The Company of Entrepreneurs Trust is delighted to announce that Freeman Entrepreneur Jat Wasu has become its fifth Patron. He is already a 2020 Principal Benefactor.

Having qualified as a chartered accountant, Jatinder Singh Wasu went on to found numerous businesses across a wide variety of areas - including business consultancy, residential property, anaward-winning nursing home, a retail pharmacy, developing a master franchise in pizzas, and ticketing for events. Professionally he served as a member of the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants - the governing body of Chartered Accountants. Jat served this honorary role as Non-Exec/Trustee for over 15 years andserved on numerous national committees.

Jat has a strong belief in giving back to society, and, through the Wasu Foundation, supports many charities, particularly in health. He was for a decade the Chairman of Operation Eye Sight, a leading Canadian Eye Charity. He is an active Liveryman Chartered Accountant and a key member of the Company of Entrepreneurs’finance committee. He is a benefactor and supporter of the RAF Benevolent Fund, and he is currently proactively working to distribute over four million free meals to Londoners over the next year.

His patronage of the Trust is further proof of his lively support for the City of London and his determination to bring the opportunities of entrepreneurship to all. By supporting the Trust’s permanentendowment, he has created a living legacy to improve enterprise skills and business education.

The Company of Entrepreneurs has a target of increasing the value of the Trust by September 2024 as part of its qualification to become a Livery Company. It’s well on the way – especially with the generous help of the Patrons and Benefactors. The sooner this target is reached, the sooner the Trust can start making more impactful awards and supporting bigger projects. And make an even bigger difference.

Patrons are invited to take on additional responsibilities. The final meeting of the Trust’s annual Grants Cycle is held in April each year.Patrons meet and are invited to ask questions of the shortlisted applicants for grants this year. Their inquiry and reflections are invaluable to the Trustee Board in drawing its final conclusions. The beneficiaries are presented formally at the Election Court Banquet in the Summer, and the Patrons are encouraged to attend and be recognised for their support. Jat is keen to support the Trust, the work of the Company and to encourage others to give back as much as possible.

Jat joins the Trust’s existing four Patrons, Judith Donovan CBE,The Drapers’ Company, Adèle Thorpe, and Rita W. Bologna