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The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers

Also known as: The Royal Naval Benevolent Society, The Royal Navy Officers' Charity

Founded in 1739 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1838, the Society grants financial relief to officers and former officers of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS and their Reserves, and including spouses, former spouses, and families in need. In the last year grants just in excess of £500,000 were made. Additionally many hours are spent signposting, offering advice or a friendly ear.

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Activities & Mission

Founded in 1739 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1838, the Society grants financial relief to officers and former officers of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS and their Reserves, and including spouses, former spouses, and families in need. In the last year grants just in excess of £500,000 were made. Additionally many hours are spent signposting, offering advice or a friendly ear.

Grants

The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.

Gives grants to
individuals
Total spending (2025)
£1,010,662
Only charities with income over £500,000 file a separate grants figure.
Who it helps
other defined groups
What it supports
the prevention or relief of poverty

As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.

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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
£1,745,423
Latest Expenditure
£1,010,662

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 56.4%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 97.3%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 5.2%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £1,030,065
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £0
Investments £715,358
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £983,562
Raising Funds £27,100
Governance £25,045
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.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£1,745,423
£1,010,662£983,562£19,465,255£375,0005 / 0
2024
£927,932
£808,679£786,347£17,514,807£40,0005 / 0
2023
£724,173
£701,279£681,493£16,732,149£250,0003 / 0
2022
£1,018,328
£711,344£688,023£16,274,124£250,0003 / 0
2021
£708,449
£725,672£667,161£17,121,434£250,0004 / 1

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers

What does The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers do?

Founded in 1739 and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1838, the Society grants financial relief to officers and former officers of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS and their Reserves, and including spouses, former spouses, and families in need. In the last year grants just in excess of £500,000 were made. Additionally many hours are spent signposting, offering advice or a friendly ear.

How much income did The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers report in 2025?

The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers reported total income of £1.75m and reported expenditure of £1.01m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers registered as a charity?

The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22 September 1962 as charity number 207405. It has been registered for 64 years.

Who runs The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers?

The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers is governed by a board of 12 trustees. The chair of trustees is Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Kyte CB. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers operate?

The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers a registered charity?

Yes — The Royal Naval Benevolent Society For Officers is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 207405.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Registration Date
22 September 1962
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
207405
Charity Number
207405

Trustees

Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Kyte CB Chair
Andrew Aspden
Antonia Simpson
COMMANDER BEN HUGHES RN
Commander Penelope Graham RN
Commodore Philip Thicknesse
Also governs 1 other charity
Dr Ian Fyfe-Green
Also governs 1 other charity
Dr Joanne Keogh OBE
Lieutenant Commander William Hairsine RN
Lieutenant Samuel Williams RN
Surgeon Commodore Stuart Millar
VENERABLE MARTIN POLL

Also Known As

  • The Royal Naval Benevolent Society
  • The Royal Navy Officers' Charity

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
2 November 2026
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