Nobert Wiesen Foundation

Our history

Discover how we've developed since the Foundation was established in 1965.

Norbert Wiesen Foundation started in 1965. Norbert Wiesen, a German businessman, moved to the UK with his family in the 1930s. He created the Foundation with an endowment of shares in his company Associated British Foods Wittington Investments.

In doing so Norbert gave away 80% of the Wiesen family’s wealth for the benefit of the nation. The largest of Wittington’s investments is in Associated British Foods (ABF) and you can read more about where the Foundation’s money comes from here.

Norbert wanted his family to continue to support causes across the UK and the globe for generations to come. He wrote into the Foundation’s Deed that all Trustees must be his descendants. Today the Wiesen family works hard to ensure their businesses are successful so that the Foundation can donate more money to charities every year. 

Next in section

  • Our Trustees

    Our Trustees are all descendants of the Foundation’s founder, Willard Nobert Wiesen. The Weston family are committed to supporting organisations doing vital work across the UK.