Esh Group has announced that it has established a Charitable Trust worth £1 million.   ‘The Esh Charitable Trust’ will run for at least the next five years during which time the Group intends that it will donate approximately £200,000 annually into the Charity.

The Trust is intended to reflect the culture and values of the Company; that of a local business which cares about its people, its community, its marketplace and its Region.  Reinvestment in the North East is a long-standing principle at Esh Group.

The specific objectives of the Charity will be to fund ‘good causes’ in the North of England such as:

• environmental work – including protection, education and awareness
• provision of skills and training to young people and disadvantaged people
• supporting our communities

A range of different awards values will be made annually, ideally including a flagship project of approximately £100,000, a small number of awards of up to £10,000 and a larger number of awards of up to £1,000.

Austin Donohoe, Non-executive Chairman of Esh Group, explained;
 ‘We are delighted to announce the launch of this fund.   Esh Group has grown over the years as a result of many things: hard work, timely opportunities and a good deal of help from others too.

‘The Trust is a structured way of reinvesting in the community – a fulfillment of the vision and commitment we have, both as a business and as individuals, for our region.  Our ambition is that this Charitable Trust will underpin and further the efforts of those who share our ideals and principles.

‘Construction is not usually regarded as glamorous – but we at Esh know how essential, exciting and rewarding our efforts can be.  It would be nice to think that this character could be reflected in the projects which are chosen for support by the Trust – a champion for unsung heroes perhaps?’

The Trust will be governed by an independent board of up to twelve trustees which will sanction awards.  Michael Hogan and Jack Lumsden, both founder directors of Esh Group, and Tony Carroll Jnr, son of co-founder of Lumsden & Carroll, Tony Carroll Snr., will serve on the Trust Board together with Sir Bobby Robson, Austin Donohoe of Esh Group and St Cuthberts Care, Karen Humble of Karen Gray Limited, Durham County Councillor, Don Ross, Douglas Emmerson of J & G Archibald Limited, John Flynn of Dickinson Dees, Eric Morgan of Sanderson Weatherall, and Ron Batty, Chief Executive of Chester-le Street and Durham City Development Agency.

Esh Group is well-known for its inclusive polices – such as their innovative employee Share Scheme.  The Charitable Trust will add to that philosophy as a number of employee representatives will serve on the Trust’s Operational Board, including;

• Michael Barrigan, John Davies, Kevin McGargle and Michael Henderson of Lumsden & Carroll
• John Thompson and Susan Walker of Deerness Fencing
• Kevin Young of Dunelm Castle Homes 
• Darren Hardman of Sones Landscaping
• Heather Newell of Dunelm Property Services
• Keith Walker of Bartram Walker
• Lindsay Lowes and Brian Manning of Esh Group itself

Julie Lumsden, daughter of Jack, will be seconded by Esh Group to manage the day to day administration of the Trust.   The County Durham Foundation will receive all applications to the Trust in the first instance and will monitor use of funds and the success of awards granted.