The Trust’s Founder: Mr Alfred Woodroffe Benton
The Woodroffe Benton Foundation was set up as a registered charity in November 1988 by Mr Alfred Woodroffe Benton (19th June 1904 to 2nd December 1989), a successful lawyer and astute investor, who was born and brought up in Heanor, Derbyshire.
Mr Benton endowed the Foundation with £2.5 million in 1988. Due to skilled investment and additional funds from the S Wolf Foundation, Belthle Foundation and Ifield Park Care Home, this has grown to over £11 million to date. Grants totalling over £7.5 million were made by the Foundation in the period from its inception to date.
Mr Benton was a family lawyer in the East End of London with an office on Bow Road. He was a great listener and an astute decision maker.
As a client of Argenti Hope, stockbrokers, I used to check prices for him before the days of digital services. I soon realised he was a very well informed and inquisitive investor, and I learned a lot from his approach to share selection.
Over the years Mr Benton advised me and I was delighted when he asked me to become a Trustee of his Charity but sadly he died shortly after we were granted Charitable status and I was appointed Chairman and I hope I have led the Foundation in following his principles: “Listen, Distil, Decide”.
He stressed that it was important to do your due diligence but not to dictate how a grant should be applied so we often give unrestricted funding.
James Hope – Founder Trustee of the Woodroffe Benton Foundation
Mr Benton’s approach to philanthropy was “I will help those that help themselves”. He was generous to those that help themselves. You know, those that just came begging he just ignored. But those who came and said “I need £1,000 for this, I have raised £500, can you help me”, he would help. That's the sort of approach he took to philanthropy.
Mr Benton was a millionaire, but he didn't get his millions by being a solicitor. He got his millions by shrewd investment on the Stock Exchange.
Colin Russell – Founder Trustee of the Woodroffe Benton Foundation
He had a knack of making money, not just for himself but for his friends, asking for nothing in return. He had his finger in so many pies…he had nothing else you see, apart from cruising, law, golf, Carmen (Livery Company) and I have to say his family.
Gill Wood – Mr Benton’s daughter