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National Oceanography Centre

Notable UK charity

Also known as: Noc

NOC is a marine science research and technology institution which undertakes integrated sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. NOC contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the ocean and support education and training of scientists, engineers and marine professionals and engaging the public with the science of the ocean and its implications.

Activities & Mission

NOC is a marine science research and technology institution which undertakes integrated sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. NOC contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the ocean and support education and training of scientists, engineers and marine professionals and engaging the public with the science of the ocean and its implications.

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.

Show all 42 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£86,213,000
Latest Expenditure
£81,640,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 91.7%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 59% of UK Research charities with income over £10M (sample: 98). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 96.8%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 58% of UK Research charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 3.8%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 50% of UK Research charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £77,527,000
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £7,206,000
Investments £1,418,000
Other Income £62,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £79,015,000
Raising Funds £2,625,000
Governance £464,000
Grants to Institutions £0
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 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£86,213,000
£81,640,000£79,015,000£31,846,000£19,250,000722 / 0
2023
£85,401,000
£85,202,000£82,574,000£27,273,000£17,649,000673 / 0
2022
£78,717,000
£74,093,000£72,935,000£27,074,000£27,074,000647 / 0
2021
£67,141,000
£66,760,000£66,318,000£23,734,000£23,734,000638 / 0
2020
£80,938,000
£57,585,000£57,191,000£23,353,000£5,387,000653 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about National Oceanography Centre

What does National Oceanography Centre do?

NOC is a marine science research and technology institution which undertakes integrated sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. NOC contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the ocean and support education and training of scientists, engineers and marine professionals and engaging the public with the science of the ocean and its implications.

How much income did National Oceanography Centre report in 2024?

National Oceanography Centre reported total income of £86.21m and reported expenditure of £81.64m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is National Oceanography Centre?

National Oceanography Centre has a program ratio of 91.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 59% of UK Research charities with income over £10M (sample of 98 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was National Oceanography Centre registered as a charity?

National Oceanography Centre was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 11 September 2019 as charity number 1185265. It has been registered for 7 years.

Who runs National Oceanography Centre?

National Oceanography Centre is governed by a board of 9 trustees. The chair of trustees is David Jeremy Darroch. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does National Oceanography Centre operate?

National Oceanography Centre operates across 42 areas, including Antigua And Barbuda, Argentina, Austria and 39 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is National Oceanography Centre a registered charity?

Yes — National Oceanography Centre is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1185265.

Details

Address
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
WATERFRONT CAMPUS
EUROPEAN WAY
SOUTHAMPTON
SO14 3ZH
Registration Date
11 September 2019
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
5130070
Charity Number
1185265

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Trustees

David Jeremy Darroch Chair
Clare Mary Petre Harbord
Also governs 1 other charity
David Keith McSweeney
Also governs 1 other charity
John Francis Clarke
Professor Lisa Maureen Collins
Professor Sir Ian Lamont Boyd
Rebecca Jane Munro
Sir MICHAEL DIXON KBE BSC
Also governs 1 other charity

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • Noc

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue