In 2005, I founded The Trust Partnership with a simple conviction: that by seeking out the natural abilities of those who join us, nurturing them with patience, and learning alongside one another, we could build something meaningful—a team serving a greater good. As we mark our 20th anniversary this year, I find myself reflecting on this journey not just as a professional endeavour, but as a personal one, shaped by my Christian faith and the quiet wisdom of Roger Scruton, a philosopher whose love of tradition and beauty has left a deep mark on me.

The Bible describes love as patient, kind, and forgiving (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). These aren’t just virtues for personal life—they’ve become the heartbeat of how we work at The Trust Partnership. I wondered: how do these qualities, rooted in the Gospel, build a team? To find out, I turned to some of our people, whose stories reveal more than I could say alone.

A Place to Grow

Our team is a tapestry of backgrounds. Jill came to us in 2017 from the Probation Service. She’s grown with us since, finding her place. “The culture here,” she says, “positively contributes to working as a team, which is vital for serving our clients well.” Contrast that with her past, where stressful colleague dynamics pushed her to leave. Here, she’s found soil to thrive in.

Mia has been with us since the beginning, after running her own catering business. She’s watched us evolve. “We’re encouraged to learn and grow if we choose,” she notes, “while some are content to excel in their roles as they are.” For her, it’s personal too: “I’m amazed at how we all bring something new to the party. Working together builds bonds and friendships.”

Then there’s Cora, who joined us from customer service. She puts it strikingly: “I think the way the company is run is inspiring. I’ve never worked somewhere so open to forgiveness, which encourages truthfulness. It’s refreshing, and it shapes how we treat clients and each other.” Daja, fresh from university in 2023, echoes this: “Everyone works hard and wants to do well. If you need help, someone stops to lend a hand.”

These voices—Jill, Mia, Cora, Daja—paint a picture of a workplace that’s not perfect, but purposeful. It’s a garden where people aren’t just employees, but souls with gifts to offer.

Lessons in Forgiveness

No garden grows without weeds. Mistakes happen. How we face them, I believe, is where faith meets practice. Mia says it well: “To err is human, but we never hold blame. We look for ways to keep it from happening again, staying open with our clients too.” Cora adds, “The senior team finds solutions, not fault. They don’t cling to blame, which opens us to honesty. Problems become lessons learned.”

This resonates with me as a Christian. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus calls us to forgive “seventy times seven”—not a tally, but a posture. At The Trust Partnership, forgiveness isn’t weakness; it’s strength. It builds trust, the very thing I set out to cultivate in 2005. And it’s not so different from what Scruton admired in tradition: the willingness to tend what’s broken rather than discard it.

Scruton’s Echo

Roger Scruton once wrote that we’re not blank slates, but inheritors of a world rich with meaning. He saw beauty in the slow growth of institutions—families, communities, even businesses—that reflect a people’s shared life. I think he’d smile at The Trust Partnership. It’s not a machine engineered for profit, but a living thing, shaped by patience and care. Like the English countryside he loved, it’s a place where roots matter.

Scruton taught me to value what’s given, not just what’s made. As a Christian, I see this through a higher lens: we’re stewards, not owners, of the gifts we’re entrusted with—be it a talent, a team, or a calling. At The Trust Partnership, we don’t mould people into what they’re not; we help them become more of who they are. That, to me, is love in action.

Looking Ahead

Mia sums it up: “I’m proud to be part of this family. I hope I’ve helped create the warmth, love, and professionalism we carry.” So do I. As we grow, I’m committed to these roots—patience, kindness, forgiveness, faithfulness, hope, truth. They’re not just values; they’re a way of being.

Since 1991, I’ve worked with charities and foundations, from The Radcliffe Trust to The Hackney Joint Estate, driven by a passion to help those with influence better society. The Trust Partnership—now a family of businesses with Trust Accounting and Jireh Solutions—remains my heart’s work. It’s a small corner of God’s kingdom, I hope, where trust isn’t just a word, but a witness.

If you’d like to join us, learn more at thetrustpartnership.com. For me, this is more than a job—it’s a life of tending the garden I’ve been given.

Benjamin Janes | 12th March 2025

The founding principles and workplace culture of The Trust Partnership seemed a bit off-the-wall when we started back in 2005. Almost everyone I know has some experience of failing in a toxic workplace, and I wanted to do something different.

We aimed to build a skilled team of foundation administrators and clerks by nurturing employees’ natural abilities in a supportive environment. The company emphasises patience, kindness, and forgiveness—values rooted in Biblical descriptions of love—as key to team-building.

You can read some insights from employees here, as we reach our 20 year milestone.

Reflecting on my encounter with General Sir Richard Dannatt, I am drawn to consider the stark contrast between him and celebrated figures like David Beckham, often spotlighted in popular culture. While Beckham’s promotional campaigns were grand and glittering, they inevitably fell short of the immense expectations placed upon him. Unlike the transient allure of sports marketing, General Dannatt embodies a substantive and enduring presence, rooted in a commitment to service and duty.

Sir Richard Dannatt, with his calm and reasoned demeanour, tirelessly advocates for the military covenant—a critical, yet often overlooked, bond between the nation and its soldiers. This covenant ensures that those who serve are treated with fairness and respect, a principle politicians seem to forget amidst the chaos of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and possibly in future involvements like Ukraine.

When I first heard General Dannatt speak at a Bible Society event, his words struck me as deeply thoughtful. Beyond his intellect, he is a man of action, having been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry at a young age. His strong faith and concern for the moral fabric of our nation add layers to his character, making him a compelling figure.

As England grapples with crises across various facets of national life, I hope that Dannatt will continue to be the steadying personality that we need. You can read my full post on Substack here.

Read the post on Substack.

In sharing this tribute to my father, John Robert James Janes, I find myself reflecting on a life so richly lived it could fill volumes. He was a man of profound love and loyalty, qualities that defined his every relationship, from the deep friendship with his mentor, John Norseworthy, to his unwavering bond with my mother, Ann. His military career, marked by courage despite physical trials, and his vibrant personality, full of humour and kindness, made him a beloved figure to many.

Through tales of his escapades and his steadfast service both in and out of uniform, I hope to convey not only his achievements but also the warmth of his spirit. He was a man who brought joy and laughter wherever he went, whose faith and commitment to community left a lasting impact.

For a fuller understanding of the extraordinary life he led, I encourage you to read the complete account on Substack.

Read the post on Substack.