The Bmta Trust

Charity Number: 273978

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £170,000 (2023)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Up to £1,000 (typically)
  • Average Grant: £1,020 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Wales, and Scotland)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via online application

Contact Details

  • Website: https://bmtatrust.org.uk/
  • Email: enquiries@bmtatrust.org.uk
  • Phone: 020 7315 4142
  • Address: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London

Overview

The BMTA Trust (registered charity 273978) was established in 1967 when the British Motor Trade Association, founded in 1913, converted its remaining assets into a charitable fund. Formally recognized as a charity in 1982, the Trust has evolved from a powerful trade regulatory body into an organization dedicated to supporting individuals in the automotive sector. With total income of approximately £199,533 (2024) and annual giving of £170,000 (2023), the Trust provides targeted financial support to help individuals overcome barriers to education, training, and employment in the motor industry. In 2023, the Trust refocused its approach to particularly target young people, offering grants that empower them to pursue training and unlock their full potential in the automotive sector.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Welfare and Training Grants: £100 - £1,000 (typically capped at £1,000, though flexible based on merit and evidence of need)

  • One-off grants to support education, training, or employment goals in the motor industry
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis via online application form
  • Focus on individuals who receive little or no financial support

Priority Areas

Training and Education

  • Course fees for automotive qualifications
  • Professional development and upskilling
  • Re-training for electric and hybrid vehicle technologies
  • Support for apprentices entering the motor trade
  • Full-time students pursuing automotive-related degrees

Welfare Support

  • Tool kit costs for apprentices and technicians
  • Travel and subsistence costs
  • Living costs that create barriers to career progression
  • Support for individuals and their dependents with motor industry backgrounds

Target Beneficiaries

  • Apprentices starting careers in the motor industry
  • Adults re-training to meet market demands (particularly electric/hybrid vehicles)
  • Individuals who have been out of the industry and wish to upgrade skills
  • Full-time students in automotive-related programs
  • Young people (16+) committed to motor industry careers

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Trust focuses exclusively on individuals pursuing careers in the motor industry. The Trust does not appear to make grants to organizations or for purposes unrelated to automotive sector training and welfare.

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Alasdair Pearson - Chair of Trustees (appointed 1990)

  • Former senior manager in the Retail Motor Industry with expertise in dealership operations, personnel development, and training
  • Previous roles include President of Scottish Motor Trade Association, Lead Negotiator (Employers) National Joint Council, and Chair of Glasgow Training Group
  • 20 years of experience in primary school governance

Dave Garrett - Trustee

  • Started as an apprentice at VL Churchill Ltd, progressing to Chief Executive of the Garage Equipment Association (2004-2020)
  • “Passionate about encouraging young people to join the motor industry” based on his career journey from apprentice to CEO

Jeremy Dolphin - Trustee

  • Chartered Accountant and former investment banker
  • Responsible for financial and administrative aspects of the Trust, including managing the Trust's relationship with the Charity Commission

Alan Gall - Trustee

  • Chief Executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association

Stuart George James - Trustee (appointed 2022)

  • Director Motor Group

David Edward Main - Trustee (appointed 2017)

  • Other trusteeships include Oakwood Youth Challenge, Foundation Church, and Hurst Bowling Club

The Trust operates with 7 volunteer trustees who receive no remuneration, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing resources for beneficiaries.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The BMTA Trust accepts applications on a rolling basis through an online application form available at bmtatrust.org.uk/application-form.

Application Requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Be a UK resident
  • Receive little or no financial support
  • Be committed to achieving a learning or career goal in the motor industry

Application Guidance:

  • Provide comprehensive background information to improve chances of approval
  • Applications can be saved and completed across multiple sessions on the same device
  • Include supporting documents such as references, payslips, and cost quotes
  • Clearly explain what grant money is needed for and why
  • Be detailed and specific about financial needs
  • The Trust encourages applicants to seek help from tutors, mentors, coaches, or family members if struggling to complete the form

Review Process:

  • Applications are reviewed by the Board of Trustees
  • Each application is considered based on individual merit and evidence of need
  • All data is kept confidential and used only for application purposes

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The Trust operates on a rolling basis, reviewing applications as they are received.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

The Trust's Own Guidance

The BMTA Trust emphasizes that applications should provide comprehensive background information and clear explanations of financial need. According to their application guidance, this is “your opportunity to explain what you need the grant money for and why.”

The Trust has stated that grants can be “generous where there is evidence of need,” indicating that strong evidence of financial barriers and clear connection to motor industry career goals are critical.

Examples of Funded Projects

The Trust has recently supported:

  • Apprentice Tool Kits: Supporting apprentices to purchase professional tools rather than borrowing from colleagues. As one recipient (J from Dorset) noted: "The grant would go towards making me better equipped and not having to rely on borrowing my work colleague's tools."
  • Tuition Fees: Substantial contributions toward university tuition fees for automotive-related degrees. Recipient B from Coventry shared: “The BMTA paid a substantial amount towards my tuition fees, allowing me to complete my studies and earn a 1st class degree.”
  • Self-Reliance at Work: Grants enabling apprentices to become fully self-reliant in their roles, as recipient H from East Sussex stated: “This grant will help and give me the ability to be fully self-reliant at work.”

Key Success Factors

Based on the Trust's materials and funded examples:

  1. Clear Financial Need: Demonstrate that you receive little or no financial support and face genuine barriers
  2. Motor Industry Commitment: Show clear commitment to pursuing or continuing a career in the automotive sector
  3. Specific Costs: Detail exactly what you need funding for (specific tools, course fees, travel costs)
  4. Career Progression: Explain how the grant will help overcome barriers and enable career progression
  5. Supporting Documentation: Include references, payslips, and cost quotes to substantiate your application

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Individual Focus Only: The BMTA Trust exclusively supports individuals, not organizations—applications must come from individuals pursuing motor industry careers
  • Flexible but Focused: While grants typically cap at £1,000, the Trust is flexible and will consider higher amounts based on individual merit and evidence of need
  • Rolling Applications: No fixed deadlines—applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis
  • Comprehensive Applications Win: The Trust explicitly encourages detailed applications with supporting documentation and comprehensive background information
  • Broad Motor Industry Definition: Support extends beyond traditional mechanics to include electric/hybrid vehicle training, degree programs, and various automotive career paths
  • Partnership Approach: Strong relationships with industry associations (IMI, SMTA, IGA, RMI) mean applications may be supported by or come through these networks
  • Evidence of Need is Paramount: Testimonials show successful applicants clearly demonstrated financial barriers and how grants would enable specific career progression

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