British Council Napoli

Informazioni Generali

The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).

We are an executive non-departmental public body, a public corporation (in accounting terms) and a charity.

We were founded in 1934, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1940 and registered as a charity under registration numbers 209131 (England and Wales) and SC037733 (Scotland). A supplemental Charter of Incorporation was granted in 1993. Our Patron is HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Prince of Wales is our Vice-Patron.

The Royal Charter is our constitution. It sets out the objects for which we exist, namely ‘[to] advance [...] any purpose which is exclusively charitable and which shall

(a) promote cultural relationships and the understanding of different cultures between people and peoples of the United Kingdom and other countries;
(b) promote a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom;
(c) develop a wider knowledge of the English language;
(d) encourage cultural, scientific, technological and other educational
cooperation between the United Kingdom and other countries; or
(e) otherwise promote the advancement of education'

Our relation to government

The British Council operates at arm’s length from the UK government and it does not carry out its functions on behalf of the Crown. However, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is answerable to parliament for the policies, operations and performance of the British Council whilst the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the British Council's Sponsoring Department.

Official documents regarding the Council's relationship with the FCO can be found under our corporate publications page on www.britishcouncil.org

The British Council acts as trustee for a number of charities and trusts.