Page 12 - A4 Journal 2020

The Company

Worshipful Company of Constructors’ Charitable Trust

The Worshipful Company of Constructors’ Charitable Trust is registered as a charity in England and Wales (No 274573). It was
formed in October 1988 as a requirement of the City for the Company of Constructors (then known as the Company of
Builders) to gain Livery status. A minimum capital of £100,000 was required before Livery status could be granted. The
charity is unincorporated and is governed by a Charity Commission Scheme dated 31st July 2002 which replaced the former
trusts of the charity.

The charity’s objects, as set out in the Trust scheme, are:
1. to advance education, training and research in the construction industry (which shall include in particular, but not
exclusively, building, civil engineering, architecture, surveying, engineering services and facilities management and
procurement) in particular by awarding certificates, diplomas and other distinctions and establishing and maintaining
scholarships, grants and awards to individuals;
2. the relief of persons in need, hardship or distress who are members of the Company or their dependants. The Trustees
may relieve persons in need by making grants of money to them or providing or paying for goods, services or facilities
for them or making grants of money to other persons or bodies who provide goods, services or facilities to those in
need.
3. for other charitable purposes as the trustees may from time to time decide.

Under the revised Trust Deed all income is required to be disbursed or held in restricted funds for disbursement
Scholarships are ongoing and the Trustees, in conjunction with the Charity Committee and the Scholarship and Awards
Committee of the Company, are working on an expansion of these into other disciplines, albeit within the Trust’s objectives.
Likewise Prizes and Awards to educational bodies range from Universities to Craft Colleges and the giving to appropriate City
of London and Construction Charities is fully maintained.
Since 1990 the capital sum for the Trust has been enhanced by capital donations (from members and corporate sponsors of
the Company) and by particular appeals such as the events at the Tower of London and HMS Belfast, and the Millennium
Appeal, which was fully expended.

It is the financial policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be
maintained while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised and future distributions made.
From the outset, the policy of charitable giving has been in line with the constitution of the Trust and since 1990 the Company
has appointed a Scholarships and Awards Committee which has targeted, in particular, educational and training scholarships
and awards in the construction industry and allied professions. This is an ongoing commitment for the future and the original
scholarships and awards are now being enhanced by further awards to cover the breadth of the disciplines within the ambit of
constructors The Trustees therefore ensure that the income from capital is sufficient to meet these commitments now, and
in the future, and to increase them where appropriate in monetary terms and also with appropriate new awards in the future.
To meet these aims the Trust’s policy on distribution of income is to distribute donations of an income nature. All specific (or
restricted) funds raised by appeals at dinners, or otherwise, are disbursed in full.
Despite the rigors of lockdown, the Charitable Trust has continued to disburse its usual donations and awards during the year.
It also gave extraordinary consideration to those organisations that were responding to the pandemic, setting aside funds
that have accrued from wise investment, and are over and above the normal funds, to make contributions to the pan-livery
NHS kitchen initiative, the Livery schools iPad initiative and the London First Responders, although this donation is
outstanding pending further details. These were the initial recipients and there may well be more as there are still funds
available from the trustees overall extraordinary provision. During the year the Charitable Trust has also identified “Building
Heroes” as a construction centric foundation doing valuable work for ex-military people to train them and get them into work
within the construction industry. Not only has the Charitable Trust identified “Building Heroes” for funding this year, but it
expects to make a provision next year.

As with all organisations, the Charitable Trust continues to evolve, and it has identified Dr Paul Shepherd as its incoming Chair
following the decision by HCA Ken Kent to retire from his post as Chairman. HCA Bob Heathfield has also joined the Trust.

Ken Kent has been a much respected Chairman of the Trust for some years now and will be a hard act to follow. As Paul
Shepherd said at the virtual Common Hall 2020, “He has shouldered much of the burden of the operation personally and
given the most committed and diligent service. He has given his time freely and has asked for no expenses. There is
absolutely no doubt that without Ken’s contribution the Trust would not be in the strong position that it is today.”

Ken remains a member of the Trust and will no doubt continue to offer them his wise counsel and support.

Page 12 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2020