OpenCharities

The British Council

Country
England & Wales
Charity number
209131
Status
Registered
Reporting
Filed late The latest return was filed 54 days late, on March 26, 2026. Filing history
Registered
Jan. 3, 1963
Legal form
Other

Address

Address
1 Redman Place
Stratford
London
United Kingdom
E20 1JQ

Activities

The British Council creates friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with. We reach millions of people across the world, working with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society.

Objects: The Objects For Which The British Council Is Established And Incorporated Are To Advance, For The Public Benefit, Any Purpose Which Is Exclusively Charitable And Which Shall:(a) Promote Cultural Relationships Between The People Of The United Kingdom And Other Countries;(b) Develop A Wider Knowledge Of The English Language; And(c) Encourage Educational Co-Operation Between The United Kingdom And Other Countries, Support The Advancement Of United Kingdom Education And Education Standards Overseas, And Otherwise Promote Education.

Classification

How
Makes Grants To Individuals, Makes Grants To Organisations, Provides Services, Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body, Other Charitable Activities
What
Education/training, Overseas Aid/famine Relief, Arts/culture/heritage/science, Other Charitable Purposes
Who
The General Public/mankind

Geography

Country
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burma, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo (Democratic Republic), Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Norway, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad And Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Finances

Period end Filed Income Expenditure Assets Employees
March 31, 2025 March 26, 202654 days late £1,010,444,269 £1,053,798,262 £304,092,162 9,446
March 31, 2024 March 28, 202556 days late £989,335,930 £1,054,737,848 £333,445,822 9,490
March 31, 2023 March 21, 202450 days late £873,334,827 £925,158,978 £401,752,837 9,209
March 31, 2022 Jan. 30, 2023On time £896,655,974 £942,310,549 £447,469,268 9,861
March 31, 2021 March 31, 202259 days late £924,965,472 £1,015,114,434 £332,570,351 11,131

Trustees

Name Appointed
Dr Paul Thompson CBE (Chair) Jan. 4, 2024
Alfred Yaw Oduro Nsarkoh May 13, 2025
David Andrew Thompson Todd May 13, 2025
Desmond Patrick Neil Wigan CVO OBE Sept. 30, 2025
Dr David John Lefevre Oct. 12, 2021
Kate Marsh May 28, 2025
Kavita Puri Sept. 1, 2026
Mariella Frostrup May 13, 2025
Paul Jonathan Woodgates Sept. 11, 2023
Professor Wendy Cowan Alexander Oct. 1, 2022
Richard Mark Hookway Oct. 12, 2021

Linked charities

  • British Council Benevolent Fund (209131-1)
  • Count Patrice De Zogheb (209131-2)