The foundation named after entrepreneur Hamish Ogston has handed the heritage sector just under £29m to help boost skills and train workers globally.

His Hamish Ogston Foundation says this is the “largest private single commitment” to boosting heritage skills “in history”.

It has been awarded to English Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland, Commonwealth Heritage Forum and Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship, to train 2,700 young people across the UK and Commonwealth countries, which were invaded and exploited as part of the former British Empire.

Young people will be trained in heritage conservation and to tackle “a decades-long global skills shortage”. This will involve “hands on practical craft skills to strategy building, administration and financial planning for projects to preserve and protect historic buildings around the world”, said the Foundation.

This latest pledge is part of a commitment to boosting heritage skills training totalling £43m.

Heritage projects to benefit include work being carried out at Canterbury Cathedral and Bury St Edmunds Abbey Church Ruins and Abbey Gate.

Following a major donation of £11.2m from the @HamishOgstonFdn, the largest donation we’ve ever received, we’re thrilled to announce a ground-breaking heritage apprenticeship programme to pass the dying skill of flint-working to a younger generation.

➡️ https://t.co/icJsoR4o5r pic.twitter.com/OqNXlw9e5X

— English Heritage (@EnglishHeritage) August 10, 2023

Other sites to benefit include from the training include the Botanic Gardens in Kolkata in India, which achieved independence in 1947 after decades of British rule.

Another is Christchurch Cathedral in New Zealand. Four years ago the British government expressed regret for the killing of Maori people in New Zealand, following the arrival Captain James Cook to the country in the 18th century.

Of the £29m pledge £11.2million is being handed to English Heritage for the establishment of The Hamish Ogston Foundation Heritage Craft Skills Resilience Programme.

Meanwhile, £5.2million is going to Historic Environment Scotland for the establishment of the Craft Your Career, Funded by the Hamish Ogston Foundation programme.

Elsewhere, £11.5 million is being handed to the Commonwealth Heritage Forum for Phase 2 of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commonwealth Heritage Skills Training Programme.

And £535,000 is going to Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship for Phase 5 of the “The Hamish Ogston Foundation Craft Training Programme.

Hamish Ogston has co-founded a number of businesses, including Europe’s first retail loyalty reward scheme.

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