The Rank Foundation

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The Rank Foundation

The Rank Foundation is a grant giving charitable trust which focuses its work on Leadership and Enterprise.

We operate a model of Engaged Philanthropy, developing meaningful funding relationships with our Network of social sector leaders across the UK. The Rank Foundation continues as the major charitable legacy of J Arthur Rank, Baron Rank (1888-1972), flour miller, film maker and philanthropist. What became the Foundation was established as the J Arthur Rank Group Charity in 1953, with its work contin

uing under the Chairmanship of J Arthur’s son-in-law, Robin Cowen, his grandson, Fred Packard, and, currently, another grandson, Joey Newton. J Arthur Rank’s remarkable success in the fields of flour and film stemmed from his personal qualities of integrity, hard work, decisiveness and a strong strategic sense. Joseph, his father, had started work as a miller in Hull at the age of fourteen and had built a very significant business through astute introduction of new mechanisation and marketing techniques. Arthur worked in many areas of his father’s company before his ambulance and signalling service on the Western Front in the First World War: after the War, he took on senior roles and became joint managing director in 1933. In the same year, he began the other great strand of his working life when he founded the Religious Films Society. Early conflicts with film distributors convinced him that he must become his own exhibitor as well as producer. By 1946, J Arthur Rank’s film operation owned five studios, two newsreels and 650 cinemas, employing 31,000 people and with a turnover of £45 million. The wealth from Arthur’s film companies provided the basis for the endowment which has enabled the Foundation to make charitable grants for over sixty years. Arthur Rank’s strong simple faith echoed that of his father, who was a committed Methodist. He walked round his garden every morning of his life, saying his prayers, and he declared “I am in films because of the Holy Spirit”. His daughter, Shelagh, wrote of “one of the clearest memories of my father, during the War, seeing him set forth, come rain or shine, his overcoat streaming behind him as he bicycled to Sunday School in Reigate Methodist Church School”. His faith lay behind his concern to help others, especially young people, whom he regarded as “the seed corn of the future and the leaders of tomorrow”.

01/06/2026

We've officially kicked off this year's Time to Shine programme with launch conferences in Liverpool, Bristol, and Durham! 🌟

Over the past few weeks, we've welcomed 54 Time to Shine Leaders from across the UK. It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm, energy, and excitement as they began their leadership journey together!

This year also marks the first cohort under our new programme timeline, with the programme now running from April to the following March.

Across the 2-day residential conferences, Leaders connected with peers from a wide range of organisations and communities, explored topics such as leading with a growth mindset and trauma-informed working.

We were also delighted to welcome former Leaders, who shared their leadership journeys, top tips, and reflections on how the programme supported both their professional and personal growth. Their stories were a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of leadership development, peer support and meaningful connections.

A huge thank you to everyone who made these events possible, including our programme and events team, facilitators, guest speakers, T2S Managers, and, of course, our brilliant T2S Leaders!

👉 Learn more about and how the programme supports emerging social sector leaders: rankfoundation.com/our-approach/leadership/time-to-shine/

04/05/2026

What does it feel like to grow and step into your potential?

For James McBride, part of the Rank Aspire Programme 2025, it started with stepping into the unknown and quickly finding confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

From travelling to Leeds and building skills in communication and leadership, to climbing inside a slate mine in the Lake District (hailstorm included), James reflects on a journey that’s been both challenging and rewarding.

👉 Read James’ story on our website: https://rankfoundation.com/leadership/growing-through-the-rank-aspire-programme/

👉 Learn more about the programme: https://rankfoundation.com/our-approach/leadership/rank-aspire-programme/

24/04/2026

It was great to have People's Health Trust, one of our coworking space members, join us for an informative and interactive Members’ Share & Connect session over lunch! 🤩

These sessions are a great way to bring people together, helping them connect and get to know one another across the space. This is what our space is about, and it’s always encouraging to see connections forming and conversations flowing.

We heard from CEO John Hume about the Trust’s work to address health inequalities and support communities to live longer, healthier lives. Their approach focuses on the “building blocks of health”, such as decent housing, good work, clean air, access to nature, and quality education, working alongside communities to tackle the conditions that lead to poor health.

We also had time for open discussion, thoughtful questions, and shared reflections across the room.

A big thank you to the team for joining us and to everyone who took part!

To learn more about our coworking space and current offers, visit rankfoundation.com/coworking-space or email us at [email protected]. We’d love to welcome you! 😊

14/04/2026

What happens when young people decide how funding for their peers is used?

In this piece, Jen McKevitt, our Associate for Sunderland and the North East, and Liz Wylie, our Place-Based Programme Officer, reflect on participatory grant making through the Connecting Futures fund in , where young people helped decide how funding is used in their own communities.

As Jen reflects: "When young people from Hendon or other parts of Sunderland are trusted to help decide how half a million pounds is invested in their city, power shifts and opportunity becomes real.”

Together with our learning, this offers a deeper look at what it means to be a relational funder in practice.

👉 Read the full blog: rankfoundation.com/place-based-news/learning-from-participatory-grant-making-in-sunderland

👉 Find out more about Connecting Futures: rankfoundation.com/sunderland/sunderland-500k-grants-awarded-for-youth-jobs/

👉 Read more about our participatory grant making in Plymouth: rankfoundation.com/place-based-news/learning-from-participatory-grant-making-in-plymouth

02/04/2026

🐣 is just around the corner, and we marked the moment with a joyful gathering in our coworking space!

It was a great chance for our space users to connect and enjoy a few egg-citing games along the way. Congratulations to our winners from Tutors United and Blind in Business, who took home a full jar of chocolate and some extra treats!

Thank you to everyone who joined the fun. Wishing you all a happy and restful Easter!

🌸 As we step into a warmer, brighter spring, we’re also pleased to extend our existing offers until 30 June 2026:

🏷️ 50% off all meeting rooms every Friday
🏷️ Exclusive Hot Desk offer: Buy 5, get 1 free. Buy 10, get 2 free

👉 Book now: rankfoundation.com/coworking-space/

To learn more about our coworking space, visit rankfoundation.com/coworking-space/ or email us at [email protected]. We’d love to welcome you! 😊

23/03/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined our recent annual Fellowship Futures event, hosted at our London coworking space! 🌟

Aimed at current university students and recent graduates, the event focused on navigating the often challenging transition from education into employment. As always, it was an energising occasion, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a talented and proactive community of young people putting themselves forward in a competitive and evolving job market.

A special thank you to Stuart Wilson for chairing, Felix Haynes for his thoughtful and relatable reflections on navigating early careers, and Gail Sampson for her practical, straight-talking advice on applying for jobs in an AI-shaped world. We’re also grateful to our fantastic panel for sharing their journeys so openly, and of course, to our team behind the scenes who made the evening run so smoothly.

To learn more about the event, read the full write-up on our website: rankfoundation.com/fellowshipnews/fellowship-futures-2026

10/03/2026

What happens when profit and purpose work together, just as our founder Lord Rank intended?

In this interview, Profit for Good 2025 participant Richy Duggan from Bike Recycling Hub shares how his Sunderland-based enterprise is building a stronger cycling culture while supporting the local community. 🚴

From helping people rediscover cycling and improve their health, to teaching bike maintenance and creating opportunities for young people, Richy shows how enterprise can strengthen, not distract from, a charitable mission.

Profit for Good has helped him rethink what’s possible: trading and community impact can sit side by side.

👉 Read the full interview: rankfoundation.com/sunderland/profit-for-good-case-study-3

👉 Learn more about our Profit for Good programme: rankfoundation.com/our-approach/enterprise/profit-for-good

03/03/2026

For many charities, the idea of profit can feel uncomfortable. But what if it opened new doors?

In this interview, Profit for Good 2025 participant Laura Brewis, founder and executive director of the award-winning arts organisation We Make Culture, shares her honest journey into enterprise.

From testing a small paid singing group to rethinking what profit means in a values-led organisation, this is a thoughtful reflection on learning, confidence and new possibilities.

👉 Read the full interview: https://rankfoundation.com/sunderland/profit-for-good-case-study-2

👉 Learn more about our Profit for Good programme: rankfoundation.com/our-approach/enterprise/profit-for-good

24/02/2026

🍊 How do you grow a locally focused social enterprise step by step while staying true to your values?

In this interview, Profit for Good 2025 participant Claire Wayman, co-director and co-founder of Sunshine Co-operative, shares how they’re building a local food system in Sunderland while creating opportunities for people who don’t always thrive in traditional workplaces.

Since this conversation, their new Sunrise shop has also opened on Villette Road, with cookery classes and community activities now underway!

👉 Read the full interview: rankfoundation.com/sunderland/profit-for-good-case-study-1

👉 Read about the Sunrise shop launch: www.sunderlandecho.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/weve-opened-our-new-shop-with-cookery-classes-to-revitalise-this-local-sunderland-high-street-5486068

👉 Learn more about our Profit for Good programme: rankfoundation.com/our-approach/enterprise/profit-for-good

17/02/2026

📢 𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴!

An exciting opportunity to join the Rank Foundation team in London or Penrith as Head of Impact, Partnerships & Place.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving collaboration and partnerships and ensuring measurable social impact. The position combines strategic vision with operational excellence to advance the Foundation’s mission. Our mission is rooted in trust, respect, and a belief in the collective power to drive positive change.

Full details and recruitment pack can be found on our website: rankfoundation.com/about-us/work-with-us

Address

21 Garden Walk
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EC2A3EQ

Website

http://www.rankfoundation.com/

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