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The Oxford Literary Festival

The objective of the charity is to advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and running of a literary festival in Oxford.

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Activities & Mission

The objective of the charity is to advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and running of a literary festival in Oxford.

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.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£848,644
Latest Expenditure
£612,350

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 72.2%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 100.0%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 0.0%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £458,172
Charitable Activities £390,014
Other Trading £0
Investments £158
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £612,350
Raising Funds £0
Governance £0
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 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.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£848,644
£612,350£612,350-£137,625£02 / 25
2024
£505,242
£539,418£539,418-£373,619£00 / 25
2023
£550,294
£539,584£539,584-£339,442£02 / 25
2022
£420,151
£443,2970 / 25
2021
£28,623
£84,1100 / 6

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Oxford Literary Festival

What does The Oxford Literary Festival do?

The objective of the charity is to advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and running of a literary festival in Oxford.

How much income did The Oxford Literary Festival report in 2025?

The Oxford Literary Festival reported total income of £849k and reported expenditure of £612k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The Oxford Literary Festival registered as a charity?

The Oxford Literary Festival was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 26 March 2009 as charity number 1128820. It has been registered for 17 years.

Who runs The Oxford Literary Festival?

The Oxford Literary Festival is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is Jarl Michael Severn. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Oxford Literary Festival operate?

The Oxford Literary Festival operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The Oxford Literary Festival a registered charity?

Yes — The Oxford Literary Festival is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1128820.

Details

Address
c/o Gravita Oxford LLP
First Floor
Park Central
40-41 Park End Street
OXFORD
Registration Date
26 March 2009
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
4044765
Charity Number
1128820

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Trustees

Jarl Michael Severn Chair
Anthony James Moxon Lowther-Pinkerton
Ben Okri
Louisa Treger
Paul Thomas Richard Simons
Professor Henry Woudhuysen
Also governs 1 other charity
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
30 July 2026
Report a data issue