Ocean Conservation Trust Limited — Charity Commission profile

01 Identity

Registration and reporting

Registration status: Registered
Reporting status: Submission Received
Charity type: Charitable company
Registered: 1 February 1994
Removed: Not supplied
Company number supplied: 02674910
Financial period: 1 February 2025 – 31 January 2026
Latest income: £7,107,851
Latest expenditure: £7,942,109
Gift Aid: Yes
Owns or uses land: Yes
In administration: No
Insolvent: No
CIO: No

Public contact address: NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM, ROPE WALK, PLYMOUTH, PL4 0LF

Website recorded by the regulator: www.oceanconservationtrust.org (displayed as text)

02 Activities

What the charity does

Advance the education of the public in, and promote the conservation of, living marine and freshwater aquatic organisms by the provision of an aquarium and museum and other programmes of education and research and to disseminate the useful results of such research for the benefit of the public

03 Official extract

Charity Annual Return History

Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2025
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2026
Ar Cycle Reference: AR26
Reporting Due Date: 30 November 2026
Date Annual Return Received: 19 October 2026
Date Accounts Received: 19 October 2026
Total Gross Income: £7,107,851
Total Gross Expenditure: £7,942,109

Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2024
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2025
Ar Cycle Reference: AR25
Reporting Due Date: 30 November 2025
Date Annual Return Received: 4 September 2025
Date Accounts Received: 4 September 2025
Total Gross Income: £7,488,002
Total Gross Expenditure: £7,613,177

Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2023
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2024
Ar Cycle Reference: AR24
Reporting Due Date: 30 November 2024
Date Annual Return Received: 7 August 2024
Date Accounts Received: 7 August 2024
Total Gross Income: £6,975,977
Total Gross Expenditure: £6,693,272

Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2022
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2023
Ar Cycle Reference: AR23
Reporting Due Date: 30 November 2023
Date Annual Return Received: 29 November 2023
Date Accounts Received: 29 November 2023
Total Gross Income: £6,397,000
Total Gross Expenditure: £5,684,000

Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2021
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2022
Ar Cycle Reference: AR22
Reporting Due Date: 30 November 2022
Date Annual Return Received: 14 July 2022
Date Accounts Received: 14 July 2022
Total Gross Income: £5,218,765
Total Gross Expenditure: £4,453,080

04 Official extract

Charity Annual Return Parta

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: Yes
Fin Period Order Number: 1
Ar Cycle Reference: AR26
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2025
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2026
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2026
Ar Received Date: 19 October 2026
Total Gross Income: £7,107,851
Total Gross Expenditure: £7,942,109
Grant Making Is Main Activity: No
Count Govt Grants: £1
Income From Government Grants: £137,850
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary: Yes
Trustee Also Director Of Subsidiary: Yes
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit: No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee: No
Trustee Receives Payments Services: No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit: No
Trustee Resigned Employment: No
Employees Salary Over 60k: Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000: 2
Count Salary Band 70001 80000: 1
Count Salary Band 100001 110000: 1
Count Volunteers: 100

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 2
Ar Cycle Reference: AR25
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2024
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2025
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2025
Ar Received Date: 4 September 2025
Total Gross Income: £7,488,002
Total Gross Expenditure: £7,613,177
Grant Making Is Main Activity: No
Count Govt Contracts: 0
Count Govt Grants: £1
Income From Government Grants: £95,468
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary: Yes
Trustee Also Director Of Subsidiary: Yes
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit: No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee: No
Trustee Receives Payments Services: No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit: No
Trustee Resigned Employment: Yes
Employees Salary Over 60k: Yes
Count Salary Band 60001 70000: 3
Count Salary Band 80001 90000: 1
Count Volunteers: 100

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 3
Ar Cycle Reference: AR24
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2023
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2024
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2024
Ar Received Date: 7 August 2024
Total Gross Income: £6,975,977
Total Gross Expenditure: £6,693,272
Grant Making Is Main Activity: No
Count Govt Contracts: 0
Count Govt Grants: £0
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary: Yes
Trustee Also Director Of Subsidiary: Yes
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit: No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee: No
Trustee Receives Payments Services: No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit: No
Trustee Resigned Employment: No
Employees Salary Over 60k: Yes
Count Salary Band 90001 100000: 1
Count Volunteers: 100

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 4
Ar Cycle Reference: AR23
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2022
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2023
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2023
Ar Received Date: 29 November 2023
Total Gross Income: £6,397,000
Total Gross Expenditure: £5,684,000
Grant Making Is Main Activity: No
Count Govt Contracts: 0
Count Govt Grants: £1
Income From Government Grants: £124,000
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary: Yes
Trustee Also Director Of Subsidiary: Yes
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit: No
Trustee Payments Acting As Trustee: No
Trustee Receives Payments Services: No
Trustee Receives Other Benefit: No
Trustee Resigned Employment: Yes
Employees Salary Over 60k: Yes
Count Salary Band 80001 90000: 1
Count Volunteers: 100

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 5
Ar Cycle Reference: AR22
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2021
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2022
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2022
Ar Received Date: 14 July 2022
Total Gross Income: £5,218,765
Total Gross Expenditure: £4,453,080
Charity Raises Funds From Public: Yes
Charity Professional Fundraiser: No
Charity Commercial Participator: No
Grant Making Is Main Activity: No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Contracts: No
Charity Receives Govt Funding Grants: Yes
Count Govt Grants: £2
Income From Government Grants: £217,890
Charity Has Trading Subsidiary: Yes
Trustee Also Director Of Subsidiary: Yes
Does Trustee Receive Any Benefit: No
Trustee Resigned Employment: No
Employees Salary Over 60k: Yes
Count Salary Band 80001 90000: 1
Count Volunteers: 60

05 Official extract

Charity Annual Return Partb

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: Yes
Fin Period Order Number: 1
Ar Cycle Reference: AR26
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2025
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2026
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2026
Ar Received Date: 19 October 2026
Income Donations And Legacies: 3223969
Income Other Trading Activities: 1513798
Income Charitable Activities: 2125297
Income Investments: 20123
Income Other: 224664
Income Total Income And Endowments: 7107851
Income Legacies: 0
Income Endowments: 0
Expenditure Raising Funds: £1,408,022
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure: £6,534,087
Expenditure Other: 0
Expenditure Total: 7942109
Expenditure Investment Management: 0
Expenditure Grants Institution: 0
Expenditure Governance: 110870
Expenditure Support Costs: 110870
Expenditure Depreciation: 694776
Gain Loss Investment: 0
Gain Loss Pension Fund: 0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment: 0
Gain Loss Other: 0
Reserves: £1,577,000
Assets Total Fixed: 7605623
Assets Own Use: 7605623
Assets Long Term Investment: 0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme: 0
Assets Other Assets: £2,875,388
Assets Total Liabilities: £1,193,343
Assets Current Investment: 0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities: £9,287,668
Creditors One Year Total Current: 991721
Creditors Falling Due After One Year: 201622
Assets Cash: £2,126,339
Funds Endowment: 0
Funds Unrestricted: 4749478
Funds Restricted: 4538190
Funds Total: 9287668
Count Employees: 72
Consolidated Accounts: Yes

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 2
Ar Cycle Reference: AR25
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2024
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2025
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2025
Ar Received Date: 4 September 2025
Income Donations And Legacies: 3575769
Income Other Trading Activities: 1563561
Income Charitable Activities: 2116616
Income Investments: 42758
Income Other: 189298
Income Total Income And Endowments: 7488002
Income Legacies: 0
Income Endowments: 0
Expenditure Raising Funds: £1,569,553
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure: £6,043,624
Expenditure Other: 0
Expenditure Total: 7613177
Expenditure Investment Management: 0
Expenditure Grants Institution: 10000
Expenditure Governance: 146034
Expenditure Support Costs: 146034
Expenditure Depreciation: 680713
Gain Loss Investment: 0
Gain Loss Pension Fund: 0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment: 0
Gain Loss Other: 0
Reserves: £10,121,926
Assets Total Fixed: 7803363
Assets Own Use: 7803363
Assets Long Term Investment: 0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme: 0
Assets Other Assets: £3,352,109
Assets Total Liabilities: £1,033,546
Assets Current Investment: 0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities: £10,121,926
Creditors One Year Total Current: 855966
Creditors Falling Due After One Year: 177580
Assets Cash: £2,302,782
Funds Endowment: 0
Funds Unrestricted: 5314478
Funds Restricted: 4807448
Funds Total: 10121926
Count Employees: 180
Consolidated Accounts: Yes

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 3
Ar Cycle Reference: AR24
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2023
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2024
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2024
Ar Received Date: 7 August 2024
Income Donations And Legacies: 3273557
Income Other Trading Activities: 1355390
Income Charitable Activities: 2073704
Income Investments: 0
Income Other: 273326
Income Total Income And Endowments: 6975977
Income Legacies: 0
Income Endowments: 0
Expenditure Raising Funds: £1,275,914
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure: £5,417,358
Expenditure Other: 0
Expenditure Total: 6693272
Expenditure Investment Management: 0
Expenditure Grants Institution: 0
Expenditure Governance: 95406
Expenditure Support Costs: 76984
Expenditure Depreciation: 610661
Gain Loss Investment: 0
Gain Loss Pension Fund: 0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment: 0
Gain Loss Other: 0
Reserves: £2,576,000
Assets Total Fixed: 7574310
Assets Own Use: 7574310
Assets Long Term Investment: 0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme: 0
Assets Other Assets: £3,977,148
Assets Total Liabilities: £1,304,665
Assets Current Investment: 0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities: £10,246,793
Creditors One Year Total Current: 935435
Creditors Falling Due After One Year: 369230
Assets Cash: £3,418,374
Funds Endowment: 0
Funds Unrestricted: 5227142
Funds Restricted: 5019651
Funds Total: 10246793
Count Employees: 125
Consolidated Accounts: Yes

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 4
Ar Cycle Reference: AR23
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2022
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2023
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2023
Ar Received Date: 29 November 2023
Income Donations And Legacies: 2621000
Income Other Trading Activities: 1143000
Income Charitable Activities: 2250000
Income Investments: 0
Income Other: 383000
Income Total Income And Endowments: 6397000
Income Legacies: 0
Income Endowments: 0
Expenditure Raising Funds: £101,000
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure: £4,746,000
Expenditure Other: 837000
Expenditure Total: 5684000
Expenditure Investment Management: 0
Expenditure Grants Institution: 0
Expenditure Governance: 81000
Expenditure Support Costs: 77000
Expenditure Depreciation: 590000
Gain Loss Investment: 0
Gain Loss Pension Fund: 0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment: 0
Gain Loss Other: 0
Reserves: £2,005,000
Assets Total Fixed: 7746000
Assets Own Use: 7746000
Assets Long Term Investment: 0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme: 0
Assets Other Assets: £3,805,000
Assets Total Liabilities: £1,587,000
Assets Current Investment: 0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities: £9,964,000
Creditors One Year Total Current: 996000
Creditors Falling Due After One Year: 591000
Assets Cash: £3,200,000
Funds Endowment: 0
Funds Unrestricted: 4530000
Funds Restricted: 5434000
Funds Total: 9964000
Count Employees: 106
Consolidated Accounts: Yes

Latest Fin Period Submitted Ind: No
Fin Period Order Number: 5
Ar Cycle Reference: AR22
Fin Period Start Date: 1 February 2021
Fin Period End Date: 31 January 2022
Ar Due Date: 30 November 2022
Ar Received Date: 14 July 2022
Income Donations And Legacies: 2644457
Income Other Trading Activities: 705158
Income Charitable Activities: 1605240
Income Investments: 0
Income Other: 263910
Income Total Income And Endowments: 5218765
Income Legacies: 0
Income Endowments: 0
Expenditure Raising Funds: £282,669
Expenditure Charitable Expenditure: £3,507,229
Expenditure Other: 663182
Expenditure Total: 4453080
Expenditure Investment Management: 0
Expenditure Grants Institution: 0
Expenditure Governance: 72897
Expenditure Support Costs: 218408
Expenditure Depreciation: 585293
Gain Loss Investment: 0
Gain Loss Pension Fund: 0
Gain Loss Revaluation Fixed Investment: 0
Gain Loss Other: 0
Reserves: £1,211,407
Assets Total Fixed: 8001298
Assets Own Use: 8001298
Assets Long Term Investment: 0
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme: 0
Assets Other Assets: £2,607,452
Assets Total Liabilities: £1,357,662
Assets Current Investment: 0
Assets Total Assets And Liabilities: £9,251,088
Creditors One Year Total Current: 784871
Creditors Falling Due After One Year: 572791
Assets Cash: £2,238,671
Funds Endowment: 0
Funds Unrestricted: 3492191
Funds Restricted: 5758897
Funds Total: 9251088
Count Employees: 125
Consolidated Accounts: Yes

06 Official extract

Charity Area Of Operation

Geographic Area Type: Local Authority
Geographic Area Description: Devon
Welsh Ind: No

07 Official extract

Charity Classification

Classification Code: 307
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Provides Advocacy/advice/information

Classification Code: 207
Classification Type: Who
Classification Description: The General Public/mankind

Classification Code: 205
Classification Type: Who
Classification Description: Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies

Classification Code: 111
Classification Type: What
Classification Description: Animals

Classification Code: 302
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Makes Grants To Organisations

Classification Code: 112
Classification Type: What
Classification Description: Environment/conservation/heritage

Classification Code: 102
Classification Type: What
Classification Description: Education/training

Classification Code: 308
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Sponsors Or Undertakes Research

Classification Code: 101
Classification Type: What
Classification Description: General Charitable Purposes

Classification Code: 306
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Provides Services

Classification Code: 301
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Makes Grants To Individuals

Classification Code: 304
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Provides Human Resources

Classification Code: 305
Classification Type: How
Classification Description: Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space

08 Official extract

Charity Event History

Charity Name: Ocean Conservation Trust Limited
Charity Event Order: 1
Event Type: Standard registration
Date Of Event: 1994-02-01T00:00:00

Charity Name: Ocean Conservation Trust Limited
Charity Event Order: 2
Event Type: Asset transfer in
Date Of Event: 2026-09-22T00:00:00
Reason: Removed by application
Assoc Organisation Number: 5128876
Assoc Registered Charity Number: 1180669
Assoc Charity Name: ASHFORDS FOUNDATION

09 Official extract

Charity Governing Document

Governing Document Description: MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES INCORPORATED 31/12/1991AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 11/02/1992AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 21/12/1993AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 14/07/1997AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 04/02/2000AS AMENDED BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION(S) DATED 28/10/2011 as amended on 29 May 2019 as amended on 04 May 2022 as amended on 18 Dec 2025
Charitable Objects: To promote and contribute to the conservation, protection and improvement of the Ocean and of all forms of aquatic life and to the conservation and regeneration of aquatic habitats, species and ecosystems that sustain life, all for the benefit of the public. To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the Ocean and of all forms of aquatic life and in the conservation and regeneration of aquatic habitats, species, and ecosystems that sustain life by the provision of an aquarium and or other programmes of education and research and to disseminate the useful results of such research all for the benefit of the public.
Area Of Benefit: NOT DEFINED

10 Official extract

Charity Other Names

Charity Name Id: 616537
Charity Name Type: Working name
Charity Name: Ocean Conservation Trust Limited

Charity Name Id: 261765
Charity Name Type: Previous name
Charity Name: NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM LIMITED

11 Official extract

Charity Policy

Policy Name: Safeguarding policy and procedures

Policy Name: Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Policy Name: Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries

Policy Name: Investment

Policy Name: Conflicting interests

Policy Name: Financial reserves policy and procedures

Policy Name: Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures

Policy Name: Complaints policy and procedures

Policy Name: Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures

Policy Name: Paying staff

Policy Name: Internal risk management policy and procedures

Policy Name: Risk management

Policy Name: Bullying and harassment policy and procedures

Policy Name: Serious incident reporting policy and procedures

Policy Name: Social media policy and procedures

Policy Name: Volunteer management

Policy Name: Complaints handling