Development of the Trust
For twenty years the Arkwright Scholarships Trust has identified and nurtured future leaders in engineering and related areas of design.
It all began in 1991, when a group of committed Headteachers concluded that Design & Technology was not being given the profile the subject deserved. It was decided to launch a Scholarship Scheme to encourage and stimulate high-ability 15 and 16 year olds to consider engineering and design as a career. In this way the group hoped that the standing of the Design & Technology subject (Technological Studies in Scotland) would be enhanced. The charity was named after the famed 18th Century engineer Sir Richard Arkwright (1732 - 1792), inventor of the water frame and the 'father' of the modern factory system.
In the early years of the Scheme only five Scholarships were awarded. Since then Arkwright has seen a steady increase in Scholarships. In 2011 we awarded 298 sixth form Scholarships. Also in 2011, Arkwright awarded its inaugural undergraduate Scholarships to three lucky sixth form Scholars. This is one of the many ways in which Arkwright has a positive benefit on Scholars for their entire careers.
The Trust was led from 1991 to 2001 by Mr Tony Pickering, former Head of Pocklington School. From 2001 to 2011 the Trust was led by Mrs Linda Scott OBE FRSA, former National Director of the Engineering Education Scheme in England. In September 2011 Dr Martin Thomas CEng MIMMM MInstLM FIET became National Director upon Linda Scott's retirement. Dr Thomas was previously a Director at EngineeringUK.
Since 2000 the Arkwright Scholarships Trust has worked closely with The Smallpeice Trust. Arkwright is a separate registered charity, but has the benefit of Smallpeice’s facilities and administrative expertise – which provides economies of scale to both charities.
2011 is Arkwright's 20th anniversary. The team looks forward to continuing to work with business and industry to identify future leaders in engineering and related areas of design for the next twenty years and beyond.