Charity Details

Scottish Association For Marine Science

SC009206Registered charity from 29 June 1930

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Charity Information:

Address Dunbeg
Oban
Argyll

Postcode PA37 1QA

Website www.sams.ac.uk

Regulatory Type Standard

Link to Companies House https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/

Object:

The objects for which the Association is established are:- (a) To take over the whole of the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated association, founded in 1894, constituted on 26th November, 1897, and consecutively carried on since the latter date, first, under the name of THE MILLPORT MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION, second, under the name of THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND, this style or title having been adopted at a meeting of the Association held on 15th January, 1901 and third, under the name Scottish Marine Biological Association, this style or title having been adopted at a meeting of the Association held on 18 December 1914; and toenter into such agreements and to make, do and execute all such acts, deeds or things as maybe necessary for the purpose of taking over all such assets and liabilities or any part thereof.

Operations:

What the charity is set up to do and how it does this:

For 140+ years, SAMS has been a pioneer in marine science-championing a vision of a healthy ocean that underpins thriving people and a sustainable planet. As a global ocean science and education charity, and world-renowned research institute, our work doesn’t simply observe the ocean, it empowers people, informs policy, and accelerates solutions to some of the biggest and most devastating environmental challenges of our time. Our research spans every corner of marine science and delivers public benefit by: • Solving real-world environmental problems: from climate change and ocean acidification to pollution and biodiversity loss. • Strengthening global governance and sustainable practice: by providing the evidence base for better decision-making at every level. • Inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards: through education, outreach, and public engagement we turn awareness into action. We believe the ocean holds the key to unlocking solutions for the future of our planet.

Charity Status: Active

Constitutional Form: Company (the charity is registered with Companies House)

Constitutional Form Date: 29 Jun 1930

Main Operating Location: Argyll And Bute

Number of Staff: 186

Number of Charity Trustees: 12

Number of Volunteers: 1-50

Purposes: "the advancement of education", "the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science", "the advancement of environmental protection or improvement"

Beneficiaries: "No specific group, or for the benefit of the community"

Types Of Activity Undertaken: "It carries out activities or services itself"

Annual Submissions:

Year End	Income	Expenditure	Annual Return Received	Accounts Received	Latest Annual Reports and Accounts
31 Mar 2021	£10,350,000	£10,310,000	12 Oct 2021	Yes
31 Mar 2022	£9,384,000	£10,212,000	30 Nov 2022	Yes
31 Mar 2023	£10,315,000	£10,950,000	21 Dec 2023	Yes
31 Mar 2024	£10,079,000	£10,841,000	23 Dec 2024	Yes
31 Mar 2025	£11,384,000	£11,000,000	23 Dec 2025	Yes	Published accounts can be found on the Companies House website
If an annual return has been received on time (within nine months of the Year End Date), the 'Annual Return Received' box is green . If an annual return is late, the box is red .

Income and Expenditure:

Charity Trustees:

First Name	Last Name
Hugh	Raven
Gillian	Bruton
Helen	Mitcheson
Louise	Ledgard
Stuart	Monro
Alun	Williams
Eric	Hollanders
Laura	Dance
Adam	Christie
Keir	Ashton
Ian	Jardine
Richard	Waites
Jessica	Craven
Douglas	Wallace
Colin	Moffat
*OSCR is required by law to publish the names of a charity’s trustees and its principal office address as part of the charity’s Scottish Charity Register entry. They are also required to publish the annual report and accounts for each charity, including the names of some individuals. The only exceptions to this are where a charity or one of its trustees applies for this information to be excluded from the Register entry and where OSCR is satisfied that if it were published then the safety or security of a person or premises would be jeopardised.

From 30 June 2025, OSCR began collecting charity trustee information through OSCR Online. Providing this information is a legal requirement for all charities. The names of trustees will be published on the Scottish Charity Register from early 2026 to promote transparency and strengthen public trust in the sector.

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When you use this information under the OGL, you should include the following attribution: © Crown Copyright and database right 2020. Contains information from the Scottish Charity Register supplied by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0.

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the names of a charity’s trustees (exemptions apply)
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