The Brewers' Company General Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1059811

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately £250,000 (2024 expenditure)
  • Part of Broader Network: £2-2.5 million distributed annually across all Brewers' Company charities
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales, with emphasis on City of London and brewing industry causes

Contact Details

Address: Brewers' Hall, Aldermanbury Square, London, EC2V 7HR

Phone: 020 7600 1801

Email: liverysecretary@brewershall.co.uk

Website: www.brewershall.co.uk

Note: The trust does not appear to have a formal public application portal. Prospective applicants should contact the Livery Secretary directly for guidance.

Overview

The Brewers' Company General Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1059811) was registered on 16 December 1996 and operates as the grant-making arm of the Worshipful Company of Brewers, one of London's ancient Livery Companies with origins in 13th century London. In the year ending 31 December 2024, the trust had an income of £199,439 and expenditure of £252,181. The trust forms part of a broader charitable network administered by the Brewers' Company, which collectively distributes around £2-2.5 million annually. The trust's mission focuses on general charitable purposes and the advancement of education, particularly in the science of brewing, fermentation, and distillation. The Brewers' Company was led in 2024-25 by Master Katherine Smart, the first female Master in the Company's history, who serves as Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist at Diageo.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through discretionary grant-making rather than formal application rounds. Recent grants have supported:

  • Education: Brewers' Bursaries at Aldenham School
  • City of London Institutions: Lord Mayor's Appeal, St Paul's Cathedral
  • Brewing Industry Heritage: Pub is the Hub, National Brewery Heritage Trust
  • Veterans and Military: Royal British Legion and various military/veterans charities
  • General Charitable Causes: Supporting young people and those in need

Incorporated Fund

Brewers' Research and Education Fund (BREF): A restricted fund within the trust supporting scientific research and education in the brewing industry. BREF operates on an annual application cycle with applications typically due by 31st March each year.

Priority Areas

  • Education, particularly in brewing sciences and fermentation
  • Young people and youth development
  • Elderly and older people
  • Brewing industry support and heritage preservation
  • City of London charitable causes
  • Veterans and armed services support

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed. As a discretionary grant-maker connected to a Livery Company, funding is likely focused on causes aligned with brewing industry interests, City of London connections, and educational advancement.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustee Structure

The trust operates under a unique governance model with a single corporate trustee: “The Master and Keepers or Wardens and Commonalty of the Mystery or Art of Brewers in the City of London” (appointed 12 December 1996). In practice, this means the Court of the Brewers' Company makes grant decisions collectively.

Current Leadership (2024-25)

  • Master: Katherine Smart (Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist, Diageo) - first female Master in the Company's history
  • Upper Warden: Fergus McMullen (Production & Sales Director, McMullen & Sons)
  • Middle Warden: Stephen Gould (Managing Director, Everards Brewery)
  • Renter Warden: Torquil Sligo-Young (Non-Executive Director, Young's)

The trust maintains documented policies for financial reserves, internal controls, risk management, fund investment, and serious incident reporting.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Brewers' Company General Charitable Trust does not maintain a publicly available application process or online portal. Prospective applicants should:

  1. Contact the Livery Secretary directly at liverysecretary@brewershall.co.uk or call 020 7600 1801
  2. Inquire about current grant-making priorities and whether your organization/cause aligns
  3. Request guidance on submission requirements

For BREF (Brewers' Research and Education Fund) specifically: Applications are accepted annually with a deadline typically around 31st March. The BREF Advisory Committee reviews applications before making recommendations to the Trustee.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made by the Court of the Brewers' Company at their meetings.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. Interested parties should inquire directly with the Livery Secretary.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

Given the limited public information, the following factors appear important based on past grant recipients:

Connection to Brewing Industry: The trust shows clear preference for causes related to brewing, fermentation, distillation, or pub culture (National Brewery Heritage Trust, Pub is the Hub, BREF grants).

City of London Links: Several recipients have City connections (Lord Mayor's Appeal, St Paul's Cathedral), reflecting the Livery Company's civic role.

Educational Focus: The trust's objects specifically emphasize education, particularly in brewing sciences. Educational projects and bursaries feature prominently.

Veterans and Military Support: Multiple grants to Royal British Legion and military charities suggest this as a consistent priority.

Youth Development: The broader Brewers' Company charitable network emphasizes supporting young people.

Recent Grant Examples

  • Brewers' Bursaries at Aldenham School
  • Lord Mayor's Appeal
  • National Brewery Heritage Trust
  • Pub is the Hub
  • Royal British Legion
  • St Paul's Cathedral
  • Various military and veterans charities

Recommendations for Applicants

  1. Establish relevance: Clearly articulate how your cause relates to the brewing industry, City of London, or educational advancement
  2. Make personal contact: Without a formal application system, building a relationship with the Livery Secretary or Court members may be valuable
  3. Research the Company: Understand the Worshipful Company of Brewers' broader mission and current priorities
  4. Consider BREF: If your project involves brewing science research or education, the Brewers' Research and Education Fund may be more appropriate than the general charitable trust
  5. Be patient: As a discretionary grant-maker, the timeline and process may be less structured than other funders

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No formal application process: This is a discretionary grant-maker; personal contact and relationship-building are likely important
  • Brewing connection helps: Projects related to the brewing industry, pub culture, or fermentation sciences appear to have strong alignment
  • Modest individual grants: With £252,181 in annual expenditure distributed across multiple recipients, individual grants are likely relatively small (likely under £50,000 each)
  • Part of larger network: The trust is one of several Brewers' Company charities distributing £2-2.5 million collectively; other funds within the network may be more suitable for certain projects
  • Education emphasis: Educational projects, particularly those benefiting young people or advancing brewing sciences, align well with stated objectives
  • City and military causes favored: Track record shows support for City of London institutions and military/veterans charities
  • Contact first: Given the lack of public guidance, reaching out to the Livery Secretary before investing time in a detailed proposal is advisable

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