 areas, including Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland and 7 others. The full list is shown on its profile.
Is Laidlaw Opera Trust a registered charity?
Yes — Laidlaw Opera Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1175245.
Is this your charity?
Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.
Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profileDetails
Registry Information
Trustees
Also Known As
- Laidlaw Foundation
- The Irvine Laidlaw Foundation
- The Laidlaw Foundation
- Laidlaw Opera Trust
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated