The Trust will be governed overall by an independent Board of up to twelve trustees which will sanction awards. These individuals have been chosen because of their own contribution to the Region and their willingness to give freely of their expertise for such a worthwhile cause.

The Trustees are:

Austin Donohoe, Chairman of Esh Group and Executive Director of St Cuthberts Care

Michael Hogan and Jack Lumsden both founder directors of the Esh Group

Tony Carroll Jnr, son of co-founder of Lumsden & Carroll, Tony Carroll Snr.

Ron Batty, Chester-le Street & Durham City Development Agency

Douglas Emmerson of J & G Archibald Limited

John Flynn of Dickinson Dees

Karen Humble of Karen Gray Limited

Eric Morgan of Sanderson Weatherall

Brian Manning, Esh Group

Brian Walker, Durham County Council