About Us
History
Charles Sykes started his career as a twelve-year-old office boy. He became a successful businessman in the West Riding knitting wool trade with his own four-storey mill at Princeville, Bradford.
He never forgot his humble beginnings and pledged that if he ever became wealthy, he would help those who had not been as fortunate as himself.
He achieved his life ambition on 16 December 1954 when, in his eighty-second year, he launched the Charles Sykes Trust. He died in 1967 aged ninety-four and his widow Elsie continued his charitable work for which she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
The Trust was renamed following her death in 1987 in recognition of her considerable contribution.
Governance
The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust was originally an unincorporated association governed by a Trust Deed and Scheme. To modernise the constitution, the Trust became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in September 2023.
The original capital sum of the Trust has been increased over the years by substantial donations from various sources including Mr and Mrs Sykes and by active, effective and prudent investments.
The Trusts approach to investment is the preservation and enhancement of the real value of the capital and income of the Trust by investment in a well-diversified portfolio of high quality and easily negotiable financial assets, which are reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Capital Donations, Bequests and Grants
The Trust is still willing to receive donations, from any person(s) or organisation(s) that wish to support its good work by donating permanent capital or leaving a bequest.
More information on how to donate can be found on our FAQ page.
Grants are awarded to qualifying, active, effective and prudently run charities by a team of Trustees on a quarterly basis and within the original principles and preferences of Charles and Elsie Sykes when setting the criteria for grant making.
More information on grant applications can be found on our FAQ page.
The Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1204728
Est. 16 December 1954
Trustees
Mr David Mead (Chair)
Mrs Sara L Buchan, Mr David J Leinhardt, Mrs Nicola J G Mercer, Ms Elaine Morrison
Dr Beth Rimmer, Mr Sean Rushton, Mr Nicholas C Rust, Mr Richard J Newton
Secretary
Mr Neil Shaw
LCF Law Limited
First Floor, The Exchange, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1TS
Administrator
Trust Administration Team
LCF Law Limited
First Floor, The Exchange, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 1TS
Email: Trust Administration Team
Treasurer
Mr John Garbutt
DSC Accountants
Tattersall House, East Parade, Harrogate HG1 5LT
Auditors
HPH Accountants LLP
21 Victoria Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 5RD