Belpech Charitable Trust
Charity Number: 1192765
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Quick Stats
- Registered Charity Number: 1192765
- Founded: 2020
- Annual Income: £103,409 (year ending September 2024)
- Annual Expenditure: £163,430 (year ending September 2024)
- Legal Form: Private Trust
- Geographic Focus: UK and International (25+ countries)
- Primary Beneficiaries: Refugees and prison leavers
Contact Details
Address: 17 Gauden Road, London SW4 6LR
Email: belpech.trust@gmail.com
Phone: 07818011941
Charity Commission: Register Entry 1192765
Note: The trust does not appear to have a public website.
Overview
The Belpech Charitable Trust was established in 2020 as a private grant-giving trust dedicated to helping refugees and people leaving prison build new lives and gain economic independence. Founded and chaired by philanthropist Charles Bland, who previously worked as Executive Vice President for Policy and Corporate Affairs at BG Group (a UK FTSE 100 oil and gas company), the trust operates as a family charitable vehicle. The trust's stated charitable purposes are grant-making for the relief of those in need, prevention or relief of poverty, relief of sickness, and promotion of social inclusion, both in the UK and internationally across more than 25 countries. With annual expenditure of £163,430 (exceeding income of £103,409 in 2024), the trust is actively distributing grants. The charity is governed by six trustees, none of whom receive remuneration, and operates without employees or trading subsidiaries.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Belpech Charitable Trust operates as a private grant-giving trust without formal grant programs or published funding tiers. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, with known examples including multi-year support to specific organizations and participation as a match funder for fundraising appeals.
Priority Areas
Primary Focus:
- Refugee Employment and Integration: Supporting refugees into meaningful employment that uses existing skills and enables sustainable economic independence
- Prison Leavers: Helping people transitioning out of prison to build new lives
Secondary Areas (as stated in charitable purposes):
- Relief of those in need
- Prevention or relief of poverty
- Relief of sickness
- Promotion of social inclusion
- Disabled people support
- Healthcare
- Culture and arts
Geographic Scope
UK: England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland
International: Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
What They Don't Fund
No specific exclusions are publicly documented. As a private trust, the trustees have complete discretion over funding decisions.
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Governance and Leadership
Board of Trustees (6 members)
Charles Bland - Chair (appointed December 2020)
- Former Executive Vice President for Policy and Corporate Affairs at BG Group (FTSE 100 oil and gas company)
- Previously President at BG Kazakhstan
- Former Chair of Trustees at Lepra (2015-2020), now Ambassador
- Trustee of the Howard League for Penal Reform
- Background in international business with responsibility for political risk, government relations, communications, corporate responsibility, and sustainable development
Dr Julia Louise Bland MRCPsych - Trustee (appointed December 2020)
Harriet Cressida Bland B.A. - Trustee (appointed December 2020)
Daisy Owen - Trustee (appointed January 2021)
Michael Stevens - Trustee (appointed January 2021)
Jemima Bruin-Bland - Trustee (appointed January 2021)
The presence of multiple family members with the Bland surname indicates this is a family trust, which explains the private nature of its grant-making.
Key Quote from Leadership
Charles Bland on the trust's philosophy: "Refugees don't want to be refugees: they want a chance to build a life for themselves and their family in a safe environment. The key to building that life is a job, which is the route to sustainable economic independence and a chance to contribute to society."
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Important: The Belpech Charitable Trust does not have a public application process. As a private family trust, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees rather than through an open application system.
Organizations cannot apply for funding directly. The trust identifies and supports organizations aligned with its priorities through the trustees' own research, networks, and relationships.
Known Funding Relationships
Breaking Barriers: The trust has supported this refugee employment organization since December 2020, including serving as a match funder for their “Be the Difference” appeal. This demonstrates a preference for multi-year partnerships with organizations delivering direct services to refugees.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - the trust operates on trustee discretion rather than application cycles.
Application Success Factors
Understanding the Trust's Approach
While there is no public application process, organizations working in the refugee and prison leaver space should understand what the Belpech Trust values based on their documented partnerships and stated mission:
Focus on Employment and Economic Independence: The trust specifically emphasizes “meaningful employment” rather than just any jobs - they look for opportunities that:
- Use refugees' existing skills
- Enable growth and development
- Provide sustainable economic independence
- Allow people to contribute to society
Partnership Over One-Off Grants: The trust's relationship with Breaking Barriers (ongoing since December 2020) suggests a preference for sustained partnerships with organizations delivering proven results.
Integration of Lived Experience: Charles Bland has praised Breaking Barriers for being “committed to understanding and integrating the lived experience of refugees,” suggesting this is a value the trust prioritizes.
Corporate Networks: The trust appears to value organizations that work with corporate partners to connect refugee skills with employment opportunities, extending support beyond initial job placement.
Evidence-Based Approach: In discussing Breaking Barriers, Bland noted their track record of helping 3,560 people work toward long-term employment goals, suggesting the trust values measurable outcomes.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Private Trust, No Public Applications: This is a family trust that makes grants at trustee discretion - there is no application form or open funding process
- Narrow Focus: Strong emphasis on refugee employment and prison leaver support; other charitable purposes appear secondary
- Employment-Centered: “Meaningful employment” leading to “sustainable economic independence” is the core theory of change
- Multi-Year Relationships: Evidence suggests the trust prefers ongoing partnerships rather than one-off grants
- International Scope: Despite being UK-based, the trust operates in 25+ countries, showing openness to international work
- Small but Active: With expenditure of £163k (2024), this is a small trust but actively distributing funds above its income
- No Overhead Concerns: The trust operates entirely through volunteer trustees with no staff costs, meaning all expenditure goes to grants
- Network Approach: Organizations in the trust's areas of interest might benefit from building relationships with the trustees through sector events, particularly those focused on refugee employment or criminal justice reform
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References
- UK Charity Commission Register of Charities - BELPECH CHARITABLE TRUST (Charity 1192765).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1192765&subid=0
- UK Charity Commission - Trustees, BELPECH CHARITABLE TRUST.. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5168297/trustees
- Breaking Barriers (2020). “The Belpech Trust - Helping refugees find meaningful employment.”. https://breaking-barriers.co.uk/story/the-belpech-trust/
- The Howard League for Penal Reform. “Charles Bland - Trustee Profile.”. https://howardleague.org/people/charles-bland/
- Lepra. “Charles Bland - Ambassador.”. https://www.lepra.org.uk/team/ambassadors/charles-bland
- NGO Explorer. “BELPECH CHARITABLE TRUST.”. https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/1192765