The Scar Free Foundation

What The Scar Free Foundation does

The Scar Free Foundation is a UK medical research charity founded in 1999 and the only organisation of its kind in the country dedicated solely to reducing the impact of scarring. It funds and coordinates a portfolio of clinical and translational research programmes including the SMOOTH Trial (CO2 laser therapy for burn scar reprogramming, published in Nature Portfolio), the DeScar Trial (a Smart Dressing releasing Decorin protein to prevent scarring), 3D Bioface bioprinting for patient-specific ear and nose reconstruction, a Novel Haemostatic Bandage developed at Imperial College London, Bristol-based wound healing research using zebrafish genetic models, and the AFFECT study linking facial scars to mental health outcomes. The Foundation operates three flagship research centres at the University of Birmingham (Centre for Conflict Wound Research, est. 2018), University of Bristol, and Swansea University, and maintains embedded partnerships with NHS trusts, Defence Medical Services, the CASEVAC Club, and four Partner Member Organisations (BAPRAS, BSSH, BBA, CFSGBI).

The Foundation is led by Chief Executive Lt Gen Richard Nugee Rtd, supported by a remote team of 13 employees, and holds Royal Patronage from HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. It funds itself through individual donations, trust and foundation grants (including a £300,000 Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grant in 2024), corporate partnerships, statutory awards, legacies, community fundraising, and a charity lottery, with 85p of every £1 directed to research. Since 1999 it has invested over £50 million in UK research and in 2025 passed the Association of Medical Research Charities Expert Review Audit. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization is expanding its international footprint through a partnership with Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has secured Legacy Partner status for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, and continues to broaden its research base across burns, conflict wounds, paediatric care, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction.

Name

The Scar Free Foundation

Legal name

The Scar Free Foundation

Website

https://scarfree.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Scar Free Foundation is a UK medical research charity, founded in 1999 and the only one dedicated solely to reducing scarring, funding clinical trials and translational research across burns, conflict wounds, and reconstructive surgery, and serving patients, veterans, and the wider public through £50 million of cumulative research investment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Research Charity

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Medical research charity
• Scar treatment research
• Wound healing studies
• Reconstructive surgery research
• Burn injury research

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and regular donations from individual supporters, processed via website, telephone, and mail. The charity raises funds through direct appeals and the Big Give Christmas campaign where donations are matched.
2. Trust and Foundation Grants: Funding from trusts, foundations, and philanthropists. Notable grants include £300,000 from Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund and funding from Veterans' Foundation.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies for fundraising and message amplification.
4. Legacies and Bequests: Gifts left in supporters' Wills, described as a significant funding source.
5. Statutory Funding: Grants from government bodies including Early Career Researcher Fund and LIBOR Fines Fund via HM Government.
6. Charity Lottery: Scar Free Lottery with prizes up to £25,000.
7. Community Fundraising: Events organised by community groups, individuals, and organisations. Example: Victory Belles WI raised £500.
8. Event-based Fundraising: Skydive events, endurance challenges (marathons, arctic treks), and community events generate donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Scar Free Foundation funds and coordinates a portfolio of UK medical research programmes dedicated to achieving scar-free healing. Its funded research covers wound healing, laser scar therapy, smart dressings, 3D bioprinting for facial reconstruction, haemostatic bandage technology, and genetic studies into scarring, delivered through research centres at the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol, and Swansea, alongside fellowship programmes, student electives, and community support events.

Product overview

The Scar Free Foundation is a medical research charity that funds and coordinates a portfolio of scar research programs. The organization operates as a unified research foundation rather than a product company, with its work organized around key research initiatives including the SMOOTH Trial (laser therapy), DeScar Trial (Smart Dressing), Bristol Wound Healing Research (genetic scarring), 3D Bioface (facial reconstruction), Novel Haemostatic Bandage, AFFECT study (mental health impact), Elective Awards (student grants), and the Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship. Additionally, the Foundation provides community support through its Community Events Programme. Since 1999, over £50 million has been invested in UK research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMOOTH Trial A clinical study investigating whether laser therapy breaks down scar tissue from burn and blast injuries, examining cellular-level changes to define how effective laser therapy is.
• DeScar Trial A Phase 1 clinical trial testing a Smart Dressing that protects wounds and releases Decorin protein (with anti-scarring properties) when wet, acting as a second layer of skin protecting wounds from infection.
• Bristol Wound Healing Research Two lab projects (Martin Lab and Richardson Lab) using genetic databanks and zebrafish testing to uncover genes that control scarring.
• 3D Bioface Research program developing 3D bioprinting of ears and noses using a patient's own cells and a specialized bio-ink that encourages cartilage growth.
• Novel Haemostatic Bandage A blood-repellent bandage material for conflict zones that prevents blood loss, promotes clotting, and can be removed without reopening wounds.
• AFFECT Study A completed study examining links between facial scars and mental health, finding that people with visible scars are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.
• Amber Young Burns Research Fellowship A £20,000 fellowship supporting the next generation of burns researchers to improve care for children and young people affected by burns.
• Elective Awards Student elective awards enabling medical and healthcare students to undertake research projects in scarring, wound healing, and visible difference conditions.
• Community Events Programme Public events creating welcoming spaces for people affected by scarring to access trusted information, hear from experts, and connect with others with shared experiences.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over £50 million invested in UK scar research since 1999
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, major, minor and core.

• Invictus Games Birmingham 2027strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2027Legacy Partner for 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. Research partner developing conflict wound research initiatives in run-up to games.
• Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for community events for veterans and those affected by scarring. RBVE Community Centre in Aylesford, Kent hosts Scar Free Foundation community events.
• Panzi Hospital, Democratic Republic of CongostrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership sparked by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. Dr Denis Mukwege's hospital receives surgical training from Swansea University team using 3D models for conflict-related sexual violence survivors.
• ReconRegenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Hosted SPARC meeting at Swansea University SUSIM for conflict-related sexual violence reconstruction initiative.
• Centre for Conflict Wound Research (University of Birmingham)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Flagship research centre established in 2018 at University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Led by Professor Janet Lord and Professor Naiem Moiemen. Focuses on burn scars, blast injuries, and conflict wound healing. SMOOTH Trial, DeScar Trial, and Smart Dressing research based here.
• CASEVAC ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Combat wounded veteran community formed in 2017, modelled on Guinea Pig Club. Research partners at Centre for Conflict Wound Research. Mission is to be the last with scars. Collective voice on medical provision.
• University of Bristol Wound Healing ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBristol Wound Healing Research programme with Martin Lab (Professor Paul Martin) and Richardson Lab (Dr Beck Richardson). Uses zebrafish models and genetic cohort studies (Children of the 90s, Cleft Collective) to identify scarring genes.
• Swansea University (Programme of Reconstructive Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScar Free Foundation Programme of Reconstructive Research at Swansea University led by Professor Iain Whitaker. Houses 3D Bioface research, SUSIM simulation centre, and SPARC initiative with DRC partnership.
• Defence Medical ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Ministry of Defence for PhD Fellowship research into bioactive glass. Research aligns with Defence Medical Services strategy for conflict wound care.
• Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)coreOthersMembership organization for medical research charities. Scar Free Foundation passed AMRC Expert Review Audit 2025, confirming research funding meets AMRC's six principles of expert review.
• RAND EuropemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on AFTER study examining psychological and social impact of conflict-related genital injuries. Led by Dr Mary Keeling.
• Manchester Metropolitan UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on AFTER study. Dr Natalie Hammond leads Health and Social Care research component.
• King's College LondonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaborator on AFTER study. Professor Nicola Fear leads epidemiology and military health research component.
• Combat StressmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans' mental health charity collaborating on AFTER study to ensure research addresses needs of affected Veterans.
• British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner Member Organisation for Elective Awards programme. Supports student electives in plastic and reconstructive surgery research.
• British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner Member Organisation for Elective Awards programme.
• British Burn Association (BBA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner Member Organisation for Elective Awards programme in burns care and research.
• Craniofacial Society of Great Britain and Ireland (CFSGBI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner Member Organisation for Elective Awards programme in craniofacial research.
• The Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for Scar Free Foundation headquarters at Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Combat Stress: UK veterans' mental health charity and confirmed research partner on Scar Free's AFTER study. Both serve the same veteran beneficiary population and collaborate on research addressing psychological impact of conflict injuries.
• Children's Burns Trust: UK charity focused on paediatric burn care and prevention, directly overlapping with Scar Free's paediatric burns research and community support work. Both raise funds for burn survivors and run awareness/prevention programmes.
• British Burn Association: UK professional body for burns care and research; a partner member organisation of Scar Free's Elective Awards programme and overlapping in burns-research focus. Both organisations work to advance burn care, though BBA is professional-membership driven while Scar Free is a public-facing research charity.
• Help for Heroes: UK military charity supporting wounded veterans with overlapping beneficiary base (conflict-wounded personnel). Scar Free's Centre for Conflict Wound Research and CASEVAC Club partnership indicate direct collaboration on shared veteran populations, making them closely aligned in mission if not in research focus.
• Changing Faces: UK charity supporting people with visible differences including scarring, paralleling Scar Free's ambassador and community programmes. Both campaign on the psychosocial impact of scarring and visible difference in the UK.
• Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA): UK charity supporting people born with cleft lip and palate. Scar Free funds the Cleft Collective research programme that CLAPA-affiliated families participate in; both serve the same patient community around cleft surgical scarring outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Research UK: The UK's largest medical research charity, operating a comparable donation-funded model and competing for the same donor wallet. Both fund peer-reviewed biomedical research through AMRC-audited processes, but Cancer Research UK has vastly greater scale and disease-specific focus.
• British Heart Foundation: A leading UK medical research charity with similar donation-based revenue model, research grants programmes, and AMRC membership. Comparable in mission structure but vastly larger in budget and concentrated on cardiovascular disease rather than scarring.
• Royal British Legion: The UK's largest armed-forces charity, sharing the veteran beneficiary audience and donation-driven funding model. Both raise funds from UK supporters for military-related health and welfare outcomes, though the Legion operates across much broader welfare programmes.
• Wellcome Trust: A major UK science and health research grantmaker. Both fund peer-reviewed biomedical research, but Wellcome operates with an endowment-driven model across all of science, while Scar Free focuses narrowly on scarring via voluntary donations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-scar-free-foundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Scar Free Foundation