Rowntree Trust Confronts Colonial Past with New Reparations Role
The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT), a philanthropic organisation funded by profits from the Rowntree's chocolate empire, has taken a significant step in addressing its historical ties to colonialism. It has appointed Professor Keon West as its head of reparations, a role dedicated to tackling the brand's connections to enslavement and exploitation.
Confronting a Complex Legacy
Rowntree's, known for inventing iconic treats like KitKat, Fruit Pastilles, and Smarties, has a history intertwined with colonial supply chains. Research triggered by the Black Lives Matter movement revealed that African and Asian workers were exploited in the production of goods for Rowntree businesses during the 19th and 20th centuries. While the Rowntree family did not directly own enslaved people, their enterprises benefited from commodities produced by enslaved or unfree labour, dating back to 1822.
In the 1890s, Rowntree & Co purchased plantations in Dominica, Jamaica, and Trinidad, using indentured labour—a system of bonded work that replaced slavery. Additionally, the company sourced cocoa from enslaved Africans in Portuguese-colonised West African islands like São Tomé and Príncipe, and had interests in colonial Nigeria, Ghana, and apartheid South Africa. In the 1980s, Black workers at the South African subsidiary Wilson Rowntree faced oppressive labour practices.
A Step Towards Justice
In 2021, JRCT expressed deep regret for these historical links, acknowledging they contributed to systemic racism. The trust committed to strengthening racial justice efforts and engaging with affected communities to develop a restorative justice plan. Professor Keon West, a social psychologist and author of The Science of Racism, will lead this initiative. He stated, "I am honoured to accept this role. It offers the power and the responsibility to make real, meaningful changes in the lives of those who have been exploited."
West, a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and head of research at the Runnymede Trust, emphasised that reparations are about addressing ongoing economic injustices rooted in history. Nicola Purdy, JRCT's chief executive, welcomed West, noting the programme aims to further charitable purposes by addressing injustices and their lasting impacts.
Broader Context and Funding
The Rowntree family was part of a Quaker business trio, including Fry and Cadbury, that dominated the confectionery trade during the colonial era. Nestlé acquired the Rowntree's brand in 1988. JRCT, founded on Quaker principles to combat injustice, funds organisations focused on peace, equality, human rights, and climate issues, with grants totalling £13.5 million in 2025. In 2023, it donated £10,000 to the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations, which advocates for a formal UK government apology for slavery and colonisation.
This appointment marks a pivotal moment in the UK reparations movement, as global pressure mounts on former colonial powers to acknowledge and redress historical wrongs.
