Finance Score: -5
Governance Score: 8
Support Score: 18
  • Low unrestricted reserves: -2
  • Reasonable growth: +1
  • Multiple Deficits: -2
  • Fundraising costs high: -2
  • 12+ Trustees: -1
  • Good trustee age range: +3
  • Dynamic board: +3
  • Gender balanced board: +3
  • Large volunteer base +5
  • Overall weighted support: +13
Overall GiG Score: 21 ?

MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

The Marine Conservation Society fights for the future of our ocean through people powered action, with science on our side. We defend habitats and species, with communities, businesses and governments. Together, we work towards a cleaner, better protected, healthier ocean. For seas full of life, where nature flourishes and people thrive.
Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

  • This charity has been very successful in attracting volunteers relative to its size
  • There has been reasonable growth in spending over the last 3 years relative to the previous period
  • A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers
  • The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age and gender and dynamic in terms of composition

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

  • Why are there 18 trustees whereas the Charities Commission recommends a maximum of 12?
  • Over half the Board have joined recently

Financial issues to consider:

  • Unrestricted reserves appear to be dangerously low at the latest year end
  • On several occasions in recent years income has been less than spending
  • Fundraising costs are high relative to funds raised

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?
Sources of Income ?
Y/E Income
£k
Spending
£k
Surplus/
Deficit £k
Fundraising
Cost £k
Total
Funds £k
Unrestricted
Funds £k
Mths
Rsrvs
Staff Volun-
teers
31/03/23£4,666£5,566£-900£967£1,579£1,1242.411018,548
31/03/22£4,356£4,767£-410£875£2,479£1,6394.19220,177
31/03/21£4,254£4,154£100£885£2,889£1,5254.47826,647
31/03/20£5,219£3,611£1,608£995£2,789£1,1153.77126,647
31/03/19£3,834£4,136£-302£1,220£1,181£8572.57329,259
31/03/18£2,741£3,139£-397£659£1,464£1,1144.3660
31/03/17£2,460£3,237£-777£640£1,886£1,3565580
31/03/16£2,889£2,631£258£525£2,581£1,1615.3540
31/03/15£2,206£2,399£-193£491£2,351£1,2356.2500
31/03/14£2,035£2,469£-435£512£2,498£1,2286570
31/03/13£1,816£2,655£-840£485£2,918£1,1945.4580
31/03/12£4,879£2,458£2,421£604£3,690£1,1475.6470
31/03/11£2,177£1,855£322£422£1,255£1,0476.8340
31/03/10£1,342£1,428£-86£270£932£7065.9300
31/03/09£1,430£1,199£231£181£1,019£8108.1270
31/03/08£1,211£1,124£87£174£788£6136.6240
31/03/07*£971£1,001£-30£245£701£6387.6240
31/03/06£1,020£916£104n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/05£805£686£119n/an/an/an/an/an/a
31/03/04£729£696£33n/an/an/an/an/an/a

Financial Ratios
Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 23.5%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 17.4%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 2%
Highest pay band: £80,000-£90,000
Liabilities/Assets: 31%
Liabilities/Income: 15%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 71%
Reserves/Spending: 2.4 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 3 months
Quick Ratio: 2.1
Asset Split ?
Balance Sheet History
Established: 33 years

www.mcsuk.org

info@mcsuk.org

01989566017

Charity Commission for England and WalesCompanies HouseYouTube
UN SDGs
?
How you can help
Listed activities
  • Animals
  • Arts/Culture/Heritage/Science
  • Education/Training
  • Environment/Conservation/Heritage
GiG Classification
  • Environment conservation advocacy
How it operates
  • Provides advocacy/advice/information
  • Provides services
  • Sponsors or undertakes research
Where it operates
  • Scotland, Throughout England And Wales, Turks And Caicos Islands,
Who it helps
  • The General Public/Mankind

Who supports them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Major supporters in last 5 years
Postcode Planet Trust£2,100,000
National Lottery Heritage Fund£385,800
Esmee Fairbairn£233,378
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs£187,617
John Ellerman Foundation£135,000
DCMS£124,200
Garfield Weston Foundation£65,000
Specific Donations
Amount When
Months
To be used for
Dulverton Trust - MCS Core funding 2023/24
£35,000 07/06/2023
MCS Core funding 2023/24
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£35,000 06/04/2023
Hiraeth Yn Y Môr (Longing in the Sea)
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
£193,378 22/02/2023
Towards project costs related to shaping the environmental future of UK aquaculture at a critical juncture, when the industry is poised for significant growth
Postcode Planet Trust - Regular Grant 2023
£1,100,000 07/02/2023
Regular unrestricted award
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to The Marine Conservation Society
£244,000 22/12/2022
#NNF2 Hiraeth?yn?y Môr (HYYM) - Advancing Ocean Literacy in North East Wales through marine citizenship
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - DPLUS173 Veta N Wade
£26,302 01/05/2022
Projects that aim to protect the unique biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories
Postcode Planet Trust - Regular Grant 2022
£1,000,000 10/02/2022
Regular unrestricted award
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - DPLUS136: Anguilla Shark Conservation: social acceptance, spatial protection and legislative reform
£108,004 27/10/2021
improved chemical and mechanical treatment. The project will ensure local capacity is built to deliver those
DCMS - GRCF2021: Inspiring blue recovery through connecting people with the ocean
£124,200 21/06/2021
Building on almost 40 years experience, MCS will significantly scale up participation in volunteering, marine citizen science and youth engagement, connecting people with and inspiring them to take action to protect, our marine heritage. Three new ....more
Dulverton Trust - Beachwatch - clean beaches, safe volunteers - Big Give Green Match Fund 2021
£10,000 09/06/2021
Beachwatch - clean beaches, safe volunteers - Big Give Green Match Fund 2021
John Ellerman Foundation - A new Blue Carbon Economist post within MCS at senior scientist level, for a three-year period.
£135,000 28/01/2021
Towards costs of a new Blue Carbon Economist post to deliver a portfolio of ocean-based climate solutions and empower communities in blue carbon recovery action.
National Lottery Heritage Fund - Grant to Marine Conservation Society
£141,800 18/08/2020
COVID19: Marine Conservation Society
Garfield Weston Foundation - Main Grants award
£30,000 14/05/2020
The Welsh Programme
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Marine Conservation Society MCS
£40,000 12/05/2020
6
towards unrestricted core costs as a COVID-19 Fast Response grant
Seafarers UK - Grant to Marine Conservation Society
£10,000 02/04/2020
Grant funding for an education programme aimed at integrating local fishing practice, culture, heritage and marine conservation into North Norfolk school teaching.
Seafarers UK - Grant to Marine Conservation Society
£10,000 02/04/2020
Grant funding for an education programme aimed at integrating local fishing practice, culture, heritage and marine conservation into North Norfolk school teaching.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - GRANT: DPLUS111- Building Resilient, Participatory Management of Marine Biodiversity in Hurricane-prone BVI
£53,311 01/04/2020
BVI’s turtle populations face various threats, compounded by 2017’s catastrophic hurricane impacts. This project will support the recovery of BVI’s turtle populations and key habitats (reefs and seagrass meadows),while alleviating growing social ....more
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£85,000 21/11/2019
24
to support Agents of Change initiative to replicate and scale over the next two years.
Dulverton Trust - Core funding towards marine conservation
£100,000 12/06/2019
Core funding towards marine conservation
Seafarers UK - Grant to Marine Conservation Society
£10,000 04/04/2019
Grant funding to develop a new curriculum-linked education programme for primary schools that uses local ‘Fishing Ambassadors’ to raise awareness of local fishing practice, culture, heritage and marine conservation awareness in North Norfolk ....more
Seafarers UK - Grant to Marine Conservation Society
£10,000 04/04/2019
Grant funding to develop a new curriculum-linked education programme for primary schools that uses local ‘Fishing Ambassadors’ to raise awareness of local fishing practice, culture, heritage and marine conservation awareness in North Norfolk ....more
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£20,000 30/01/2019
To support a six-month extension to the Agents of Change pilot in order to maximise ooportunities arising in 2019, assess impact and develop a strategy for delivering Agents of Change as a transformative national initiative.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£164,400 09/01/2019
To contribute to core costs for the Marine CoLABoration coordinator to support delivery on the Marine CoLAB 2019-21 strategy, plus some operational and governance costs.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Marine Conservation Society MCS
£240,000 06/11/2018
36
Towards the salary and other costs of the Chief Executive during the first phase of a new strategy to place the organisation at the centre of conservation efforts to restore UK seas.
John Ellerman Foundation - salary and costs of a UKOT Conservation Officer
£153,000 26/07/2018
36
Towards the salary of a Caribbean UKOTs Conservation Officer to help develop environmental and social resilience in the region's communities
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£80,000 22/03/2018
Create a campaign called 'Blue Heart' that will use Community Voice Method (CVM) to capture and communicate the importance of the ocean to a range of people with varying values across the UK.
Sussex Community Foundation - Grant to Marine Conservation Society
£9,900 16/03/2018
11
Marine Conservation Society protects our seas, shores and marine life. Funding was provided to help them raise awareness of Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone through their website and permanent interactive signs along the seafront.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£6,000 19/12/2017
Building on the success of the BBC's Blue Planet II series, this will go towards the cost of the #BluePlanetChampion campaign, which provides a high-profile collaborative platform for ocean NGOs and others wishing to join in a public call for ....more
John Ellerman Foundation - "Blue Panet II - Turning viewrs into champions" project
£6,000 30/11/2017
6
Towards a joint initiative by MCS, Greenpeace and International Programme on the State of the Ocean to catalyse personal and political action on marine conservation following Blue Planet II through a newspaper advertisement and associated social ....more
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Marine Conservation Society MCS
£15,000 27/11/2017
6
Towards the costs of a communications campaign between a number of marine conservation organisations to secure greater commitment from the UK Government towards protection of the seas.
Nesta - AC00590
£21,095 07/03/2017
5
Join In Stay In programme grant to THE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Grant Ref AC00590
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£20,000 21/12/2016
To support participation in the Marine CoLABoration in phase two of the initiative (2017-2018).
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£100,000 15/09/2016
To build a closer strategic alignment among Marine CoLABoration members of existing work with UK coastal communities. To identify, empower and connect new local advocates for marine conservation initiatives. To promote a new understanding of the ....more
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£100,000 15/09/2016
To build a closer strategic alignment among Marine CoLABoration members of existing work with UK coastal communities. To identify, empower and connect new local advocates for marine conservation initiatives. To promote a new understanding of the ....more
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£57,500 01/06/2016
24
To provide support for the coordination and development of the Marine CoLABoration over the next two years
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch - Marine Conservation Society
£57,500 01/06/2016
24
To provide support for the coordination and development of the Marine CoLABoration over the next two years
Dulverton Trust - Core Programme Funding
£100,000 10/06/2015
Core Programme Funding
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Marine Conservation Society MCS
£63,843 16/03/2011
Towards membership development and research into possible office relocation.
Esmee Fairbairn - Grant to Marine Conservation Society MCS
£50,000 25/06/2008
12
Towards Project costs Towards the launch and first year of the major litter champions campaign to promote local practical action to tackle the increasing levels of marine litter.
Show more rows

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Trustees (18)
Current Trustees appointed
Gender Split
Based on 16/18 persons

Age Range of Trustees: 29-65
  • AMANDA JANE NOBBS Appointed: 2020, Occupation: Local Government Boundary Commissioner For England
  • DEBORAH MAHON Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Relationship Manager
  • HELENA THERNSTROM Appointed: 2021, Occupation: Head Of Legal, Asset & Invoice Finance
  • JAMES SIMON EDWARD ARNELL Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Private Equity Fund Manager
  • JESSICA KATE MONTGOMERY Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Director
  • JONATHAN HALL Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Head Of Uk Overseas Territories,Rspb
  • JOYCE LINDA LORIGAN Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Evp Communications
  • MARK HAVILAND Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Commercial Director
  • MARTIN KONSTANTIN KOEHRING Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Futurist & Blue Economy Consultant
  • POLLY ROSE BURNS Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Head Of Fisheries Standard Policy
  • RAJAH ALEXIS UNWIN ROY Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Marketing Manager
  • REBECCA RODNEY Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Vice President
  • SETH RICHARDSON Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Management Consultant
  • SIMON BROCKINGTON DR Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Civil Servant
  • STEFANO TIRATELLI Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Company Director
  • SUSAN HELEN RONALDSON Appointed: 2022, Occupation: Director
  • WADHAM ST JOHN DOWNING Appointed: 2024, Occupation: Retired Cfo
  • WILLIAM JOSEPH OULTON Appointed: 2019, Occupation: Global Head, Responsible Investment
Legal constitution
  • Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 28/08/1991, number: 1004005
  • Registered at Companies House on 23/10/1990, number: 02550966
Gift Aid
  • Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid
Fundraising Regulator
First registered: 09/01/2016, current status: Large charity (levy paid)
Policies in force
  • Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
  • Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
  • Complaints handling
  • Complaints policy and procedures
  • Conflicting interests
  • Financial reserves policy and procedures
  • Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
  • Internal risk management policy and procedures
  • Investing charity funds policy and procedures
  • Investment
  • Paying staff
  • Risk management
  • Safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
  • Social media policy and procedures
  • Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
  • Trustee expenses policy and procedures
  • Volunteer management
Filing Record
20 returns made; AR07: 126 days late,
Main office

Overross House
Ross Park
ROSS-ON-WYE
HEREFORDSHIRE
HR9 7US

Objectives

3. THE OBJECTS OF THE COMPANY (THE OBJECTS) ARE TO UNDERTAKE AND PROMOTE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC: 3.1 THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, IMPROVEMENT AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE AND FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING ASSOCIATED LAND, SHORELINE AND STRUCTURES. (ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT MEANS USING, CONSERVING AND ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY'S RESOURCES SO THAT ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES, ON WHICH LIFE DEPENDS, ARE MAINTAINED, AND THE TOTAL QUALITY OF LIFE, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, CAN BE INCREASED). 3.2 ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC, IN ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, IMPROVEMENT AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE, COASTAL AND FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT, AND IN RELATION TO CONNECTED HUMAN HEALTH AND OTHER BENEFITS, AND THE UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OCEAN TO HUMAN LIFE. 3.3 PROMOTE, ASSIST, UNDERTAKE AND COMMISSION RESEARCH INTO MATTERS RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, IMPROVEMENT AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE, COASTAL AND FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT AND IN RELATION TO CONNECTED HUMAN HEALTH AND OTHER BENEFIT. NOTHING IN THE ARTICLES SHALL AUTHORISE AN APPLICATION OF THE PROPERTY OF THE CHARITY FOR PURPOSES WHICH ARE NOT CHARITABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 7 OF THE CHARITIES AND TRUSTEE INVESTMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2005 AND/OR SECTION 2 OF THE CHARITIES ACT (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2008.

Defined Area of Benefit:

NOT DEFINED. IN PRACTICE NATIONALLY

Data Sources

Charity Commission for England and Wales
360 Giving
Charizone

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