The Robertson Trust was established in 1961 by the Robertson sisters Elspeth, Agnes and Ethel who donated the shares in the businesses, founded and developed by their grandfather and father, to the Trust for charitable purposes. The origins of these businesses, based in Glasgow, stretch back to the 1850’s when William (W.A.) Robertson began business in the city. Keen to ensure their on-going success, the sisters brought them together under the Edrington Group (named after the farm near their home) and established The Robertson Trust.
Today, the Trust controls The Edrington Group, one of Scotland’s largest private companies in the Scotch whisky industry which owns the well known brands: The Famous Grouse, The Macallan, Highland Park and Cutty Sark. In 2008 it acquired a controlling interest in Brugal, a leading brand of rum produced in the Dominican Republic.
When the sisters established the Trust, their purpose was to ensure that the family businesses remained active and independent, and to continue and extend the past support they had given to charities. They were among the first Trustees, serving for a combined total of 71 years, ensuring that the Trust operated along the principles, which they, their father and grandfather had employed in the family business, namely: honesty, integrity and willingness to help people in trouble or need.
Charitable Object
The Robertson Trust is an independent Scottish grant-making Trust (Scottish Charity No: SC002970). The object of the Trust is the provision of financial support for charities as defined by the Law of Scotland.
The Trust Deed confers wide powers on the Trustees to make payments to such charities as the Trustees determine. They have chosen to focus on organisations whose work takes place in, or which has a direct impact on Scotland. The Trust aims to identify and support charities, large and small, which can demonstrate that they can deliver measurable outcomes on behalf of the individuals, groups and communities they seek to serve.
Trustees
Sir Ian Good - Chairman Fiona McBain Mark Laing Sandy Cumming CBE |
Staff Team
Director - Kenneth Ferguson Manager, Development & Assessment - Christine Scullion Assessor - Mark McGeachie Administrator - Lydia Rose Administrative Assistant - DonnaMarie Baxter |
Summary of Financial Year 2010/2011
In the year to March 2011 the Trust committed £11.4 million to 559 different charities. The majority of these awards will be paid out over the next three years subject to the agreed conditions being met by the recipient charity.
66% of donations made in the year totalling £6.9m were to support the Trust's four priority areas which are Care, Health, Education and Training, Community Arts & Sports.
The Trust received a total of 776 eligible applications in the year to 31 March 2011 and of these 72% received a donation from the Trust