Our Mission statement, accounts and policies

Through all the activities of York Minster runs our belief that God wants to show the world his love.

It gives meaning to the daily worship of the Minster, and the prayers that are constantly being offered. But the splendour of the building, and the care that has gone into it over the centuries, also reflects the glory of God. It inspires the pleasure we take in welcoming visitors of all ages, and from all over the world, whether Christian or not. We have set out what we want to do in a simple Mission Statement (details below).

Every year we prepare a full report of what we have done to share our progress. It covers not only the money needed to fund our work, but the way our different departments fulfill their plans as part of the whole work of York Minster.

You can download the report below, along with a copy of our annual accounts, and our Environment Policy.

Our Vision

To inspire everyone to experience God’s love through our welcome, worship, and work.

Our Values:

Integrity
Purpose
Humility
Compassion

Five steps in our transformation approach:

Destination: To make sure we are all aligned on the foundations that will inspire us to deliver change at York Minster.
Strategy: To introduce our renewed Vision for 2030, our Mission and our values.
Transformation Roadmap: To take the first steps on our transformation journey, to enable the vision and strategy and the initiatives, plans, resources and finances to deliver our objectives.
Ways of Working: To create an efficient and optimal workplace where innovation and collaboration will thrive through our governance, decision-making, prioritisation, clear processes, and technology enablement.
Organisation: To ensure that our people have the capability and support they need to deliver our objectives.

Our Vision and Strategy for 2030

Find out more about the Chapter of York's strategic plan for 2024-2030.

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Annual accounts & report 2023

Read about our work over the last year, including progress to fulfil our plans and the funding required for our work in our 2023 annual report and accounts.

They show continuing recovery in the cathedral’s post pandemic financial performance and a more optimistic outlook overall despite ongoing national and global economic turbulence.

The Accounts record a net surplus of £2,701,000 compared to £329,000 in 2022 and £805,000 in 2021. This is before taking account of gains or losses on the valuation of investments. Most of this surplus (£2,567,000) lies within the restricted fund, being largely the funding received from York Minster Fund in year for the capital development of the Heritage Centre of Excellence.

Visitor income increased by £1,390,000 to £5,268,000 (£3.9m in 2022). Retail income was up £200,000 to £1,537,000 (£1,337,000 in 2022). Expenditure on education and outreach has increased by £235,000 to £853,000. All areas within this category have seen an increase in costs directly related to increased activities throughout the year. Meanwhile, total expenditure on mission was £10,152,000 (£10.1m in 2021). The marginal increase of £85,000 comprised mainly of increases in costs of raising funds.

Investment markets made some recovery against the losses suffered in 2022, so Chapter’s financial investments have seen net realised and unrealised gains of £1,005,000 (2022: losses of £1,903,000) across all funds. Net position after investment movements and before transfers between funds is therefore a gain of £3,706, 000. Total net assets at the end of the year were £54,617,000 (£50.9m in 2022).

This accounting period was the first under full charitable status following registration on 5 January 2023 as part of the changes driven by the Cathedrals Measure 2021. It also saw a new Dean and Chapter Steward in post. During 2023 Chapter undertook extensive work to determine its strategy out to 2030, the outcome of which was the first stage of a Transformation Plan of work commencing at the beginning of 2024.

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