The existence and wealth of the Barcapel Foundation as it is today is thanks to the sale of a family business. Scottish Animal Products manufactured petfoods, and was a relatively recent addition to the activities of Robert Wilson & Sons (1859) Limited, but after a period of spectacular growth in the 1950s when the two main brands Kennomeat and Kattomeat achieved a 20% share of the market, the company was sold to rival manufacturers, Spillers, in 1964.
R Clement Wilson, the chairman of the company, established the Clement Wilson Foundation in 1965 with funds provided by the Clement Wilson Trust. The aims and objectives of the Barcapel Foundation today are very closely linked with the original charitable ambitions of the Clement Wilson Foundation.
Also in 1965, Clement Wilson’s brother, Andrew Wilson, established the Truth Research Foundation with funds from the sale of the family business. In line with Andrew Wilson’s pioneering philosophies, the Truth Research Foundation was a visionary charity with ambitions well ahead of its time, particularly in the field of integrated health and complementary medicine.
In 1994 the family combined the assets of the Wilforge Foundation (the Clement Wilson Foundation had been renamed) and the Truth Research Foundation to form the Barcapel Foundation. Clement Wilson’s eldest son, Robert (Dickie) Wilson chaired the foundation from its incorporation until his untimely death in 2006. The current chairman of Barcapel, also called Robert, is Dickie’s eldest son and Robert Clement Wilson’s eldest grandson.
Robert Wilson, Chairman- Robert was appointed Chairman in 2006. He is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, has attended Harvard Business School, and has enjoyed a long and successful career in homeopathic medicine, as Managing Director and now Chairman of Nelsons.
Jed Wilson- Jed currently lives in Central London. He is the Principal of Wilson Wealth, a leading wealth advisory business. Jed has an international finance background, worked professionally in Canada, USA and Switzerland. Before moving abroad, he spent several years in the City and prior to this enjoyed a distinguished career in the Corporate Travel industry including running his own successful luxury travel business for over a decade. He has been a Trustee of Barcapel since 1996.
Clement Wilson- Clement joined the board in 2002, and works as a freelance journalist, writer as well as IT consultant. He is actively supportive of charitable endeavours in the arts and literature fields, particularly those involving young people.
Amanda Richards- Amanda was appointed to the Board in 2009. A graduate of Caius College Cambridge, she is a qualified solicitor and currently works as legal counsel at Nickelodeon. She is R Clement Wilson’s granddaughter.
Hermione Wilson- Hermione graduated from Edinburgh University with First Class honours before completing a Masters in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS achieving Distinction. She now is on the Civil Service Fast Stream, currently working for the Ministry of Justice in Legal Aid while living in London. She has a keen interest in charitable affairs, with a particular interest in sexual violence and modern slavery.
Mia McCartney - Mia takes care of the day to day administration of the foundation. Prior to joining Barcapel she worked for the Local Authority in a business support capacity for many years. She is the first point of contact for all dealings with Barcapel and is available by telephone on 0131 381 8111 or email: admin@barcapelfoundation.org, Monday – Wednesday, 10am – 4.30pm.
Every donation over £20,000 is evaluated by a team of assessors who operate independently from the board making recommendations based on their own judgements and findings.
Our three priority areas of interest for funding are health, heritage and youth.
HEALTH - all areas of medicine and healing are supported by the foundation, with a particular interest in complementary and alternative therapies.
HERITAGE - we are committed to preserving and protecting our artistic and cultural heritage, especially with reference to the built environment.
YOUTH - the foundation supports all areas of development for young people especially those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
Application Form (59.5 KiB)
- To apply for a grant, in the first instance please download this form, complete it concisely and return it with a covering letter to Barcapel HQ.
