Evenlode announces support for Stansfeld Park

Evenlode is the latest organisation to generously support the Trust’s new Science Oxford Education Centre at Stansfeld Park. We spoke to Evenlode co-founder Ben Peters about the company and why they are supporting our project.

The men behind Evenlode are “step brothers-in-law” Hugh Yarrow and Ben Peters. Hugh studied maths and philosophy at Edinburgh and trained at Rathbone Unit Trust Management before setting up his own equity investment company. Ben, however, was a novice to the industry – he was a science teacher before going on to get a doctorate at the University of Oxford. He jumped straight from academia into the world of investment in 2009 when he and Hugh set up Evenlode.

Unlike most institutional investors who work out of a skyscraper in the City of London, the duo operates out of a low-rise converted barn in rural Oxfordshire. “It was a lifestyle choice”, says Ben. Their strategy right from the start has been to invest in high quality companies for the long-term and their portfolio includes 40 businesses that are personally vetted by Ben and Hugh. “Our fund is underpinned by a sound investment process”, says Ben. Since getting established Evenlode’s record has been exemplary, with investors enjoying dividend increases every year – an achievement few rivals have matched. The fund has soared and they now manage £2 billion with clients all over the UK. Alongside their UK-focussed Evenlode Income Fund, they launched the Evenlode Global Income Fund at the end of 2017, which takes the same approach but invests in firms around the world.

The company’s success has enabled Ben and Hugh to think about how they can give back by supporting local educational institutions, clubs and charities close to their heart. They sponsor Cropredy Cricket Club, the Charlbury Community Centre, the Southill Community Energy solar project, and participate in Chipping Norton School careers programme. Ben says, “We came across The Oxford Trust through our research into local science and innovation businesses. It is a good fit for us as it aligns with our interests in innovation and education”.

Evenlode is generously donating £30,000 over three years to support the Science Oxford Education Centre. With Ben’s background in science education, the company is attracted by the ethos of the centre, which will inspire young people about science, technology, engineering and maths. It will be the UK’s first indoor-outdoor education centre for children, aged 3 to 12. They will be able to take part in workshops, get hands-on in the discovery zone, watch shows and explore the surrounding 15-acres of woodland. This incredible wildspace of woods, ponds, and grassland will provide a unique opportunity for children to engage in a wide range of STEM learning sessions and explore the world around them.

Evenlode staff are also keen to get involved with the Stansfeld project and are planning to join one of our volunteer days to rejuvenate the woodland later this year. Thank you, Evenlode!

For more information on Evenlode, click here.