About Us

The Wood Family Trust was established by Sir Ian Wood and his immediate family and officially launched on the 14th September 2007.

The Wood Family Trust (WFT) will aim to invest £50 million into economic, community and enterprise activities in Sub Saharan Africa and the UK with the aim to develop and support individuals to become independent, contributing and caring members of society. We are a Scottish based Trust with a Global Outlook.

We aim to be an open, intelligent, and thoughtful funder and we recognise that money alone will not solve some of society’s greatest inequalities. We apply the principles of venture philanthropy, investing both money and expertise to achieve systemic change within our chosen areas. 

WFT either leads projects or takes an active supporting role with strategic partners.  We are always engaged in the principles of the project, the initial due diligence, the development of the implementation plan, and the establishment of pragmatic performance evaluation.

WFT has the ability to utilise a range of financing tools within its philanthropic programmes ranging from grants, contracts with consultants, debt, equity and loans.