Joseph Rowntree was a Quaker philanthropist and reformer whose legacy shaped British society through his work tackling poverty, inequality, and social injustice. In the early 1900s he established three trusts - the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust - which continue to drive change today. His pioneering work, including introducing workers and women’s rights, secure housing and pensions, reframed poverty as a structural issue, influencing UK welfare policies and laying the foundations for the modern welfare state.

Beyond philanthropy, Rowntree championed progressive labour practices at his company, Rowntree & Co, introducing fair wages, pensions, and model housing for workers. His creation of New Earswick, a village designed to improve living conditions, reflected his deep commitment to social equity. A lifelong advocate for peace and no-violence, his trusts continue to support efforts for conflict resolution and social justice. Rowntree’s vision of systemic reform and corporate responsibility remains an enduring force for change