Annual Report and Accounts 2025

Introduction by Chair of the Trustee Board

On behalf of NatCen and its Board of Trustees, I am pleased to present this year's annual report, along with the audited financial statements, covering the year ending 30 June 2025.

The last 12 months have been a productive and successful year for NatCen, delivering a financial surplus to support our charitable purpose. Our Chief Executive, Michael Davis, joined the organisation in August 2024, leading NatCen in a programme of transformation to support further innovation in our survey methods, expertise and processes.

As NatCen grows, we have developed opportunities for funding our own research for the public's benefit and to help inform society. In 2024-25, this included our flagship British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey and report. Launched at a high-profile event held both in central London and online, the BSA series of reports covered British democracy and attitudes towards electoral reform, policy challenges, politics and social media, and security threats and military spending.

The Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen) also celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. A reception was held in Edinburgh, with speeches from Paul Bradshaw (Director of ScotCen), Professor Sir John Curtice (Senior Research Fellow) and Audrey MacDougall, Chief Social Researcher at Scottish Government. This event provided an excellent opportunity to meet with clients and colleagues, along with our Scottish interviewers, many of whom have worked with ScotCen throughout its 25 years.

Towards the end of the year, we were delighted to confirm four new Trustees to our Board: James Brooks, Chief Operations Officer, Kantar; Professor Alison Park, Deputy Executive Chair, ESRC; Professor lan Rivers, Associate Principal, University of Strathclyde and Nina Skero, Chief Executive, Cebr. All bring excellent expertise and strategic value to the governance of the organisation.

My thanks, as ever, goes to the entire Board of Trustees for the enduring support and guidance they provide to NatCen, to ensure the organisation achieves its vision for growth, whilst meeting its charitable objectives, and delivering the high-quality social research it is known and respected for. My continued appreciation goes to the hard-working and dedicated staff team who come together under NatCen's strong sense of purpose. Thank you to every one of our colleagues for their valued expertise and teamwork in achieving our objectives.

I must note that this set of accounts contains a significant event which has altered our financial position which is unfortunately outside of our control. The Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, which is administered by an independent board of Trustees instructed the scheme administrators to undertake a ful rectification exercise during 2025 due to errors identified with pensioners benefits calculated by the previous scheme administrator. This rectification work has only completed in June 2026 and has led to a reduction in the total scheme deficit of over £3m. This is also the cause of the delayed filing date for these accounts. Full details are contained in the report.

And finally, NatCen simply could not continue without the contribution from the public who agree to participate in our research studies and surveys. Over 1,200 people per week participate in our variety of research studies and, as an organisation, we are committed and passionate about sharing their voice with those who have the power and influence to inform and change policy to improve society. On behalf of the organisation, its staff team and Trustees, my sincere thanks ot everyone who has contributed their views.

Sir Stuart Etherington
Chair of the Board of Trustees