About us
Friends Provident Foundation is an independent charity that makes grants and uses its endowment towards a fair and sustainable economic system that serves people and planet. We connect, fund, support and invest in new thinking to shape a future economy that works for all.
Since 2004, we’ve pioneered the creation of fair economy for a better world. Already, we’ve helped improve access to financial services for people who were once excluded and supported the development of resilient economic communities across the UK.
We’re a catalyst for wider change, making an impact through continuous experimentation and shared learning. And we do all we can to embody the change we want to see. We invest in great social enterprises and use our money in line with our values.
Tomorrow, we’ll continue to fund more new thinking, connect new ideas, invest our capital in line with our aims and values and create better systems so that in the future, the economy will serve both people and planet.
Our History
Friends Provident Foundation was formed in 2004, following the demutualisation of Friends’ Provident Life Office and the flotation of Friends Provident plc. Our first board of trustees included several Quaker members, and the Quaker values of equality, justice and stewardship, remain central to our ethos.
Annual Reports
Our people
Find out more about our Trustees, our Advisory Board, Contributors, Associates and the staff team at Friends Provident Foundation. We’re fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge, expertise and backgrounds amongst our team members and associates, who make our work possible.
Work with us
We are committed to recruiting a diverse and talented workforce as we continue to disrupt and aim to create a fairer and more sustainable economic system. If you think you’ve got something to offer us, please take a look at our current opportunities via the link below.
Equity and Social Justice
We believe that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is central to our efforts to build a fair economy. Our goal of transforming the economic system means that we are addressing a system underpinned by the marginalisation of black, LGBTQIA+ and disabled people; the undervaluing of the contributions of women; and the unequal hoarding of wealth.
DEI must also needs to be central to how we operate including staff and Trustee recruitment and management, investment management and engagement, grantmaking, communications and our relationships with the wider community.
Our DEI plan outlines where we are in the development of our DEI work strategically and in terms of our internal operations, grantmaking and wealth management.
Pay gap
Chief executives now typically earn 129 times more, including pensions and bonuses, than their employees. Reflecting our focus on pay transparency, we’re committed to publicising the pay ratios of Friend’s Provident Foundation employees. In line with NCVO guidance, the ratio between the highest salary (£89,915) and the median salary (£32,130) is 2.8:1. The ratio of the top salary to the lowest is 3.5:1. These calculations are based on full-time equivalent salaries, net of salary sacrifice deductions.
Figures taken from our Annual Report for the year ending 30 September 2022
Climate emergency declaration
Friends Provident Foundation acknowledges that maintaining the status quo poses a grave risk of a climate catastrophe. Without rapid and far-reaching changes in energy, land use, transport, buildings, industry, and the economic system itself, we are on a path towards climate catastrophe and mass extinction.