The constitution

The constitution is the governing document of the Wellcome Trust, superseding the will of Sir Henry Wellcome (1853-1936), the founder of the Wellcome Trust. Originally agreed in 2001, it establishes the boundaries within which the Trust can operate, recasting Sir Henry Wellcome's original wishes contained in his will into a modern format. The charitable objects in the constitution form the basis of the Wellcome Trust's mission statement.

The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Trust's corporate trustee (The Wellcome Trust Limited) specify some of the mechanics of how the Trust operates in practice.

Why was the constitution introduced?

The constitution reflects the new challenges and opportunities that have emerged since Sir Henry Wellcome died in 1936.

How does it differ from the will?

The constitution consolidates and updates the original will and the many court orders attached to it into a single governing document. The Memorandum and Articles of Association, adopted in 1992 when the Corporate Trustee was appointed, were also updated.

The constitution expands and clarifies the territory in which the Wellcome Trust can operate in the light of modern circumstances, while capturing the essence of Sir Henry Wellcome's original wishes.

How was it produced?

The constitution was drafted in close collaboration with the Charity Commission, and was then open for public consultation, following which it was sealed by the Charity Commission on 20 February 2001. It has subsequently been amended three times. The 2001 Scheme can be found below.

Scheme dated 20 February 2001 [PDF 1.3MB]

What does it cover?

It clarifies what kind of research work the Wellcome Trust may support and what forms of investment it may use.
It defines how decision-making activity can be delegated from the Board of Governors through the Trust's committees.
It sets clearly defined limits on liability for losses arising from this delegation.
It covers issues such as conflicts of interest and Governors' remuneration.