The John Browne Charitable Trust was established 20 years ago by John Browne, Lord Browne of Madingley, to support causes associated with his life as an engineer, businessman, patron of the arts, and son of a Holocaust survivor. It is guided by a group of Trustees with experience and expertise across finance, academia and public service.
Supporting exceptional people & organisations in the pursuit of human progress
The John Browne Charitable Trust supports projects which will make a tangible difference to the lives of people with great potential, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds who may not otherwise have the chance to excel. Over the past 20 years, the Trust has distributed more than £3 million in five main areas.
The Natural Environment
As CEO of BP for 12 years, John Browne was a pioneer in recognising the risks posed by climate change, and seeking to make business part of the solution. The Trust makes contributions to causes associated with climate change, conservation and the natural environment, and is proud to have launched the Chelsea Physic Garden’s Hothouse Challenge.
Photo: Chelsea Physic Garden
Engineering
Engineering science and practice: Trustees share a belief that engineering is the foundation of civilisation. The Trust has previously made major contributions to the Royal Academy of Engineering, and will continue to look for opportunities to support the next generation of engineers.
Photo: The John Browne Garden and Entrance at the Royal Academy of Engineering
Higher Education
Universities and other higher education institutions are one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to enable social mobility. The Trust has long-standing relationships with a number of such institutions, to which it makes regular and one-off grants in pursuit of the Trust’s mission. These include Murray Edwards College at the University of Cambridge, pictured here, where the JBCT funds the Paula Browne scholarships in memory of John Browne’s mother.
Photo: Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge by Martin Bond
Visual and Performing Arts
Since inception, the Trust has distributed more than £1 million to arts projects which promise to make a lasting impact on people’s cultural lives. These include a major contribution by the Trust to the transformational expansion of Tate Modern, as well as regular support for the artistic programming of the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in London.
Photo: Tate Modern
Human Rights
As a businessman, John Browne has been a pioneer in the integration of human rights considerations into corporate activity. He is also the son of a Holocaust survivor, and a campaigner for the rights of LGBT+ people, having being ‘outed’ as gay by a British newspaper in 2007. The Trust actively looks to support groups that are underrepresented in society or that suffer prejudice.
Picture: the JBCT is a regular donor to the Holocaust Educational Trust
We welcome applications to the Trust, which will be reviewed by the Trustees against five criteria:
Geographic focus: priority is given to people and organisations based in the United Kingdom; and
Area of focus: engineering science and practice, the natural environment, and the arts; and
Long-term commitment to furthering the mission of the Trust; and
Supporting underrepresented groups, including those from low income households, women, and LGBT+ people; or
Supporting brilliant people with a commitment to excellence
Organisations supported by the JBCT
Royal Academy of Engineering
Stanford Graduate School of Business
THE JOHN BROWNE CHARITABLE TRUST
Charity number: 1088642