Landmark move sees Winn join charitable trust
(PRWEB UK) 19 November 2014 -- Profits from one of the largest firms in the region’s legal sector could be used to help tackle social exclusion in Britain and poverty in Africa following a landmark piece of corporate restructuring.
Accident management firm Winn Solicitors, which employs almost 300 people in Newcastle, is now part owned by a charitable trust after one of its shareholders restructured his business.
Last year Winn sold a 60% stake in the group to high profile investment groups JZ International and Souter Investments – backed by Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Brian Souter.
And now, following changes to the structure of Sir Brian’s shareholding, Winn Solicitors is part owned by the Souter Charitable Trust.
The move means that a portion of profits from Winn Solicitors’ thriving business could be used to support vital causes at home and abroad.
Over the last five years the trust has awarded over 3,200 grants worth more than £32m to crucial projects that relieve human suffering around the world.
Among the many causes it supports is the fight against the world’s biggest killer, malaria, and the supply of daily meals to school children in some of the poorest parts of Africa.
Winn co-founder Jeff Winn, who has overseen the company’s growth from scratch into a £45m-a-year firm over the last 10 years, said: “We’ve always had a strong focus on CSR and backing good causes in the community but this new arrangement gives us an even greater ability to help alleviate suffering across the globe.
“The Souter Charitable Trust has transformed the lives of thousands of people over the years and we’re extremely proud to be part of its inspiring work.”
Lady Elizabeth Souter said: “Souter Investments and The Souter Charitable Trust are delighted to be associated with Winn Solicitors. Part of the rationale for the setting up of Souter Investments was to donate some of the profits generated by successful investments to the charitable trust. This move merely strengthens that association and we look forward to sharing in Winn’s growth over the coming years, which should enable the Souter Charitable Trust to continue to alleviate suffering around the world.”
The trust was set up in 1992 by Sir Brian and his wife Betty who, as Christians, are particularly interested in projects that also promote spiritual welfare.
Winn Solicitors, based in Byker, Newcastle, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of motor accident management services.
In recent months it has launched a number of new services and gained accreditation from Action on Hearing Loss for the quality of its services for hard of hearing people.
Hodda Khaliffa, DDCA, +44 1912650205, [email protected]
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