C F Lunoe Trust Fund

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 214850
• Annual Income: £104,255 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £97,205 (2024)
• Grant Range: £500 - £8,000+ (scholarships and prizes)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (with emphasis on technical education in England & Wales)
• Founded: 1960 (registered 1963)
• Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion

Contact Details

Registered Address: 3 Crown Street, Redbourn, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 7JX

Charity Commission: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=214850

Note: No public telephone, email or website available. The trust does not appear to have a public-facing application process.

Overview

The C F LUNOE TRUST FUND was established in 1960 by Christian Frederick Lunoe, a Danish-born engineer who came to England in 1918 with Knud Holst to establish Holst and Company Ltd, a firm specializing in the design and construction of reinforced concrete. Educated at Copenhagen University, Christian Lunoe's interest in people and technical excellence inspired him to create this charitable trust. The trust was formally registered as a charity in 1963 and operates throughout England and Wales.

With annual expenditure approaching £100,000, the trust has three distinct charitable purposes: providing assistance to persons in needy circumstances (particularly ex-employees of Holst & Co or its successors and their dependents), supporting technical education, training and research in the United Kingdom, and making donations to charitable organizations. The trust is governed by six trustees and operates without any paid employees or remuneration to trustees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through several distinct funding streams:

1. QUEST Scholarships (ICE Partnership)

• Fully funded by the C F Lunoe Trust (no company partnership required)
• Worth up to £8,000 over the course of undergraduate study
• For students starting full-time accredited civil engineering degrees at UK universities
• Students organize their own summer work placements with civil engineering employers
• Application through the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) QUEST programme

2. University of Leeds Civil Engineering Prizes

• Twelve prizes of £500 each awarded to top students across MEng and BEng programmes
• Four bursaries of £500 for outstanding performances in CIVE 2660 RC project plus exams in RC and Steel
• Six bursaries of £500 for top students at the end of first year
• Total annual commitment of approximately £11,000 in student prizes
• Awarded based on academic achievement, contribution to university activities, and coursework ability

3. Technical Education Lectures

• Sponsors prestigious lectures at universities including the C F Lunoe Trust Lecture series at University of Leeds School of Civil Engineering
• Recent lecture topics include major infrastructure projects (e.g., Mersey Gateway Bridge design and construction)

4. Welfare Support for Ex-Employees

• Assistance to persons in needy circumstances, specifically ex-employees of Holst & Co (later Norwest Holst) or their dependents
• Discretionary grants for relief of poverty

Priority Areas

• Civil engineering education: Strong emphasis on undergraduate education, particularly at institutions offering accredited civil engineering degrees
• Technical training and research: Supporting advancement of technical knowledge and skills in the UK
• Structural and reinforced concrete engineering: Reflecting the founder's expertise and the heritage of Holst & Co
• Student excellence: Recognition and financial support for high-achieving civil engineering students
• Welfare of former employees: Support for individuals connected to the founder's original company

What They Don't Fund

The trust has very specific focus areas. Based on its stated objectives:

• Projects outside the UK
• Non-technical educational initiatives
• Individuals or organizations without connection to civil engineering, technical education, or the Holst & Co legacy
• General charitable causes unrelated to technical education or the specified beneficiary groups

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The trust is governed by six trustees:

• Mr Peter Henrik Lunoe (family connection to founder)
• John Dodson
• Mr John Anthony Jefkins
• Mr Trevor Parks
• Mr John Henke
• Alexandra Coghill

The board operates without remuneration, and the trust employs no staff. The presence of Peter Henrik Lunoe on the board maintains the family connection to the founder, Christian Frederick Lunoe, ensuring continuity with the trust's original vision and values.

Governance Structure

• Legal Form: Established by Deed of Settlement dated 15 September 1960, amended by resolution under S74D of the 1993 Charities Act on 18 November 2009
• Charity Type: Grant-making trust
• Reporting Status: Up to date with Charity Commission requirements
• Subsidiaries: None
• Employees: None

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process. The trust operates through established partnerships and trustee discretion:

For Students:

• QUEST Scholarships: Applications are made through the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) QUEST programme website (https://www.ice.org.uk/quest). The C F Lunoe Trust fully funds certain QUEST scholarships, but selection is managed through the ICE process.
• University of Leeds Prizes: These are awarded automatically based on academic performance - no separate application is required. Students enrolled at the University of Leeds School of Civil Engineering are considered for prizes based on their academic results.

For Individuals Seeking Welfare Support:

• Ex-employees of Holst & Co (later Norwest Holst) or their dependents may contact the trustees directly at the registered address.
• Applications are considered at trustee discretion - there is no formal application form or process.

For Organizations:

• The trust makes donations to charitable organizations, but there is no evidence of a public application process.
• Partnerships appear to be established through trustee initiative and existing relationships (e.g., with universities and professional bodies).

Decision Timeline

No publicly available information about decision timelines. As the trust operates through trustee discretion and established partnerships, timing varies by programme:

• QUEST Scholarships follow the ICE annual cycle
• University prizes are awarded at the end of each academic year
• Other grants likely decided at trustee meetings (timing not published)

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The trust has a very specific focus, and most funding appears to go through established programmes rather than open competition.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process. Students can potentially benefit from multiple awards throughout their course of study at University of Leeds.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the C F Lunoe Trust Fund requires appreciating its origins in the post-war British construction industry. Holst & Co, the company founded by Christian Lunoe and Knud Holst, was a pioneering firm in reinforced concrete construction. The company was responsible for major industrial projects, including building what was potentially the world's largest concrete chimney for Eggborough Power Station in 1963.

The trust appears to favour:

• Long-term partnerships over one-off grants
• Recognized institutions and professional bodies with established track records
• Student support that recognizes and rewards academic excellence
• Projects connected to structural and civil engineering reflecting the founder's expertise

While this trust does not have a public application process, understanding its priorities can be valuable:

1. For Universities: If your institution has a strong civil engineering programme, particularly one specializing in structural or concrete engineering, exploring a partnership similar to the University of Leeds arrangement could be worthwhile. Contact would need to be made directly with the trustees at the registered address.

1. For Professional Bodies: The trust's partnership with the Institution of Civil Engineers suggests openness to working with professional bodies that support technical education.

1. For Individuals with Holst Connection: Former employees of Holst & Co, Norwest Holst, or successor companies (eventually acquired and absorbed into VINCI Construction) or their dependents may be eligible for welfare support by contacting the trustees directly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This trust operates through trustee discretion and established partnerships - there is no application form or open call for proposals
• Civil engineering focus: The trust's educational support is specifically targeted at civil engineering, particularly at undergraduate level
• Established partnerships: The trust works through existing relationships with institutions like the University of Leeds and professional bodies like the Institution of Civil Engineers
• Family legacy: The presence of Peter Henrik Lunoe as a trustee suggests continued family involvement in maintaining the founder's vision
• Dual mission: Both welfare support (for Holst & Co connected individuals) and technical education funding remain active objectives
• Student-centered: The trust shows strong commitment to recognizing and rewarding academic excellence in civil engineering students
• No geographic restrictions within UK: While operating throughout England and Wales, the trust can support UK-wide technical education initiatives

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• A G Manly Charitable Trust
• BENNY WALKER CHARITABLE TRUST
• THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF ENGINEERS CHARITABLE TRUST FUND
• The Water Conservation Trust
• The John and Ruth Howard Charitable Trust
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• The Poor Fund of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers
• The Roy and Pixie Baker Charitable Trust
• The Savoy Educational Trust
• The John Browne Charitable Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: C F LUNOE TRUST FUND (Charity No. 214850). Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=214850

• OpenCharities: C F LUNOE TRUST FUND. Retrieved from http://opencharities.org/charities/214850

• Institution of Civil Engineers: QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship. Retrieved from https://www.ice.org.uk/get-involved/awards-and-grants/quest-scholarships/quest-undergraduate-scholarship

• University of Leeds, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences: “First undergraduate Prizegiving Ceremony held by the School of Civil Engineering.” Retrieved from https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/faculty-engineering-physical-sciences/news/article/6017/first-undergraduate-prizegiving-ceremony-held-by-the-school-of-civil-engineering

• University of Leeds, School of Civil Engineering: “Awards for high achieving civil engineers.” Retrieved from https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/faculty-engineering-physical-sciences/news/article/5411/awards-for-high-achieving-civil-engineers

• Grace's Guide to British Industrial History: “Holst and Co.” Retrieved from https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Holst_and_Co

• Charity Choice: C F Lunoe Trust Fund profile. Retrieved from https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/c-f-lunoe-trust-fund-150881