The Royal seal of approval

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) was established in 1990 as a charity of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, the organisation representing companies and individuals who supply goods and services to the Households of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales. QEST's aim is to sustain Britain's cultural heritage by supporting the training and education of talented and aspiring craftsmen and women. This can be through traditional college courses, craft apprenticeships or one-on-one training with masters. To date, QEST has funded 550 people across more than 130 different crafts, from stonemasonry to handloom weaving, cordwaining to ceramics, giving over £4.5 million in scholarships and apprenticeships. Almost 90 percent of QEST alumni are still practising their craft and are giving back to their field through teaching and mentoring.