Philanthropist's 'extraordinary gift' to private colleges could free up £2.2m a year in States funding
- Elizabeth College and The Ladies' College could give up £2.2m annual States grant following philanthropic donation
- Endowment would replace grant funding whilst maintaining affordable fees at both colleges
- The Ladies' College requires States' approval to change 1962 law
- Legacy Programme plans include AI Institute with UCL and Innovation Hub for island community
- Elizabeth College exploring investments in sport and artist development programmes
Elizabeth College and The Ladies' College could relinquish their annual States grant funding, worth approximately £2.2 million, following a substantial philanthropic donation that would replace the public subsidy.
The endowment would allow the States to redeploy the funding elsewhere whilst maintaining affordable fees at both colleges for current and prospective parents.
Based on indicative figures for 2026/27, the grant funding to the two colleges represents more than 2% of the approved net revenue budget for the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.
Elizabeth College, already operating as a registered charity, can accept its share of the gift immediately. However, The Ladies' College faces a legal barrier dating back to 1962. The college is guided by States' legislation from that year which sets out how it is governed. To receive its portion of the endowment, The Ladies' College will seek States' support to replace the 1962 law with a modern charitable structure.
Beyond replacing the grant funding, the philanthropic gift would create opportunities for an expanded bursary programme and support a new island-wide Legacy Programme.
The Legacy Programme is being developed to benefit the wider Guernsey community. The Ladies' College aims to work with University College London to establish an AI Institute. Plans also include creating an Innovation Hub offering research facilities, events and workshops accessible to the entire island community.
Elizabeth College is exploring investments in sporting excellence and plans to develop its Artist in Residence programme through the Gate House Gallery, alongside partnership work to support and mentor young artists.
Daniele Harford-Fox, Principal at The Ladies' College, said: 'This is a once-in-a-generation gift which would allow us to do even more for Guernsey. For example, working with partners, The Ladies' College hopes to build an AI and Innovation Hub that could be a centre for research, workshops and events for everyone in the community. We hope this will help in equipping islanders for the future and support Guernsey's positioning as a leader in innovation.'
Ms Harford-Fox added: "The Ladies' College has served this community since 1872. This gift would let us serve it far more widely."
Jenny Palmer, Principal at Elizabeth College, said: "Our two Colleges have worked in partnership for many years, and we share a simple ambition, which is to provide young people in Guernsey with the best, well-rounded education we can.
"This gift would also enable us to look at how we can further develop partnerships to extend and share opportunities, for example, through sport, the performing and creative arts and to extend our Gate House Gallery artist development programme, as well as securing the future of both Colleges for generations to come."
Visit https://alegacyforguernsey.com/ for more.
Q&A
Q: How much is the annual States grant to the two colleges?
A: Approximately £2.2 million per year, which represents more than 2% of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture's approved net revenue budget for 2026/27.
Q: Why can't The Ladies' College accept the gift immediately?
A: The Ladies' College is governed by a States' law from 1962 which prevents it from operating as a charity and accepting such donations. The college will need States' approval to replace this law with a modern charitable structure.
Q: What is planned for the Legacy Programme?
A: The Legacy Programme includes plans for an AI Institute in partnership with University College London, an Innovation Hub offering research facilities, events and workshops for the island community, investments in sporting excellence, and development of artist programmes through the Gate House Gallery.
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