The Loughton based Charitable Trust was established in September 1959 by Charles French, Chairman of the former Buckhurst Hill civil engineering and construction company W&C French. The original settlement included £500 together with interests in farming land in Buckhurst Hill and Loughton.
In the early years under the leadership of its first Chairman Sir Arthur Noble (former Managing director of W&C French) the Trust’s assets grew, partly through bequests from the French family, and also from the construction of the M11 motorway through land owned by the Trust. The Board’s second Chairman, Robert Thomas, a well known and respected resident of Loughton, continued the development and growth of the Trust until his death in 2007. During this time the Trust acquired commercial premises in Loughton, a small part of which provides our current office base. From 2007 until 2025, the board of Trustees was chaired by Willam Noble, son of Sir Arthur Noble. Under William’s watchful eye the Trust’s assets steadily increased in value to around £12million, the income from which is used to support many worthwhile good causes in NE London and Essex in line with our founder’s wishes. Over the past 10 years the Trust has proudly distributed over £4.39million to a wide spectrum of local charitable organisations awarding around 140 grants each year. William Noble retired as Chairman and Trustee in 2025 having left the Trust on a very strong and stable footing with the role of Chair now being passed to Eddie Cook
Our Founder – Charles French