Lawes Agricultural Trust

The promotion of original investigation and research for the advancement of the science of agriculture

Activities & Mission

The promotion of original investigation and research for the advancement of the science of agriculture

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.

Local Authority

Hertfordshire Suffolk

Financial Information

Latest Income

£2,862,908

Latest Expenditure

£3,656,667

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 120.6%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 93% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 829). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 94.4%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 36% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 6.7%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 32% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £0

Charitable Activities £2,246,448

Other Trading £1,720

Investments £534,161

Other Income £80,579

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £3,451,560

Raising Funds £205,107

Governance £40,500

Grants to Institutions £613,414

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.

One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.

The Commission record shows these related events on the register:

Asset transfer in in 2020 — Rothamsted Research Association (organisation 298226)
Asset transfer in in 2016 — The Lawes Agricultural Trust (organisation 208228)

Financial Year	Income	Expenditure	Charitable Spending	Net Assets	Reserves	Staff
2025	£2,862,908	£3,656,667	£3,451,560	£28,663,963	£28,663,963	9 / 0
2024	£3,894,767	£3,288,711	£3,095,408	£29,457,722	£29,415,972	8 / 0
2023	£6,372,671	£2,686,568	£2,630,540	£31,650,555	£31,650,555	7 / 0
2022	£2,392,833	£2,362,691	£2,315,567	£27,905,358	£27,905,358	7 / 0
2021	£2,694,856	£2,113,037	£2,075,507	£27,502,333	£2,690,000	5 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Lawes Agricultural Trust

What does Lawes Agricultural Trust do?

The promotion of original investigation and research for the advancement of the science of agriculture

How much income did Lawes Agricultural Trust report in 2025?

Lawes Agricultural Trust reported total income of £2.86m and reported expenditure of £3.66m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Lawes Agricultural Trust?

Lawes Agricultural Trust has a program ratio of 120.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 93% of UK Economic and community development charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 829 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Lawes Agricultural Trust registered as a charity?

Lawes Agricultural Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 12 March 2014 as charity number 1156150. It has been registered for 12 years.

Who runs Lawes Agricultural Trust?

Lawes Agricultural Trust is governed by a board of 8 trustees. The chair of trustees is Professor Quintin McKellar. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Lawes Agricultural Trust operate?

Lawes Agricultural Trust operates across 2 areas: Hertfordshire and Suffolk.

Is Lawes Agricultural Trust a registered charity?

Yes — Lawes Agricultural Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1156150.