Thompson Smith and Puxon launches charitable fund for Essex communities

Our thanks go to the ECF for their support in drafting this press release.

Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) has created a permanent charitable fund, strengthening the firm’s long-standing support for good causes in Colchester and Clacton, where TSP has offices.

The newly created Thompson Smith and Puxon Foundation will be managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

TSP has a strong history of raising funds for various charities, including St Helena Hospice and Brantham Church and sponsoring community initiatives such as the Colchester WheelPower Sports Festival. However, the firm wanted to take its efforts further and create a lasting legacy.

Lawyers are often closely involved with local charities due to the extent to which they are embedded in the local community. Through their capacity as trusted personal advisers, lawyers have a wide knowledge and deep understanding of the local community. This is particularly pertinent for a firm like Thompson Smith and Puxon who have a highly-regarded private client practice which supports clients with succession and legacy planning.

Many of the solicitors and legal professionals at TSP are already trustees for charities as a result of their passion for giving back. By becoming involved with the ECF, TSP can upscale its efforts over the long-term.

Fiona Ashworth, Director at TSP, added: "The Thompson Smith and Puxon Foundation is an extension of our charitable giving. Over the years, we’ve aimed to give back to local communities and celebrate local heroes. The Foundation allows us to continue this work on a long-term basis and establish a legacy in its own right. Our thanks go to Essex Community Foundation for supporting us in setting up and managing the Foundation. We look forward to working with them and making a meaningful impact by supporting local charitable projects."

Sean Stuttaford, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since 1879 we have served clients in Essex. The new charitable fund lets us put something lasting back into the communities where we live and work. By working with ECF we can target grants to local projects that improve daily life.”

Thompson Smith and Puxon has a rich history in Colchester. For 130 years, the firm operated from a Grade II listed building on North Hill, formerly part of Le Cateau Barracks. A major restoration in 2013 prompted a rebrand and relocation to its current offices on Stable Road.

The Thompson Smith and Puxon Foundation marks a new chapter in the firm’s longstanding dedication to community support, reinforcing its commitment to making a lasting difference in Essex.

Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive at ECF, commented, “We have a strong working relationship with TSP built over many years and through the establishment of charitable funds set up by clients and legacies from wills and estates. It is great that the firm has taken this step to embed a culture of giving into the ethos of their business. It is a difficult time for many local charities and voluntary groups as they struggle to pay their running costs and deliver their work, so this commitment from TSP to provide long-term support will be very welcome.”