Stock Exchange Clerks Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Expenditure: £194,371 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not specified - reviewed by trustees
• Grant Range: Individually determined based on circumstances
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide
• Beneficiaries: 50+ recipients annually

Contact Details

Address:

Stock Exchange Clerks Fund

Salisbury House

London Wall

London EC2M 5QQ

Phone: 020 7797 4373

Email: office@secfund.org.uk

Website: www.secfund.org.uk

Overview

The Stock Exchange Clerks Fund (SECF) was established in 1983 as a registered charity (No. 286055) governed by a trust deed dated 25 November 1982 (amended in 1993, 2006, and 2008). With annual expenditure of approximately £194,371 (2024), the Fund has distributed over £0.7 million in grants over the past five years, supporting more than 50 recipients annually. The charity's mission is to provide financial assistance to former employees of the London Stock Exchange or member firms and their dependents who find themselves in necessitous circumstances. The Fund takes a highly personalized approach, with a Liaison Officer conducting home visits to assess needs and provide ongoing support. All trustees are current or retired members of the stock exchange industry, bringing deep understanding of the beneficiary community. The Fund can also make payments to charitable institutions such as hospitals, sanatoriums, and homes for the elderly, provided benefits are available to eligible beneficiaries.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Fund provides three main types of financial assistance:

• Monthly Grants: Ongoing support towards household running costs (amounts determined individually)
• One-Off Payments: Special needs assistance for medical equipment, mobility aids, household goods, white goods replacement, and funeral expenses
• Christmas Grants: Additional annual payment to most beneficiaries

Application Method: Applications accepted on a rolling basis through website contact form, followed by assessment process.

Priority Areas

The Fund specifically supports:

• Former employees of the London Stock Exchange
• Former employees of member firms of the London Stock Exchange
• Widows, widowers, and children of former employees
• Individuals in financial distress or necessitous circumstances
• Support for medical needs, mobility, and essential household items
• End-of-life expenses (funeral costs)

What They Don't Fund

This is a benevolent fund exclusively for the London Stock Exchange community. Applications from individuals without a connection to the London Stock Exchange or its member firms will not be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (10 members)

Chair: Jenny Mayhew (appointed 12 May 2016)

Trustees:

• Melissa Jane Hooper (appointed 09 October 2020)
• Kevin Norman (appointed 20 March 2017)
• Richard Adams (appointed 20 March 2017)
• Michael Ripsher (appointed 12 May 2016)
• Steve Tame
• Jeremy David Paulson-Ellis
• Michael Willmott
• Andrew Hackling FPMI
• Ian Baines

All trustees are current or retired members of the stock exchange industry. No trustees receive remuneration or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Initial Contact: Submit inquiry through the website contact form at www.secfund.org.uk indicating your status as a former employee or dependent
2. Liaison Officer Contact: The Fund's Liaison Officer will contact you “in due course” to discuss eligibility and provide information about the charity
3. Home Visit: The Liaison Officer typically meets applicants in their homes for a personal assessment conducted in a casual, supportive manner
4. Financial Assessment: The Liaison Officer provides reports to the Trustees on the applicant's financial status and needs
5. Trustee Review: All applications are reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees, who decide on the level of help based on individual circumstances

Decision Timeline

No specific timeframe is published. Applications are reviewed by trustees on a rolling basis, with decisions made based on individual circumstances and Liaison Officer reports. The Fund emphasizes personal contact and thorough assessment rather than rapid processing.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Fund supports over 50 recipients annually.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation. The Fund provides ongoing support to existing recipients, suggesting a relationship-based approach rather than single grants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Fund's documented approach:

• Personal Connection is Critical: The Fund exclusively serves former London Stock Exchange employees and their dependents - eligibility is strictly limited to this community
• Financial Need is the Primary Criterion: The trustees assess “necessitous circumstances” and financial status individually
• Cooperation with Home Visits: The Fund states “The Trustees are very aware of the need for personal contact and the Liaison Officer meets most recipients and new applicants in their homes” - willingness to engage with this personal assessment process is important
• Ongoing Relationship Model: The Fund describes visits as “of a casual nature to offer friendly support and advice when needed” - they provide sustained support rather than one-off grants
• Individual Circumstances Matter: Grant levels are determined "on an individual's circumstances" rather than fixed amounts
• Transparency About Financial Situation: The detailed assessment process requires openness about financial status and specific needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Strict Eligibility: Only former London Stock Exchange or member firm employees and their dependents qualify - no exceptions
• Personal, Not Formulaic: This Fund takes a highly individualized approach with home visits and personalized assessment - not a standardized application process
• Relationship-Based Support: The emphasis on the Liaison Officer relationship and ongoing support suggests they value long-term engagement over transactional grants
• Multiple Support Types Available: Be prepared to discuss both immediate one-off needs and ongoing monthly support requirements
• Patient Process: No rapid decision timelines published - expect a thorough assessment process
• Trustees Have Industry Knowledge: All trustees come from the stock exchange industry, so they understand the community's specific challenges
• Demonstrates Sustained Commitment: Over 40 years of operation and consistent expenditure shows long-term reliability

References

• Stock Exchange Clerks Fund Official Website -
• Charity Commission Register - Stock Exchange Clerks Fund (286055) - Financial data and governance information
• Charity Choice - Stock Exchange Clerks Fund Profile - Charity overview