Stonewall is in financial difficulty

[RoyalCorgi]

Interesting post from Rob Jessel:

https://x.com/robjessel16/status/2008194383301185966

If you can't read it, their return to Companies House shows that last year (ending 31 March 2025) they had a deficit of £906k.

A deficit is for a single year, rather than the overall amount of debt an organisation has (eg you could have a deficit for a single year but still not be in debt).

One startling element is the reduction in reserves. At the end of the previous financial year they had reserves of £998k. At the end of March 2025, that was down to £92k.

That's such a dramatic fall I wonder if I've understood it correctly, so if you have more financial expertise than I do, feel free to correct me.

You can see the Companies House return at: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02412299/filing-history

New podcast series from Stonewall. I wonder if they really will allow differences of opinion on these discussions? Another possible shift by Stonewall? (or is it all just semantics?)

[my bold]

Proudly in Conversation brings people together to talk openly about LGBTQ+ life

Proudly in Conversation podcast | Stonewall UK

These conversations aren’t always easy and perspectives won’t always align. That’s the point. By hearing different voices, we create space for meaningful exchange and real understanding.

I didn't want to start a new thread, so will post it here.

Something to be aware of. Looks like they'll be hoping to appoint sometime in August or September, if they can.

Stonewall are advertising for a Policy and Parliamentary Manager.

As Policy and Parliamentary Manager you would be a key part of a team of driven, passionate people who are working together to deliver our strategy 'In Courage and Unity, is Hope'. Working to advance LGBTQ+ rights and equality through legislation, government policy, and public discussion, this role combines:
• research and policy development
• relationship-building
• direct parliamentary engagement.

Salary:£37535-£45967
Department:Policy
Vacancy Type:Permanent
Closing Date:7 August 2026
https://stonewall.earcu.com/jobs/vacancy/policy-and-parliamentary-manager-0171-london/179/description/

This is their "2025-28 In courage and unity, hope" policy campaign.
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/uploads/files/In-courage-and-unity-is-hope-2025-2028.pdf

They are clearly lobbying and are looking to hire someone to influence MPs, Lords, other parliamentarians, and anyone with influence in Government.

I suspect that lobbyist’s main role will be to go round with a begging bowl. The salary doesn’t look particularly impressive to me but assume that’s a general charity thing.

I guess they do have to try to stay relevant, keep someone "around" just so they're visible. Stonewall, with their Proud Employers scheme apparently not really taking off that well and with partners that possibly will not be able to stay afloat with their "influence" in schools curtailed by KCSIE and the SC ruling/EHRC guidance, if they don't do any lobbying, they'll manage to fund themselves out of existence. So, yes, begging bowl out, not just for funds, but also for a seat at the table.

It will be interesting to see who gets the job.

I suppose they're hoping to be heavily involved in the Conversion Bill (another of their big campaigns), so we'll have to watch what Burnham does with that.

They’ve always had a parliamentary and policy lead (probably have far fewer staff now doing that than they used to for obvious reasons). It used to be Ruth Hunt’s job before she became CEO…

Hopefully they’ll disappear now.

That salary is atrocious for the role. Is that a general charity sector thing?

Charity sector pay is very poor yes, but that is on the low side for the gravity and profile of that role. I suspect it will go to the child of a multimillionaire Labour MP or Third Sector maven with a zone one crash pad.

There's been a complete liquidation of Diversity Role Models trustees, replaced by Stonewall trustees, see thread

Page 4 | Diversity Role Models and Stonewall: coming soon to a school near you (June 2026 announcement) | Mumsnet

Diversity Role Models' company address has been changed to 192 St Johns St., London, which is also Stonewall's head office address.

They scrapped their Articles of Association and adopted new Articles on 10 August, 2026.

At this point, I'm thinking that Diversity Role Models may be dissolved and all its activities appropriated by Stonewall, in an attempt to leave the name and its dodgy past behind.

or

Everyone in Stonewall is about to jump ship for a career in telling teachers and children what and how they should be thinking in this rapidly-shrinking Brave New World.

I'm betting on the former

I wonder if they think they can rebrand, re-establish themselves in schools as Stonewall, they can start bringing in much needed funding. Especially as their Proud Employers scheme doesn't seem to be exactly taking off!

We'll need to keep an eye on Stonewall's accounts.