Statement from the Chairman

A statement from Sir Richard Sykes FRS, Chairman of the Royal Institution regarding the charity’s financial position.

17 January 2013

For 200 years the Royal Institution has been at the forefront of science communication and we are committed to ensuring a future in which the Ri continues to play a central role in placing science at the heart of society.

It is well known that the redevelopment of the Ri's building during the last decade undermined the financial position of the charity. The recently appointed trustees have worked hard to put the charity back on a sound financial footing. Much has been achieved but more remains to be done financially and operationally to realise the full potential of the Ri.

The Ri and its advisers are exploring a range of options  to ensure it can continue to pursue fully its charitable aims and deploy its resources optimally. It is clear that this is likely to involve a restructuring of the charity and, ideally, a substantial partnership. It may also involve the Ri sub-letting or disposing of some or all of its Albemarle Street property. When the current work is completed the conclusions will be announced promptly to Ri's staff and members, and then to its wider stakeholder and supporter communities.

The Royal Institution is closed 19 March

The Ri is closed this week on Tuesday 19 March.