The Rowntrees: York's great philanthropists and what we can all still learn from them

How did a small family of Quaker confectioners in York change the way we think about business forever?

James explores the fascinating history of the Rowntree family with Nick Smith from the Rowntree Society. From Joseph Rowntree’s pioneering "Living Wage" experiments to the complex colonial history of the cocoa trade, we explore how a legacy of faith-led social responsibility evolved into a global blueprint for modern social justice and corporate purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

• The Quaker Root: How the Rowntree family’s faith drove their radical views on worker welfare and poverty.
• More Than Chocolate: Joseph Rowntree’s role in creating the foundations for modern philanthropy.
• The Ethical Conflict: Navigating the "bitter" side of the confectionery industry’s colonial past.
• York’s DNA: How the Rowntree influence still shapes community development and social policy in the UK today.

LINKS

https://www.rowntreesociety.org.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therowntreesociety

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowntreesociety/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rowntreesociety

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therowntreesociety

Find out more about The Purpose Brief: https://www.resolutepurpose.co.uk/

Keywords & Tags: #Rowntree #YorkHistory #QuakerValues #SocialJustice #EthicalBusiness #Philanthropy #CorporatePurpose #HistoryShorts #JosephRowntree #SocialResponsibility