The vision and energy of one man continues to influence the achievements of many.

The story of the Quintin Hogg Trust rightly begins with the man himself. Quintin Hogg was a Victorian merchant.

He focused his attention on education – first opening a “ragged school” near The Strand, offering free schooling for some of London’s poorest children, before establishing the The Young Men's Christian Institute to provide educational, social, sporting and social opportunities for young working men.

The Regent Street Polytechnic

In 1882, he purchased 309 Regent Street to house the growing Institute – which by then was attracting around 6,000 students a year for day and evening classes ranging from art to science plus of technical and trade education. The success of the programmes led to the Institute securing public funding and in 1891 it was renamed Regent Street Polytechnic.

Quintin Hogg remained at the helm, but also found time to set up another school, the Polytechnic Day School for Boys, while the Polytechnic itself diversified, providing a range of services for students and their families including a bank and a labour bureau.

The Quintin Hogg Memorial Fund and Sports Ground

Quintin Hogg died in 1903; his reputation amongst Londoners was so great that a public appeal was launched to raise funds in his memory. The appeal led to the purchase of some land in Chiswick, which was renamed the Quintin Hogg Memorial Sports Ground. In his youth, Quintin Hogg had been an accomplished sportsman, who played international football and first-class cricket – so a sports field was a suitable memorial for him.

The sportsground, still owned by the Quintin Hogg Memorial Fund, is operating actively to this day.

The Quintin Hogg Trust

Several trusts were founded at around the same time, to continue his educational legacy – primarily through continued association with the Regent Street Polytechnic. In 1991 the Regent Street Polytechnic Trust became the Quintin Hogg Trust and in 1992 the Polytechnic became the University of Westminster.

Continuing Quintin Hogg’s legacy

We believe Quintin Hogg would have been proud of the University’s status as one of the largest providers of adult education in the UK, and continued commitment to community education.

We are proud to continue his legacy, supporting the advancement of education for the students of the University.

ABOUT THE TRUSTEES