British Gas Energy Trust and Scottish Gas Energy Trust

Offering help to those trapped in a maze of debt

About Us

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent Charitable Trust. The governance and development of the Trust is overseen by a group of unpaid Trustees drawn from across the UK. The Trustees meet on a quarterly basis.

The administration of the Trust is undertaken by Charis Grants Ltd, a company that facilitates charitable and corporate giving to support vulnerable members of society.

Trustees are:

 Mike Lake

Tom Wright CBE (Chairman)

Tom Wright is Group Chief Executive of Age UK, the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged.

Prior to joining Age UK, Tom Wright was CEO for nearly 7 years of VisitBritain and his experience includes the Saga Group, where he was Managing Director of Saga Holidays and a Group Board Director. Tom is also a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum and Chair of the Trading Company. He is Chair of STAR, the self regulating body for the ticketing industry and a member of the new Government Digital Inclusion Task Force.

Tom was awarded a CBE in 2007.

 Harry Cathcart

Henry Cathcart (Treasurer)

Harry Cathcart is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, and has been a Director and Vice-president of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of International Bankers in Scotland. He is currently chairman of an Investment Trust quoted on the London Stock Exchange and other Charitable and Private Trusts
 Barbara Ruffell

Barbara Ruffell

Barbara was a founder member of the Anglian Water Trust Fund and its Chairman for several years and has worked in various fields at local, nations and international level. 
 Jenny Saunders

Jenny Saunders

Jenny Saunders is Chief Executive of National Energy Action which campaigns for the eradication of fuel poverty and delivers major energy efficiency programmes under its subsidiary Community Interest Company Warm Zones. Please see the NEA website for further information
 Helen McLeod

Helen McLeod

Helen McLeod manages a medical research charity, and previously managed the British Gas Energy Trust for the first 3 years of its operation. She has extensive experience in trust and grant management and also has experience in money advice.