To begin, it is only fitting that we focus on the Clark Foundation’s founder, Jean Clark MBE, who also served as chair of the Clark Foundation from its establishment in 1991 until her death in January 2001. Jean’s legal adviser and friend, John Fulton (who was for many years one of the Clark Foundation’s trustees, and would go on to become its chair between 2017 and 2024), told us: “Jean was born in Troon in 1918, but her family’s roots lay in Kilmarnock where her forebears had established Saxone, a highly successful shoe manufacturer and retailer. The business was not for Jean however, who attended Edinburgh University and graduated MA LLB in 1942 before going on to practise as a solicitor for many years. That changed in 1967, when a far sighted president of the Law Society of Scotland appointed Jean to be the deputy secretary of its embryonic Public Relations Department later to become the Postgraduate Education Department” which became enormously successful. Jean would remain in this post until her retirement.

In the mid 1980s, Jean, now retired, became a client of John Fulton along with her sister, Elizabeth. In 1990, Elizabeth sadly passed away and Jean and John were the executors of her estate. John recalled to us that “after being informed of the sum due to Jean under her sister’s will, Jean looked at me and said: “John, I don’t need this money. What am I going to do”.” A few weeks later and after much thought, John suggested the idea of setting up a Trust for legal education and outlined the proposed structure. Jean’s response was “immediate and positive”.

Jean and John sought advice from trusted friends and colleagues who provided “vital reassurance”. The Clark Foundation is grateful to those who were enthusiastic and willing to be involved – alongside Jean and John – at this crucial moment, they were Kenneth Pritchard OBE; Lord Johnston, then dean of the Faculty of Advocates; and Tom Drysdale, deputy keeper of the Signet. So, the Clark Foundation had passed its first test and would go on to be set up as a charity.

John recalled that the work of the trust then began under Jean’s “excellent and considerate chairmanship. This, as with any dealings with Jean was done with efficiency, common sense, a deep interest in others and, no less importantly, an ever-present sense of humour. She was always keen to see the foundation help both men and women who were motivated to improve themselves in a manner which offered benefit to others in society. Single women seeking to enter the profession were of particular concern to her as Jean would have known, from her own personal experience, how challenging entering a profession dominated by men could be.”

Jean generously used her wealth to support many good causes and charities – for which she would go on to be awarded an MBE. Following Jean’s death in 2001, she left additional funds to the Clark Foundation so it could continue to promote the Law of Scotland and support lawyers.

Since 1991, the Clark Foundation has awarded over 600 grants to individuals, organisations, projects and events. It now has a fund valued over £2.6 million and generates an annual income which is available for making the annual awards and fulfilling other purposes of the Trust. Over the next few days, we will look at how grants have assisted some past applicants before turning to the future and ongoing projects.