Our Trustees bring wide experience and expertise to the Foundation in matters of governance, strategy, and investment management. They are closely involved in the workings of the foundation, setting the grant-making policy and deciding upon which charities receive our funding. The current trustees of the PH Holt Foundation are:

• Nigel Lanceley (Chair)
• Elspeth Christie
• Mike Furniss
• Amy de Joia
• Neil Turner
• Ian Matthews
• Lesley Martin-Wright
• Ken Ravenscroft
• Barbara McDonough
• John Sacker
• Alice Potter
• Caroline Grant

The PH Holt Foundation is named in honour of Philip Henry Holt, who, with his brother Alfred, founded the Ocean Steam Ship Company Ltd. in 1865. The brothers were keen philanthropists, establishing some of Liverpool’s most cherished educational and arts institutions, which endure to this day. Through their support for local causes, they sought to improve everyday life for Liverpudlians and ship workers alike.

After Philip Holt’s death in 1914, Ocean Steam Ship created the first of two charitable trusts that bear his name. The Holt Education Trust was established in 1915, followed in 1955 by The PH Holt Charitable Trust, known today as the PH Holt Foundation.

Philip Holt’s legacy means that to this day we still award grants that build or strengthen communities and have the power to change people’s lives for the better.

Our four core priority themes are:

• Engaging with your community
• Enabling people to overcome barriers
• Widening access to education for all
• Involving excluded groups in the arts

Our Foundation administrator, Anne Edwards, has chosen to retire, sadly leaving us at the end of June 2024. Since assuming her role eleven years ago, Anne has been instrumental to the success of the grant-giving programme, during which time the Foundation has awarded over £5 million in grants to hundreds of charities on Merseyside. 

The Trustees wish to formally express their thanks and appreciation for all the marvellous work she has done over the years. She is highly respected in the charity sector and has been both a supporter and advisor to numerous applicants. 

Along with being incredibly professional and committed, Anne has done an outstanding job for the Foundation. The Trustees wish her the very best for the future and a long and happy retirement. 

Anne is handing over to a new administrator named Lifa Zwimbande, and we welcome her to the Foundation. Please contact Lifa for any support and advice via the usual email address or telephone number.