A benevolent charity for actors has merged into a counterpart in a bid to secure its long-term sustainability and maximise the impact of its work.
The Actors’ Children’s Trust has been absorbed by The Royal Theatrical Fund following “extensive consideration and consultation”, an ACT spokesperson said.
The ACT supports professional actors with children and their dependents across the UK through grants and advice.
The RTF provides assistance to entertainment media professionals and their dependents who cannot perform through illness or adversity.
The merged charity will be The Royal Theatrical Fund but the ACT’s identity, heritage and charitable activities will “continue to be recognised”, the ACT spokesperson said.
The ACT recorded an income of £229,939 and costs of £573,988 for the year to the end of March 2025, while the RTF’s income and costs were £678,778 and £774,451 over the same period.
The ACT had no staff, while the RTF had five full- and part-time employees at the time of the merger, according to the ACT spokesperson. No redundancies will be made as a result of the move, they said.
“Both charities have a long history of supporting people working in the performing arts and share a strong commitment to ensuring that individuals and families can access support when they need it,” the spokesperson said.
“The merger follows a strategic review undertaken by ACT to explore how best to secure its long-term sustainability and maximise the impact of its charitable work.
“Following extensive consideration and consultation, the trustees concluded that merging with RTF offered the strongest opportunity to achieve this.”
The ACT will retain its website and communications but its funds will be held within the RTF as restricted funding, the spokesperson said.
Sharon Lomas, chief executive of the RTF, will lead the merged charity.
Maxine Smeaton was appointed interim chief executive of the ACT in 2024 following the retirement of executive director Robert Ashby, who had worked for the charity since 2000.
Smeaton has left the charity following the merger and would “continue to work with charities to navigate transformational change, develop sustainable futures and maximise their impact”, the ACT spokesperson said.
ACT trustees Rebecca Crankshaw, Lee Dean and Genevieve Allenbury have joined the RTF board as part of the merger.
Samantha Bond, chair of The Royal Theatrical Fund, said: “We will combine our expertise, make better use of our resources, and increase the impact of our work.
“Most importantly, we will be able to reach more people and provide even greater support, helping to ensure that no actor’s child goes without because of the uncertainties of our profession.
“Together, The Royal Theatrical Fund and The Actors’ Children’s Trust have the opportunity to create an organisation that honours the proud legacy of both charities while building something even stronger for future generations.”