Wellcome Trust statement on Wonga
2 August 2013
The Wellcome Trust is a global charity that spends £650 million a year on research dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. We are able to support this vital work because of our endowment of £14.5 billion, which is managed by a professional investment team to realise the best possible return on our assets.
We hold a very broad portfolio, which is regularly reviewed and has increased in value by 165 per cent over the past decade. This growth has allowed us to release more than £1 billion in extra funding for biomedical research over the same period.
In December 2010, the Wellcome Trust purchased a stake in the digital finance company Wonga as a small part of our diverse portfolio. Several months ago, the Trust made the decision to sell this stake as it was no longer consistent with our investment criteria, and that sale is now complete.
Contact
Mark Henderson
Head of Communications
Wellcome Trust
T +44 (0)20 7611 8540
M +44 (0)7939 339577
E
m.henderson@wellcome.ac.uk
Craig Brierley
Media Relations Manager
Wellcome Trust
T +44 (0)20 7611 7329
M +44 (0)7957 468218
E
c.brierley@wellcome.ac.uk
About the Wellcome Trust
The
Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests.
