Savoy Educational Trust

The Savoy Educational Trust, founded in 1961 by directors of The Savoy Hotel Ltd, is an independent UK charitable trust dedicated to advancing education and skills in the hospitality industry. Originating from hospitality leadership to build a talented workforce pipeline, it evolved from a long-term endowment funded by Savoy Hotel share sales in 1998, now managed collaboratively with The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. Guided by values of social justice, talent nurturing, and education as a driver of social mobility and excellence, it strategically invests in sustainable impact for public benefit, with a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

It funds projects enhancing hospitality education, training, qualifications, and professional development for young people, aspiring entrants, and existing workers across the UK. Priorities include scholarships, industry competitions, facility upgrades, and collaborations addressing recruitment, retention, and upskilling, awarded to schools, colleges, universities, industry associations, charities, CICs, and social enterprises. Beneficiaries span children, youth, and professionals, with examples like support for HIT Scotland and scholarships for underrepresented groups.

Eligible applicants are UK-based academic institutions, registered charities, CICs, or social enterprises (non-profits with at least one year’s accounts); no income thresholds apply, but projects must demonstrably serve UK hospitality, including Crown Dependencies. Typical grants range £2,000–£50,000 (most under £20,000), including project, capital, equipment, and rare core costs or multi-year awards (up to three years), often requiring 10–50% match funding. Unsolicited applications via online form; next deadline 21 October 2025 (5pm) for December meeting. Exclusions: for-profits, feasibility studies, retrospectives, generic appeals. Distinctive for its laser-focus on hospitality education, professional governance, and transformative industry-education links.