About Us
We are a charitable foundation with the arts and the education of young people at our heart.
Founded by Sir Ian and Lady Anstruther in memory of Ian’s brother Fagus, we take a personal interest in the charities supported by the Trust and we are committed to building these relationships over time.
Our trustees
Eleanor Anstruther
Eleanor was born in London, educated at Westminster and studied History of Art at Manchester University where she was distracted from finishing her degree by a trip to India.
She was lost and found for the next twelve years, starting a commune, building a stone circle, and travelling through Asia, Australia, Africa and America before finally settling down to write. Her acclaimed debut novel, A Perfect Explanation, (Salt Books) was long-listed for the Desmond Elliott Prize. She now lives quietly on a farm in Surrey.
Max Anstruther
Max is a grandchild of Ian Anstruther and has always been involved and influenced by family activity, history and legacy. Having been born and spent the developing years of his life in West Sussex, a stone's throw from where Ian spent his twilight years, Max moved to London as a teenager to develop a career in the music industry. Now operating his own recording studio in East London (Start Small Studios) and as an active artist in the independent music scene, Max became involved with the Fagus Trust charity hoping to continue the influence and connection that it has on the arts and music world.
Kate Crosby
Kate is Ian Anstruther’s eldest daughter. A Trustee for some years in the 1980s, she has rejoined the board recently. Her main interests apart from family are walking, gardening and meditation.
Colette Harrison (Chair)
Colette became a trustee of Fagus Anstruther Memorial Trust in 2021 and is married to Gabriel; Kate Crosby’s son and eldest grandson of Ian Anstruther. Colette has worked within the arts and charity sectors in the UK and Europe for over 20 years and in 2023 was recognised by Charity Times as one of 12 women in the UK making an impact in the charity sector for supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in governance.
Kelvin O’Mard
Kelvin has an extensive career within the arts as a performer and teacher, including with The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Royal National Theatre and The Bristol Old Vic. He has developed and managed projects for Second Floor Studios and Arts, Haringey Council, and for Westminster Council. Kelvin is the Business Operations Manager for the Croydon BME Forum.
Rebecca Maxwell-Grant
Rebecca is Ian Anstruther’s eldest grand-daughter. Rebecca has worked in a number of different industries and has experience in project management, finance and business consulting. More recently she has moved away from business roles and is currently training as a craniosacral therapist with a view to starting her own practice.
Gerald Richards
Gerald has more than twenty-five years’ experience of management and development with local and national US and UK non-profit organisations. He is a respected leader, coach, trainer and sought-after speaker on topics of youth development, writing, creativity, education access, and charity leadership and management. Gerald is the Co-Founder of B&G Partners.