Beginnings

The Charities Advisory Trust (CAT) was founded in 1979 by Dame Hilary Blume, with initial support from the Home Office, as the Charity Trading Advisory Group. Its original purpose was to provide impartial information and practical advice to charities seeking to develop sustainable trading and income-generation activities.

What began as an advisory body quickly evolved into an organisation that did not just give guidance, but actively created and piloted innovative, ethical and income-generating projects for the charitable sector.

In January 2025, Dame Hilary Blume formally retired from her role, after more than four decades of extraordinary leadership, vision and impact. Her pioneering work has influenced hundreds of charities and social enterprises and continues to shape CAT’s values, approach and ambition.

Our Aim

We are dedicated to finding practical, creative and sustainable ways to tackle inequality and injustice — combining entrepreneurial thinking with deep social purpose.

CAT specialises in:

• Developing ethical trading initiatives

• Supporting grassroots and international partners

• Creating projects that bring dignity, wellbeing and opportunity to people in need