The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is expected to reduce its workforce by up to 6% as part of an effort to lower its running costs.
RSPB announced it was consulting staff on potential cuts in June to reduce its day-to-day running costs by a targeted 7%.
In an update this week, the charity said its consultation had concluded and it was proceeding with changes to its team structures.
“These were not easy decisions, and this will affect some roles across our central teams,” the charity said.
“We are working hard to minimise compulsory redundancies, including by offering a voluntary redundancy scheme and re-deploying staff wherever possible.”
An RSPB spokesperson told Civil Society that it did not have a final figure regarding the number of roles lost but that up to 6% of its workforce may be affected.
The charity currently employs approximately 2,250 people, 6% of which is 135.
Charity ‘battling significant headwinds’
In this week’s update, RSPB said its operating costs had “increased substantially” in recent years and were expected to rise faster than income.
RSPB stated that it was “battling significant headwinds” and attributed inflation, energy prices and increased employment costs as key factors.
“This means that we need to simplify how the RSPB operates, reduce costs and strengthen our systems,” the charity said.
The charity stated that this was necessary to better “withstand future economic shocks” and better direct resources to its cause.
In RSPB’s most recent reporting year, to 31 March 2025, it posted an income of £195m, above its expenditure of £177m.
Its accounts that year, however, stated that a period of inflationary pressure may result in negative financial conditions that could increase operating costs.
In 2024, RSPB undertook another restructure, including the closure of five retail facilities, one café and four visitor centres across seven sites.
