The John Browne Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,047,203 (2023/24 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (known grants range from ongoing scholarships to £1-2 million for major projects)
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom (priority)
• Total Distributed: Over £3 million since establishment

Contact Details

Website: https://jbct.org.uk

Phone: 020 3375 7000

Address: Farrer & Co, 65-66 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LH

Contact Method: Online contact form available at https://jbct.org.uk/contact-us

Overview

The John Browne Charitable Trust was established over 20 years ago by Lord John Browne of Madingley, former CEO of BP and a prominent figure in engineering, business, and the arts. The trust reflects Lord Browne's personal commitments as an engineer, businessman, patron of the arts, and son of a Holocaust survivor. Over two decades, the trust has distributed more than £3 million to support projects that “make a tangible difference to the lives of people with great potential, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds who may not otherwise have the chance to excel.” The trust maintains long-standing relationships with select universities, cultural institutions, and organizations aligned with its mission, making both regular and one-off grants. In the financial year ending April 2024, the trust had an income of £273,520 and expenditure of £1,047,203.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates across five priority areas:

1. The Natural Environment

Climate change, conservation, and environmental causes reflecting Lord Browne's pioneering recognition of climate risks while CEO of BP.

2. Engineering Science and Practice

Support for engineering education, institutions, and next-generation engineers. The trust maintains connections with the Royal Academy of Engineering, where Lord Browne served as president (2006-2011) and is chairman of trustees for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.

3. Higher Education

University grants advancing social mobility and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds. Known recipients include:

• Murray Edwards College, Cambridge: Over £200,000 since 2005 for Paula Browne Scholarships supporting women from Eastern European countries, plus a £2 million donation for Paula Browne House
• The Courtauld: £1 million donation for the transformation of Somerset House spaces (2021)

4. Visual and Performing Arts

Cultural projects with lasting impact, with over £1 million distributed to arts causes. Known beneficiaries include:

• Tate Modern: Major contribution to the transformational expansion (Lord Browne was Chairman of Tate for a decade)
• Donmar Warehouse Theatre: Regular support for artistic programming (Lord Browne is chairman)

5. Human Rights and Underrepresented Groups

Support for marginalized communities, reflecting Lord Browne's background as the son of a Holocaust survivor and his advocacy for LGBT+ rights.

Priority Areas

The trust actively seeks to fund organizations and projects that demonstrate:

• Geographic focus: Priority given to UK-based organizations
• Area alignment: Engineering, natural environment, or arts
• Long-term commitment: Sustained dedication to the trust's mission
• Support for underrepresented groups: Women, LGBT+ people, low-income households
• Excellence: Supporting brilliant people demonstrating commitment to excellence

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly listed, but the trust operates with clear priority criteria and maintains selective, relationship-based grant-making focused on the five areas outlined above.

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Governance and Leadership

The trust is governed by six trustees with distinguished backgrounds in public service, technology, engineering, and philanthropy:

Baroness Hunter of Auchenreoch (Anji Hunter)

Senior adviser at Edelman specializing in corporate reputation and crisis management. Former Director of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering at the Royal Academy of Engineering. Previously held senior communications roles at BP and Anglo American plc, and served as Head of Government Relations in the Prime Minister's office (1997). Raised to the Peerage in 2025 and sits on the Labour benches.

Dame Antonia Romeo DCB

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice (since January 2021). Former Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade and UK Consul General in New York. Career began in the private sector at Oliver Wyman before joining the Civil Service in 2000. Holds academic qualifications from Oxford, LSE, and Columbia Business School.

Dr Hayaatun Silkem CBE

CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation. Co-chairs the government's Business Innovation Forum and Black Representation in Motorsport Commission. Named among Europe's “Inspiring 50” women in tech. Holds a Masters in Biochemistry and PhD from Cancer Research UK/UCL.

Michael Lynas

Currently leads INTO CareerFirst, an initiative supporting university students' employability. Founded and directed the National Citizen Service Trust, serving over 600,000 young people. Previously advised Prime Minister David Cameron and worked as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. Holds an MA in Politics from Trinity College Cambridge and a Kennedy School of Government masters degree.

Chris Farmer

Manages a family office focused on early and mid-stage technology investments in Europe and North America. Seven years as a management consultant at Bain & Company. Holds an MA (PPE) from Oxford University, where he served as Union President.

Sarah von Schmidt

Lead director of Farrer & Co Trust Corporation and partner at Farrer & Co LLP. Specializes in private client law, including succession planning and philanthropy. Trustee of the UK Board of Freelands Foundation. Holds a Modern History degree from Oxford University.

The trustee board brings together expertise in engineering, public policy, arts administration, technology investment, and philanthropy, reflecting the trust's diverse funding interests.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The John Browne Charitable Trust accepts applications through an online contact form available at https://jbct.org.uk/contact-us. The trust states it “welcomes applications” and reviews them against five criteria: geographic focus (UK priority), alignment with focus areas (engineering, natural environment, arts), long-term commitment to the trust's mission, support for underrepresented groups (women, LGBT+ people, low-income households), and support for excellence.

However, the trust operates primarily through long-standing relationships with select institutions to which it makes regular and one-off grants. Major known grants have been to organizations with which trustees have existing connections (Murray Edwards College, Donmar Warehouse, Tate Modern, The Courtauld, Royal Academy of Engineering).

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The trust does not publish information about board meeting schedules, decision timeframes, or notification methods.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The trust does not publish data on application numbers, awards made, or success percentages.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. No information is available regarding whether unsuccessful applicants may reapply or any waiting periods between applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the trust's selective, relationship-based approach and trustee expertise, the following factors appear critical:

Alignment with Lord Browne's Legacy

The trust explicitly supports "causes associated with [Lord Browne's] life as an engineer, businessman, patron of the arts, and son of a Holocaust survivor." Projects that connect to these themes—particularly engineering innovation, climate leadership, Holocaust memory, LGBT+ rights, or cultural excellence—align with the founder's vision.

Focus on Underrepresented Groups

The Paula Browne Scholarships exemplify the trust's commitment: supporting women from Eastern European countries studying at Cambridge. Projects serving women, LGBT+ people, and low-income households are priority areas. The trust seeks to support people “who may not otherwise have the chance to excel.”

Demonstrated Excellence and Impact

The trust supports “brilliant people with a commitment to excellence” and projects that will “make a tangible difference” and “lasting impact.” Major grants have gone to transformational projects (Tate Modern expansion, Courtauld transformation) rather than general operating support.

Long-term Relationships

Known beneficiaries include institutions with which trustees have direct connections: Murray Edwards College (Lord Browne's alma mater), Donmar Warehouse (where Lord Browne is chairman), Royal Academy of Engineering (where Lord Browne was president and remains involved), and Tate (where Lord Browne was chairman for a decade). Building relationships with trustees or connected organizations may be valuable.

Strategic, Transformational Projects

The trust has made substantial grants (£1 million to The Courtauld, £2 million to Murray Edwards College) for capital projects and strategic initiatives rather than small operational grants. Applications should demonstrate how funding will create lasting change.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-based trust: Major grants have gone to institutions with existing trustee connections. Building relationships with trustees or connected organizations is likely important for success.

• Focus on underrepresented groups is non-negotiable: Women, LGBT+ people, low-income households, and people from underrepresented backgrounds are explicit priorities. Applications must demonstrate how they serve these communities.

• Think transformation, not operations: Known grants support capital projects, scholarships, and strategic initiatives that create lasting impact. The trust appears to favor transformational funding over general operating support.

• Align with the five pillars: Projects must fit within natural environment/climate, engineering, higher education, arts, or human rights. Multi-pillar projects (e.g., engineering education for women from low-income backgrounds) may be particularly compelling.

• Excellence matters: The trust supports “brilliant people with a commitment to excellence.” Applications should demonstrate academic excellence, artistic merit, or professional distinction.

• UK focus: Priority is given to UK-based organizations and beneficiaries. International projects appear limited to specific contexts (e.g., scholarships bringing Eastern European students to UK universities).

• Lord Browne's personal commitments shape priorities: Understanding Lord Browne's career (BP, climate leadership), background (son of Holocaust survivor), identity (LGBT+ advocate), and interests (arts patron, engineering leader) provides insight into what resonates with the trust.

References

• The John Browne Charitable Trust Official Website -
• Trustees of The John Browne Charitable Trust -
• Contact Page - The John Browne Charitable Trust -
• Charity Commission Register - The John Browne Charitable Trust (1088642) -
• The John Browne Charitable Trust donates £1m to Courtauld Connects - The Courtauld -
• New gift to Murray Edwards College honours the late Paula Browne - Support Cambridge -
• Murray Edwards College Postgraduate Funding -
• Current Supporters - Donmar Warehouse -
• Lord Browne Biography -