In his capacity as Chairman of the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust, it was Mr Gary Dixon’s pleasure to formally present the Trust’s 2023 Beneficiaries at the Election Court Banquet at Merchant Taylors’ Hall on Friday 7th July.

 

The Chairman of the Trust, Mr Gary Dixon, congratulates the 2023 Beneficiaries
 

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Mr Duncan Simms, explains the charity’s objectives
 

Hatch Enterprise is a charity (1161801) that supports entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to launch and grow a business. Since 2014, Hatch has supported close to 8,000 founders, through community events, mentoring, and in-depth programmes such as Hatch Launchpads, Incubators and Accelerators, on their journey to build sustainable, impactful businesses. The Company of Entrepreneurs has pledged further support to Hatch through the Outreach Committee - tasking Freemen Entrepreneurs as mentors and judges to work on participants’ pitching skills.
 
On behalf of Hatch Enterprise, Head of Philanthropy Rosie Pannell accepted a grant of £2,500 to support the delivery of Hatch’s mentoring programme for aspirant entrepreneurs. This grant covers a range of administration, infrastructure, and marketing needs to increase the reach and impact of its work.

 

Rosie Pannell (Head of Philanthropy, Hatch Enterprise) with the Chairman
 

Five Talents UK is a charity (1113969) founded in 1998 as a practical means of combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Its specialism is working with marginalised communities through microfinance and entrepreneurship - particularly with women.

On behalf of Five Talents, CEO Rachel Lindley and Charlie Harvey accepted a grant of £2,500. This grant will be used to purchase, run, and maintain a motorcycle, which the charity uses to reach rural communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This co-branded initiative has been match-funded by another donor, to further enhance the impact of Five Talents' programme in these communities.
 

Rachel Lindley (CEO, Five Talents UK) and Charlie Harvey (Director of Trusts Fundraising, Five Talents UK) with the Chairman

Mr Dixon praised the diligent and valuable work of these two charities to date, and looked forward with anticipation to learning about the impact of the Trust’s funding when Hatch and Five Talents report back to the Trustee Board in October. As Master Entrepreneur, he was ensuring that the talents and experience of Freemen Entrepreneurs was being deployed wherever possible in support of the financial generosity of the Trust.
 
 
NOTES: The Company of Entrepreneurs Trust (England & Wales number 1166513) was established in 2016. In keeping with the charitable obligations of the City of London’s Livery Companies, the Trust focusses on financing charities and projects that support the development of entrepreneurs and help to bring the opportunities of entrepreneurship to all. It runs an annual cycle of grant applications and funding, and has awarded tens of thousands of pounds to individuals, organisations, and other charities.

Its Patrons are Judith Donovan, CBE, The Drapers’ Company, Adèle Thorpe, Rita W. Bologna, Jat Wasu and Bernard Howard.

Entrepreneurship can, and does, make a positive difference to the lives of individuals, communities and society. With the help of its donors and supporters, the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust is playing a vital role in promoting the education and skills of those who will become future wealth creators and employers. Please ask the Clerk for more details of how you can support the Trust.
 
All images The Company of Entrepreneurs © Jonathan Cherry