About us

Who we are

Unlocking brighter futures through access to quality STEM education and opportunities.

The Spectris Foundation is a charity incorporate organisation registered in England and Wales with a charity no. 1195233. We were established in July 2021 by an endowment of £15,000,000 from Spectris, a scientific measuring instruments company with a global presence.

We believe science, technology, engineering and mathematics education (STEM) is fundamental to the wellbeing of the world. We need STEM skills and knowledge to solve problems facing us all, so high quality STEM education benefits both individuals and society. We know that many young people face barriers to accessing this education which is why we donate 80% of out funding to STEM Education every year.

The remaining 20% of funding is donated to causes which are meaningful to Spectris staff through our Community and Engagement programme.

 
Girl with beaker

Purpose, Vision and Mission

Purpose

We are a grant-making corporate foundation that collaborates with its charitable partners to bridge gaps in STEM education and to support community outreach.

Mission

To support organisations that enhance STEM knowledge, skills, and discovery for learners and educators globally, ensuring that talent and opportunity are nurtured regardless of background.

Vision

Unlocking brighter futures through access to quality STEM education and opportunities.

child with magnifying glass

Values

Integrity

We uphold the highest ethical standards in grant-making—guided by evidence, fairness, transparency, and a commitment to equity and public benefit.

 

Inclusivity

We champion diversity, equity and inclusion, with a particular focus on supporting beneficiaries from disadvantaged communities.

 

Impact

We aim to make a lasting difference to organisations, and the people they support, through long-term investments and meaningful collaborations with Spectris employees.

Our Approach

We are mission driven and believe championing fair and open access to high-quality STEM learning, recognising the importance of representation, relevance, and opportunity.

Through our funder-plus approach, we go beyond grants, aiming to multiply impact through strategic partnerships, capacity-building, and long-term support.

If we succeed, we can realise our vision of unlocking brighter futures through access to quality STEM education and opportunities.

 

IVAR Standards

We are part of the IVAR Open and Trusting Grant-making.

Andrew Heath

Chair of Trustees

We believe that every person should have an equal right to a quality education and, by working with like-minded partners, we will remove barriers and create opportunities for every student to fulfil their potential.