Income at a major social care trust has increased by more than £64m following two mergers, its latest accounts show.
The Orders of St John Care Trust recorded an income of £233.6m according to its latest accounts, for the year to the end of March 2025 – up from £169.1m the previous year.
Costs at the charity also increased to £234.3m in 2024/25, compared with its previous figure of £166.9m.
In 2024 the charity merged with The Fremantle Trust, a smaller social care provider that provides services to older people and adults with learning disabilities and operates 11 care homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire.
The charity also acquired Elmfield Care in 2024, which offers residential dementia and respite care for almost 200 residents in three care homes in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
The OSJCT had an income of £3.5m related to an “exceptional donation” as a result of new assets received from an acquired charity.
“The fair value of acquired net assets reflects the fair value of The Fremantle Trust and Leonard Pulham Limited balance sheets as at the date of acquisition in the prior year,” the accounts say.
“As no consideration was paid on acquisition the total fair value of net assets was recognised as a ‘gift’ within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities for 2024 in accordance with the Charities SORP.”
Staff costs at the OSJCT rose to £160m, an increase on the £117.4m it recorded in 2023/24.
The OSJCT had an average headcount of 5,435 in 2024/25, up from 4,002 previously.
The charity’s staff numbers included 1,411 Fremantle employees and 190 Elmfield Care employees.
In a joint statement, Dan Hayes and Mark Everall, chief executive and chair of the OSJCT, respectively, said the acquisitions “broadened [the charity’s] reach and deepened [its] ability to deliver compassionate, high-quality care across a wider footprint”.
The statement said: “Given the scale of these additions, it is no surprise that the year was dominated by the integration and performance of Fremantle and Elmfield.
“It is pleasing to report that both organisations have substantially outperformed the financial projections outlined in their business cases.
“Fremantle, in particular, delivered a surplus and positive operating cash, which was a remarkable achievement compared with the previous year.
“Elmfield has also exceeded expectations, with strong operational performance, stability within its senior leadership team, and a positive inspection result at Nodens Manor, its newest home.”