The Scott Trust

The Scott Trust

The Scott Trust Limited was established in 2008 as the successor to a 1936 trust created by John Russell Scott. Its sole mandate is perpetual ownership of Guardian Media Group to protect the newspaper's editorial independence. Profits from the operating business and the endowment flow back into journalism rather than to external shareholders. The Trust deploys capital across media operating companies, venture holdings, and external fund commitments. It holds 100 percent of Guardian Media Group and maintains full ownership of Mercuri, the former GMG Ventures vehicle. Minority stakes include Tortoise Media. The endowment fund of $1.55 billion participates as a limited partner in KPS Capital Partners, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Ninety One. Geographic exposure centers on the United Kingdom with additional commitments in the United States and Denmark. An art collection of Jack Yeats drawings is held directly. The endowment stands at $1.55 billion with no disclosed headcount. Two philanthropic vehicles sit alongside the core structure: the Guardian Foundation, founded in 1993 with roughly $2 million in annual giving focused on press freedom, and the Scott Trust Foundation, which maintains the Guardian archive and education programs. In December 2024 the Trust attended the Responsible Energy Forum while negotiations over the sale of The Observer were underway. The limited-company form distinguishes the Trust from conventional endowments. Board composition includes family member Russell Scott as Senior Independent Director, and all surplus returns are contractually required to support journalism rather than external distributions.