The Trustees of John Watson’s Trust (Scottish Charity SC014004) are looking to recruit three new trustees in early 2025. John Watson’s Trust is a grant-making educational charity which supports children and young people in Edinburgh and the Lothians aged 21 and under whose education has been threatened or hindered by poverty, disadvantage or ill health.

Each of the three trustees will be a Writer to the Signet. Two trustees are sought for the John Watson’s Trust Grants Committee which meets five times per year disbursing grants to individual young people, organisations and schools. The current budget is approximately £110,000.00 annually. One trustee is sought for the Finance Committee which oversees the management of the Trust’s investment portfolio. The Finance Committee meets four times a year. All meetings are currently held in person at the Signet Library (or online) on Tuesdays during office hours. It is anticipated that trustees will serve a term of five years before seeking re-appointment.

Time commitment is limited to preparation for and attendance at trustee meetings and committee meetings. The day-to-day operations including grant making and finance administration is managed by James Hamilton and Sophie Mills WS.

This is a great opportunity to become involved in the lives and futures of deprived young people living in and around the Scottish capital and to make a real difference to their futures.

John Watson’s Trust has an ancient association with the WS Society, being the successor to John Watson’s Institution, the Edinburgh school endowed by the bequest of John Watson WS (d. 1762).

More information on the charity can be found here.

For more information or to submit a note of interest, please contact Clerk and Treasurer Sophie Mills WS.