Wildlife charity WWF-UK’s income rose slightly to £63.2m with an increase in membership and donations offsetting a drop in legacy income, according to its latest accounts.

Total income for the year ending 30 June 2015 was £63.2m, up from £62.9m the previous year. Over half its income comes from membership and donation from individuals, which was £37.1m in 2015, up from £35.7m in 2014.

Legacy income fell from £11.7m in 2014 to £9.1m in 2015.

Total expenditure for the year was £61.1m, with £45.8m spent on charitable activities. The cost of generating funds fell slightly from £15.5m to £14.6m. The charity said this was because “in 2013/14 it was decided to invest more in the recruitment of regular givers than in the past”.

In the chair’s introductions, Andrew Cahn said: “We rely on public trust. I am therefore all the more concerned by recent media coverage about charity fundraising practices. I feel confident in the fundraising practices at WWF, and I believe our fundraising promise offers a firm bedrock when it comes to WWF’s own conduct in this area.”

The charity paid 21 people more than £60,000, two more than last year. The highest paid employee, chief executive David Nussbaum, earned between £150,001 and £160,000, which is a band higher than the previous year.