What TWEED FOUNDATION does

The Tweed Foundation is an independent environmental charity (Registered Charity No. SC011055; Charitable Company in Scotland No. SC366380) delivering fisheries science, river conservation, and ecological research across the River Tweed and Eye catchment in the Scottish Borders. Founded in 1983 and operating from shared premises with the statutory River Tweed Commission at Drygrange Steading, Melrose, the charity focuses on the sustainable management of Atlantic salmon, Sea Trout, and freshwater biodiversity through scientific monitoring (including a multi-year smolt tracking study initiated in 2019), electro-fishing surveys, habitat restoration, fish passage improvement, and a Catchment Biosecurity Plan covering 20 fish species across the catchment. Its core technology consists of domain-specialised fisheries science techniques rather than software or AI systems.

The Foundation's portfolio includes the TweedStart youth education programme, the TweedStart Ambassadors leadership initiative (launched February 2024), Go Wild For Fish, the Ian Gregg River Academy, the Guardians of The Tweed volunteer programme, and the Tweed Trout and Grayling Initiative (TTGI). It maintains deep strategic partnerships with the River Tweed Commission, Tweed Forum, SEPA, Scottish Water, and Scottish Borders Council under the Ocean Motion initiative, alongside commercial GTM partnerships with FishPal, Glasgow Angling Centre, Fishing TV, and Kailzie Trout Fishery.

Revenue is generated through a diversified, community-led model: 'Friends of the Tweed Foundation' annual memberships, donations, smolt sponsorships, merchandise sales, an annual November auction, modest consultancy services to external landowners and public bodies, and statutory/grant-style support. The Foundation serves statutory bodies, fishing estates, ghillies, angling clubs, schools, young people, and volunteer communities, and contributes to a River Tweed ecosystem that underpins approximately £24 million of annual local economic activity and over 500 jobs.

Name

TWEED FOUNDATION

Legal name

The Tweed Foundation

Website

https://rivertweed.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Tweed Foundation is an independent UK environmental charity delivering fisheries science, river conservation, and ecological research across the River Tweed catchment, supporting Atlantic salmon and Sea Trout management, youth education, and biosecurity for statutory bodies, fishing communities, and local stakeholders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Stock Enhancement & Restocking / Conservation Aquaculture (AFAEAAAO)

Keywords

• Fisheries conservation
• River ecology research
• Salmon habitat restoration
• Environmental education programmes
• Catchment biosecurity

Headquarters

HQ city

Melrose

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership (Friends of the Tweed Foundation): The Foundation raises funds through its 'Friends of the Tweed Foundation' membership programme, accepting donations, merchandise purchases, smolt sponsorships, and event participation. A 'Friends' community supports science, education, and conservation work.
2. Annual Auction Fundraising: An annual auction held live in November, accepting donated auction lots from supporters to raise funds for the Foundation's work and the TweedStart education programme.
3. Consultancy Services: The Tweed Foundation offers consultancy services to external parties, generating professional services revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Tweed Foundation is an independent environmental charity delivering fisheries science, river conservation and ecological research across the River Tweed and Eye catchment. It supports the sustainable management of Atlantic salmon, Sea Trout and freshwater biodiversity through long-term scientific monitoring (including a multi-year smolt tracking programme), habitat restoration, fish passage improvement, biosecurity planning for invasive species, and education programmes such as TweedStart, Go Wild For Fish and the Ian Gregg River Academy. Funding comes primarily from individual donations, Friends of the Tweed Foundation memberships, smolt sponsorships, an annual auction, and supplementary consultancy services.

Product overview

The Tweed Foundation is an independent environmental charity delivering fisheries science, river conservation and ecological research across the River Tweed & Eye catchment. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including TweedStart (core youth education initiative), TweedStart Ambassadors (advanced youth leadership), Go Wild For Fish, and Ian Gregg River Academy for angling education; Scientific Monitoring & Research with Smolt Tracking Reports and The River monthly publications for data dissemination; and the Catchment Biosecurity Plan addressing invasive species through monitoring programs. The foundation also offers Consultancy Services and maintains a Friends membership program for public engagement and fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TweedStart: Youth angling education program introducing young people to fishing and river stewardship.
• Go Wild For Fish
• Ian Gregg River Academy
• Guardians of The Tweed
• Tweed Trout and Grayling Initiative (TTGI)

Products and services

• TweedStart Angling education programme for young people teaching fly fishing skills, river stewardship, and conservation awareness across the River Tweed catchment.
• TweedStart Ambassadors Advanced youth leadership programme that empowers young anglers across the Tweed catchment to become ambassadors encouraging others to discover angling and embrace custodianship of rivers.
• Go Wild For Fish Educational initiative introducing young people to fish species and river ecosystems within the Tweed catchment.
• Ian Gregg River Academy Specialised river education facility providing hands-on training in fishing techniques and river conservation for participants across the Tweed catchment.
• Scientific Monitoring and Research Fisheries science programmes including the multi-year smolt tracking study, electro-fishing surveys, catch monitoring and long-term environmental research to support sustainable Atlantic salmon and Sea Trout management across the River Tweed catchment.
• Catchment Biosecurity Plan Comprehensive biosecurity framework for the prevention, early detection, control and mitigation of non-native species, fish diseases and parasites across the River Tweed catchment.
• Friends of the Tweed Foundation Annual community membership programme supporting the Tweed Foundation's science, education and conservation work through subscriptions, donations, smolt sponsorships, merchandise and event participation.
• Consultancy Services Bespoke environmental and fisheries consultancy services offered directly to landowners, estates and public bodies seeking ecological or fisheries expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• River Tweed estimated at approximately £24 million annual economic contribution and over 500 jobs supported
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered key, secondary and core.

• FishPalkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2024FishPal supports the TweedStart Ambassadors Programme through donations and contributed to launching the programme in February 2024. Will Draper, Head of FishPal, expressed support for engaging the next generation of fly fishers.
• Glasgow Angling CentrekeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2024Glasgow Angling Centre provides angling equipment (life vests, waders, rods, reels, lines) to the TweedStart Young Ambassadors programme. Managing Director Paul Devlin expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the initiative.
• Angling Clubs across the Tweed CatchmentkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2024Angling clubs across the Tweed catchment contribute to the TweedStart Ambassadors Programme, providing fishing opportunities and mentorship for young ambassadors. Jamie Stewart (CEO) acknowledged their contributions as helping make the programme possible.
• Kailzie Trout FisherysecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 February 2024Kailzie Trout Fishery served as the official launch venue for the TweedStart Ambassadors Programme on 16th February 2024, hosting the first group of ambassadors from Peeblesshire.
• Fishing TVkeyGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2024Fishing TV curated and co-presented the inaugural River Tweed Film Festival at Ednam House Hotel in February 2024, celebrating angling heritage and conservation. Ed Burgass, Commercial Director, expressed delight at supporting the River Tweed Foundation. Fishing TV offers a 7-day free trial and content for the angling community.
• River Tweed CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe River Tweed Commission (RTC) is the statutory fisheries authority for the River Tweed, established under The Scotland Act 1998 (River Tweed) Order 2006. The Tweed Foundation works alongside the RTC, sharing premises at Drygrange Steading, and supporting the RTC's conservation, science, and education mandates. The RTC and Foundation are legally distinct organisations with complementary missions.
• Tweed ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTweed Forum is a key strategic partner producing the Tweed Catchment Management Plan and coordinating nature-based solutions across the Tweed catchment. The Tweed Foundation and RTC work closely with Tweed Forum on source-to-sea environmental management. Luke Comins is CEO of Tweed Forum.
• SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEPA is referenced as a key stakeholder in the Ocean Motion motion adopted by Scottish Borders Council and in the Tweed Catchment Biosecurity Plan, supporting regulatory and environmental management of the river.
• Scottish WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Water is listed as a key partner in the Ocean Motion initiative and in the Tweed Catchment Management Plan, involved in source-to-sea water quality and management.
• Scottish Borders CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Borders Council unanimously adopted the 'Ocean Motion' initiative recognising the connection between inland waterways and sea health, involving the RTC, Tweed Forum, Tweed Foundation, SEPA, and Scottish Water in its delivery.
• Local Delivery BodiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal delivery bodies across the Tweed catchment are referenced as key partners in implementing the Scottish Borders Council's Ocean Motion initiative, working with the RTC, Tweed Forum, Tweed Foundation, SEPA, and Scottish Water.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Severn Rivers Trust: River conservation charity operating across the Severn catchment with science, education, and volunteer programmes. Direct peer given similar charity structure, catchment focus, and mix of monitoring, education, and conservation delivery.
• Atlantic Salmon Trust: Scotland-anchored charity focused on wild Atlantic salmon conservation, funding research and catchment-scale projects. Highly comparable given shared species focus, UK geography, and science-led catchment programmes.
• Westcountry Rivers Trust: Catchment-based environmental charity delivering river science, habitat restoration, and education across multiple UK river catchments. Comparable model of integrated science, education, and community engagement at catchment scale.
• WildFish (formerly Salmon & Trout Association): UK charity campaigning for the protection of wild fish and their habitats, with policy and advocacy focus. Directly comparable in mission around wild salmonids and freshwater habitat protection in UK rivers.
• Salmon & Trout Conservation: UK-wide charity dedicated to conserving wild salmon and trout, running scientific research, advocacy, and member-supported programmes. Direct peer to the Tweed Foundation given its parallel mission of wild salmonid science and conservation in the UK.
• Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust: Charity combining river science, habitat improvement, and community engagement across Yorkshire Dales catchments. Comparable in mission, scope, and operating model of integrated catchment conservation.

Broad incumbents

• The Rivers Trust: UK-wide umbrella body coordinating a network of rivers trusts and catchment partnerships. Broad incumbent peer relevant as the wider network the Tweed Foundation operates within for catchment-scale river conservation.
• Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust: Major UK conservation charity focused on wetlands and waterbird habitats with strong public engagement and education programmes. Comparable in charity structure, education focus, and freshwater conservation remit.
• Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust: Large UK charity conducting research and policy advocacy on game and wildlife management, including salmonids. Comparable in mission around wild fisheries, but operates at UK scale with a wider species and habitat portfolio.

Emerging players

• Thames21: London-based charity delivering river restoration, citizen science, and education along the Thames. Comparable in combining river restoration, volunteer programmes, and community education, though geographically distinct.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tweed-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TWEED FOUNDATION