Somerset House Trust

Also known as: Somerset House Limited

Somerset House Trust was established in 1997 to enhance the education of the public by the provision of a centre for the arts and to maintain the buildings for the benefit of the local and international community as an example of English national heritage. At its heart lies a creative community of innovative businesses and social enterprises which contribute to the vibrancy and energy of the site.

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Activities & Mission

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.

Region

London

Financial Information

Latest Income

£25,257,000

Latest Expenditure

£27,033,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 94.3%

% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 56% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M (sample: 222). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 88.1%

% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 38% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 1.4%

Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 67% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £1,099,000

Charitable Activities £18,138,000

Other Trading £5,645,000

Investments £358,000

Other Income £17,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £23,809,000

Raising Funds £238,000

Governance £150,000

Grants to Institutions £0

Other Expenditure £2,986,000

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	£25,257,000	£27,033,000	£23,809,000	£78,338,000	£1,954,000	125 / 60
2024	£25,510,000	£24,933,000	£22,229,000	£80,114,000	£1,979,000	114 / 69
2023	£21,187,000	£22,555,000	£20,338,000	£79,537,000	£3,476,000	108 / 72
2022	£16,954,000	£17,701,000	£15,682,000	£80,905,000	£3,280,000	83 / 107
2021	£11,948,000	£12,594,000	£11,384,000	£81,652,000	£3,037,000	84 / 95

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Somerset House Trust

What does Somerset House Trust do?

How much income did Somerset House Trust report in 2025?

Somerset House Trust reported total income of £25.26m and reported expenditure of £27.03m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Somerset House Trust?

Somerset House Trust has a program ratio of 94.3%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 56% of UK Charitable activities charities with income over £10M (sample of 222 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Somerset House Trust registered as a charity?

Somerset House Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 29 July 1997 as charity number 1063640. It has been registered for 29 years.

Who runs Somerset House Trust?

Somerset House Trust is governed by a board of 14 trustees. The chair of trustees is Baroness Gail Ruth Rebuck. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Somerset House Trust operate?

Somerset House Trust operates in London, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is Somerset House Trust a registered charity?

Yes — Somerset House Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1063640.