NESTA's average payment time of 32 days sits just above the standard 30-day benchmark, indicating a marginal but consistent delay in overall payment speed. While 68% of invoices are settled within 30 days, the remaining 32% extend into later payment bands, with 10% exceeding 60 days, suggesting a recurring tail of significantly delayed payments. The 49% late payment rate confirms that delayed settlement is not an isolated occurrence but a structural pattern in NESTA's payment behaviour.
Payment predictability for NESTA is moderate to low, as nearly one in three invoices falls outside the standard 30-day window, creating unreliable cash flow timing for suppliers. The 10% of invoices exceeding 60 days represents a meaningful risk concentration, as these outlier payments can significantly impact supplier liquidity if invoice values are high. The gap between the 32-day average and the 49% late payment rate indicates that while many delays are minor, a notable subset of payments are substantially overdue.
NESTA presents a moderate payment risk profile; engagement is viable but should be approached with protective measures in place. Suppliers are advised to build buffer time into cash flow planning, assuming an effective payment window of 35–40 days rather than the stated 30-day terms. To mitigate risk, consider negotiating shorter contractual payment terms, applying late payment penalties in contracts, or requiring partial upfront payment for larger invoices.
| Reporting Period | Filing Date | Average Time to Pay (days) | Paid within 30 days | Paid 31-60 days | Paid after 60 days | Not Paid within Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 | 27 Apr 2026 | 32 | 68% | 22% | 10% | 49% |
| 01 Apr 2025 - 30 Sept 2025 | 14 Jan 2026 | 28 | 76% | 17% | 7% | 44% |
This information is as reported by the business, and responses are in their own words.
Standard payment terms
Standard Terms: The Charity operates a flexible, decentralised procurement model to ensure agility in our charitable work. We do not currently mandate a universal Purchase Order (PO) system or a single set of standard terms. Instead, we typically honour the specific terms requested by our suppliers on their individual invoices. For reporting purposes, we identify the most frequently occurring payment period within our supplier data as our standard term. Payment Processing: We operate a centralised payment run every two weeks. Our policy is to include all approved and coded invoices in the run preceding their due date to ensure proactive settlement. Flexibility and Exceptions: While we strive for 100% on-time payment, the following factors influence our reported statistics and contribute to the volume of payments technically flagged as 'late': - Fortnightly Cycles: Invoices falling due between scheduled payment runs may occasionally be settled in the subsequent cycle. - Impact of Short-Dated Terms: While we report our most frequently used terms as standard, a portion of our supplier base (such as legal and advisory services) issues invoices on a 'due on receipt' or 14-day basis. Because we do not override these with a longer mandatory contractual term, these accelerated requests often result in a technical 'late' flag if the settlement falls outside these short windows. - Approval and Coding Requirements: Payment is only released once the relevant budget holder has formally approved the expenditure within our internal systems. This essential governance process is a primary driver for settlement times that may fall outside of non-standard, accelerated supplier terms. - Accelerated Payments: We recognise the importance of cash flow for our partners and actively facilitate out-of-cycle payments upon request for critical services or to support smaller suppliers.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No information available
Any other information about payment terms
No additional information
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
60
In the event of a query regarding an invoice, suppliers are encouraged to contact their primary contact in the first instance. This allows for a direct review of the services or goods provided. Where necessary, queries are escalated to our Finance department for further investigation and resolution. Invoices subject to a query are held from the payment cycle until the details have been verified by the relevant budget holder. Upon resolution, we aim to settle the invoice as efficiently as possible and can facilitate out-of-cycle payments where necessary to ensure the supplier is not further delayed by the timing of our standard fortnightly runs.
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices?
For example, signatories to The Prompt Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
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Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
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Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
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Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
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During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No information available
NESTA is a private limited company registered in England, operating under a guarantee structure without share capital. This company type indicates that NESTA functions as a non-profit organisation, where members provide a financial guarantee rather than holding shares, and any surplus is reinvested into its activities rather than distributed to shareholders.
NESTA is registered with Companies House under company number 07706036 and holds active status. The company was incorporated on 15 July 2011 and is based in London, with its registered office located at 58 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DS.
As a company limited by guarantee, NESTA operates within a legal structure commonly adopted by charities, foundations, and public benefit organisations across the United Kingdom. This structure is typically used by organisations focused on research, innovation, education, or public interest activities, where the reinvestment of resources supports the delivery of their core mission.
The use of the 'Limited' exemption in NESTA's registration indicates that the organisation meets specific criteria set by Companies House, permitting it to omit the word 'Limited' from its trading name. This exemption is granted to organisations that demonstrate a commitment to applying their income towards promoting their stated objectives.