John Spedan Lewis Foundation

The John Spedan Lewis Foundation was set up in 1964 at the instigation of the Central (now Partnership) Council to commemorate the life of our Founder, John Spedan Lewis.

Dion Devey at Kew Gardens

In 2007 Dion Devey was awarded the Harold Frank Layzell Doctoral Fellowship in Plant Sciences

At its meeting on 18 March 1963 the Council recommended to the then Chairman, Mr Bernard Miller (later Sir Bernard) that he should 'consult with the President of the Council upon ways to 'mark the Partnership's gratitude for the Founder's work on behalf of Partners past and present'. The result was the establishment of the John Spedan Lewis Foundation, a registered charity. Over a period of 10 years the Council contributed £15,000 per annum from its own allocation to form a trust fund. The income from the fund is used to support charitable causes which reflect Spedan's particular interests, most notably horticulture, ornithology, entomology and associated research and educational projects.

The fund is administered by five Trustees, two of whom are ex-officio, one is elected by the Partnership Council and the other two are elected by the Trustees.

Applications and enquiries 

Applications to the Foundation are considered twice a year, normally in June and November. Enquiries or submissions should be made to the Secretary of the Foundation at the following address:

John Spedan Lewis Foundation
Partnership House
Carlisle Place
London SW1P 1BX