The Stradivari Trust

What The Stradivari Trust does

The Stradivari Trust is a UK-registered charity (no. 1106652), founded in 1985 by Cambridge entrepreneur and philanthropist Nigel Brown OBE and based in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. The organization's core function is to acquire fine stringed instruments — violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and occasionally guitars — on behalf of exceptional young British professional musicians who cannot afford them, using a proprietary syndicated "bare" trust structure. Contributors purchase notional £1 shares against the value of each instrument (typically £370,000–£400,000+), and the musician progressively buys the instrument back from contributors at current annual value over a nominal 20-year scheme term. The Trust has completed 60 such schemes over its 40-year history, with beneficiaries including internationally renowned artists such as Nigel Kennedy, Steven Isserlis, Jennifer Pike, Lawrence Power, and Natalie Clein.

The Trust earns revenue from two streams: a small fundraising fee charged when a syndicate is established, and a recurring annual management charge covering insurance, annual valuations, share register updates, buyback administration, and contributor communications. The underlying mechanism is administrative and legal rather than technological — the Trust operates with a small team of fewer than 10 people led by Executive Administrator Dr. Sibylle Jackson and governed by a five-person board of trustees (Andrew Little, Alicja Smietana, Andy Swarbrick, John Willan, Dr Nigel Yandell), following the death of founder and Patron Nigel Brown OBE in January 2023. Marketing is conducted primarily through the organization's website, classical music press coverage, and live events, with a recent expansion into an inaugural biennial string competition for Cambridge University students in 2026.

Name

The Stradivari Trust

Legal name

The Stradivari Trust

Website

https://stradivaritrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Stradivari Trust is a UK charity that acquires fine stringed instruments for exceptional young British musicians through syndicated bare-trust schemes, funded by contributors purchasing notional shares over 20-year terms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Charity Services

akta.pro primary industry

Philanthropic & Charitable Trust Services (FSAAANAI)

Keywords

• Instrument syndication schemes
• Fine stringed instruments
• Music education charity
• Charity scheme administration
• Violin cello acquisition

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Ives

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Management Fees: The Trust charges a small annual management charge for administering schemes on behalf of musicians, including organizing annual valuations and insurance, updating share registers and managing buybacks, and keeping contributors updated about musicians' careers.
2. Fundraising Fees: Contributors buy notional £1 shares against the value of the instrument, plus a small fundraising fee when establishing the syndicate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Stradivari Trust operates syndicated "bare" trust schemes that acquire fine stringed instruments (violins, violas, cellos, double basses, guitars) for exceptional young British professional musicians. Contributors purchase notional £1 shares against the instrument value (typically £370,000–£400,000), and musicians progressively buy back shares at current annual value over a nominal 20-year scheme term. The Trust also administers all ongoing scheme logistics (annual valuations, insurance, share register updates, buyback management, contributor communications) for a small annual management charge.

Product overview

The Stradivari Trust is a UK-based charity (registered no. 1106652) that operates syndicated trust schemes to help exceptional British musicians acquire fine stringed instruments. Founded in 1985 and celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, the Trust has facilitated 60+ schemes to date. The core offering consists of instrument syndication schemes (bare trusts with up to 20-year terms) and associated scheme management services. Contributors buy notional shares against instrument value, and musicians progressively buy back shares. The Trust also recently launched its inaugural Biennial String Competition for Cambridge University students in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Instrument Syndication Schemes Syndicated "bare" trust arrangements that acquire fine stringed instruments (violins, violas, cellos, double basses, guitars — typically valued £370,000–£400,000+) for exceptional young British professional musicians, with up to 20-year scheme terms during which musicians progressively buy back shares from contributors at current annual valuation.
• Scheme Management Services Annual administration services for active instrument schemes, including arranging annual valuations, specialist instrument insurance, maintaining share registers, managing buybacks from contributors, and providing career updates on musicians to contributors.
• Biennial String Competition A public competition for advanced string players, open to all Cambridge University students, with semi-final, final, and masterclass components, plus cash prizes and a public performance event.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60 schemes successfully completed over 40 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers31 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• J&A Beare LimitedminorOthersReputable instrument dealer providing authentication and certification of fine stringed instruments. Mentioned in relation to Alessandro Mezadri of Ferrara violin acquisition.
• Ingles and HaydayminorOthersInstrument dealer mentioned as supporter for Davina Clarke's violin acquisition.
• Sir John Eliot GardinerminorOthersRenowned conductor mentioned as supporter for Davina Clarke's Francesco Rugeri violin acquisition.
• Lawrence PowerminorOthersAcclaimed violist who endorsed the Brothers Amati viola scheme for Bryony Gibson-Cornish, stating 'I fully support Bryony's journey to acquire this special Brothers Amati Viola.'

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 The Stradivari Trust