About The Trust
The Nisbet Trust supports a variety of organisations across the Greater Bristol area through charitable giving.
These organisations run transformational projects in the four areas of focus we prioritise: children and young people, prevention of homelessness, community cohesion and the arts.
Our Staff
The grant application process, including initial questions and queries, is managed by members of staff.
Alison Hope
Alison is an experienced charity fundraising specialist and philanthropy adviser. Alison joined The Trust in 2017. She started her career working for the International Business Leaders Forum. She was a major gift fundraiser for the University of Bristol and University of Gloucestershire. Then, as an independent consultant, she worked with more than 40 charities in the social welfare, heritage and arts sectors.
She is a trustee of The Underfall Yard Trust and former Trustee of the Triangle Trust.
Gemma Roberts
Gemma has served as Administrator of the Nisbet Trust since 2011. With a focus on efficient, thoughtful administration, Gemma takes great pride in contributing to the Trust’s mission, helping to ensure its operations run smoothly behind the scenes.
Our Trustees
The grant decisions are made by the grants committee, which meets quarterly.
Anne Nisbet
Anne is a Director of Key West Holdings and previously of Nisbets PLC, founding its charitable arm, Nisbets in the Community (NiC). She has voluntarily fundraised for Bristol charities and chaired the Golden Gift Appeal for Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity.
Passionate about charitable causes in Greater Bristol, Anne takes an active interest in a number of local organisations through the Trust and serves as a member of the grants committee. In 2020, Anne was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for the City and County of Bristol Lieutenancy. Anne is High Sheriff of the County & City of Bristol 2026/27.
Rose Nisbet
Rose is an accomplished ceramist and a non-executive director of Key West Holdings, playing an active role in the Charitable Trust and serving on its grants committee since 2022.
Through her work with the Nisbet Trust, she is heavily involved in the Bristol community, allocating grants to organisations across the Greater Bristol region.
Michael Bothamley
Member of the grants committee, Michael is a retired development lawyer and involved with a number of Bristol charities including St Monica Trust and the Venturers Trust.
He has been a Governor of Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital and Colston Girls’ School, and a trustee of Bristol Zoo, the Tobacco Factory Arts Trust, and Clifton RFC.
He is also a former President of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative, the Canynges Society, and the Anchor Society. He was High Sheriff of Bristol in 2014/15.
Zoe Joyner
Member of the grants committee, Zoe is the Community and Engagement Partner at Nisbets Limited with over 10 years’ experience of working in Corporate Social Responsibility and a further 12 years in the hospitality sector. She has a deep knowledge of the charitable sector, particularly in Bristol.
During the pandemic, she worked for the NHS mass-vaccination programme, starting as a vaccinator before she became the NHS Operations and Engagement Lead, running an outreach team for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire vaccination programme.
Andrew Nisbet
Andrew is a Director of Key West Holdings, a family business that invests in multiple asset classes. He founded Nisbets, the multinational catering equipment and supplies distributor, where he remains a non-executive director.
Andrew plays an active role as a non-executive trustee for the Trust, supporting the community in the Greater Bristol area.
Joe Nisbet
Joe is a Director at Key West Holdings, a family business that invests in multiple asset classes. He plays an active role in the trust as a dedicated trustee.