Mike Welch, a Scottish entrepreneur who built his wealth through an online tyre business, shared a pivotal moment from his youth that could have led him down a very different path—funeral services. This revelation came during a gala celebrating 50 years of The King's Trust, a charity founded by King Charles III.
At 15, Welch faced the daunting reality of leaving school due to struggles with dyslexia and limited opportunities. After losing his job installing tyres, he found himself at a job centre in Liverpool, staring at two stark options: a listing for a funeral director—a "great career," he admits, but "pretty grim"—and an invitation to a charity event offering grants to budding entrepreneurs.
Choosing the latter, Welch soon found himself in a church, surrounded by vintage decor and supportive faces. The atmosphere was far from the cutthroat environment of reality shows like Shark Tank, yet he felt the pressure as he pitched his idea to sell affordable tyres to niche markets, including friends with modified cars.
This encounter marked Welch's introduction to The Prince's Trust, which transitioned to The King's Trust following Charles's ascension to the throne in 2023. “It wasn’t a well thought out plan, really,” Welch reflected from his home in Florida. “But they backed me. They backed my enthusiasm. They gave me a chance.”
Since its inception in 1976, The King's Trust has empowered over 1.3 million young people in the UK through various initiatives aimed at education and employment. Notable beneficiaries include actor Idris Elba and fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, showcasing the charity's far-reaching impact.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla embark on their first state visit to the U.S. since his coronation, they will highlight The King's Trust's mission to expand its influence across more than two dozen countries, including the United States. A gala in New York on Wednesday will commemorate this milestone.
Royal family members have historically supported charities, enhancing awareness and fundraising efforts. Observers note Charles's commitment to youth employment is evident in his establishment of this foundation, which continues to thrive under his royal patronage.
“The harsh reality today is that the need for the work of people like the trust is growing at a rate far faster than we can grow,” stated Jeremy Green, trustee of the King's Trust Group Company and chair of the King's Trust USA.
The trust operates primarily in nations once under British rule, reaching young people through schools and established nonprofit partners. Programs like Get Hired assist those without college degrees in securing their first jobs, while Development Awards provide grants for essential career tools such as laptops or professional attire.
The Enterprise Challenge encourages students to create businesses that address local issues. “What we see every time is that young people want to be helped. They want to be taken seriously,” Green emphasized. "And it’s not just giving them money. It’s giving them opportunity.”
LaKenya Sharpe, principal of The Collins Academy High School in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood, expressed how The King's Trust's support has transformed her students' outlook. Their project, C2C: Crops2Customers, grows and sells fresh vegetables to local stores lacking access to produce.
“A lot of times our babies feel like no one’s watching or paying attention," Sharpe noted. “This shows that they can achieve anything. Their belief now is ‘Oh, other people are watching.’ And they ask, ‘How far can this go?’ My answer is simple: ‘It can go as far as you take it. Don’t let anything limit you.'”
The gala aims to highlight “the very best of British-American philanthropy through individual arts and cultural investments,” according to Victoria Gore, CEO of The King’s Trust USA.
This celebration occurs amid rising tensions between U.S. and UK leaders, particularly following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s refusal to support U.S. military actions in Iran, which has drawn ire from President Donald Trump.
Despite these political strains, trust leaders assert that the anniversary festivities were planned long before recent events. Charles's focus on philanthropic ties serves as a reminder of shared interests between the two nations, according to JP Tribe, a senior lecturer at the University of Liverpool.
“Hopefully the gala is an event that demonstrates both countries can engage in positive public benefit activities that assist the most disadvantaged,” Tribe remarked.
The King's Trust US aims to reach 1,000 young individuals in America this year. Their primary partner in this endeavor is City Year, an education nonprofit that introduced The Collins Academy to The King’s Trust and deploys young adults to teach in schools nationwide. AmeriCorps members are piloting a version of the “Get Hired” program alongside other partners like Per Scholas and Maryland school districts.
Gore highlighted that student participants are often focused on their immediate communities, aiming to show them they can make a difference where they live.
"Keeping employment in communities is key to everyone’s success," Gore stated.
Welch emphasized that impactful change doesn’t require massive investments; he received a modest £500 grant and invaluable mentorship that provided office space for his fledgling company, which he later sold for £50 million ($68 million) to Michelin.
He believes the framework for The King's Trust's successful expansion already exists; it simply requires building relationships with local partners who can reach those most in need.
“What we see in Chicago or Orlando is really no different—just local nuances,” Welch explained as he discussed his latest venture with Anglo Atlantic advisory and investment firm. "But it mirrors what we observe in Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester.”
