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The British Red Cross Society

Notable UK charity

Also known as: British Red Cross

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies.We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

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Activities & Mission

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies.We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

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 39 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£287,100,000
Latest Expenditure
£310,300,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 82.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 44% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income over £10M (sample: 62). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 76.7%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 27% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 24.2%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 26% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £133,300,000
Charitable Activities £108,800,000
Other Trading £39,300,000
Investments £4,700,000
Other Income £1,000,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £238,000,000
Raising Funds £72,300,000
Governance £2,900,000
Grants to Institutions £82,900,000
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 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£287,100,000
£310,300,000£238,000,000£253,900,000£64,500,0003286 / 10200
2023
£330,600,000
£322,700,000£245,500,000£271,400,000£55,900,0003548 / 10500
2022
£439,000,000
£366,700,000£300,100,000£256,900,000£48,800,0003353 / 12000
2021
£226,500,000
£234,700,000£183,500,000£198,100,000£48,300,0003355 / 12000
2020
£305,900,000
£295,300,000£245,900,000£199,400,000£51,900,0003356 / 13919

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The British Red Cross Society

What does The British Red Cross Society do?

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies.We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

How much income did The British Red Cross Society report in 2024?

The British Red Cross Society reported total income of £287.10m and reported expenditure of £310.30m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The British Red Cross Society?

The British Red Cross Society has a program ratio of 82.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 44% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income over £10M (sample of 62 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The British Red Cross Society registered as a charity?

The British Red Cross Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 21 March 1963 as charity number 220949. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs The British Red Cross Society?

The British Red Cross Society is governed by a board of 12 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The British Red Cross Society operate?

The British Red Cross Society operates across 39 areas, including Afghanistan, Anguilla, Bangladesh and 36 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The British Red Cross Society a registered charity?

Yes — The British Red Cross Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 220949.

Details

Address
BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY
44 MOORFIELDS
LONDON
EC2Y 9AL
Registration Date
21 March 1963
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
220949
Charity Number
220949

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Trustees

Alan House QFSM
Also governs 1 other charity
Carl David Cowling
Dennis Dunn MBE JP DL
Gabrielle Inglis
Helen Frances Bennett
Howard Ashley Bell
Katie Igras
Kirsty Robeson
Louise Halpin
MARK PETER BEDDY
Sir John Eaton Holmes
Also governs 1 other charity
Yaseer Ahmed

Also Known As

  • British Red Cross

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue