The Mark Williams Foundation has been officially granted full charitable status by OSCR, the Scottish Charity Regulator, writes Peter Brown.
Founded in memory of Mark Williams, the late CEO of The NWH Group and a passionate advocate for family and opportunity, the Foundation is dedicated to supporting fathers facing barriers to contact with their children, and to empowering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue entrepreneurship.
The milestone marks a major step forward for the Foundation’s growth and impact across Scotland.
Nicola Williams is the founder of the charity and wife of the late Mark Williams. She said: “This is such a significant and emotional moment for all of us. The Foundation was born out of Mark’s vision for fairness, resilience, and hope.
“Achieving charitable status allows us to scale up and reach even more families and young people – something I know Mark would have been immensely proud of.”
There are two programmes being launched, she explained. The first is Legal Support Referral Programme (October 2025), which is designed to help financially disadvantaged fathers access legal advice and support to maintain meaningful relationships with their children, in partnership with leading family law firms.
The second is Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship Scheme (December 2025), which will support young people aged 18–25 with mentoring, business coaching and startup seed funding to kickstart their own ventures, especially those who might otherwise struggle to access traditional employment or higher education routes.
These initiatives aim to challenge systemic barriers and create sustainable, long-term outcomes for individuals and communities across Scotland, Nicola added.
The Foundation, established by Nicola Williams in 2025, seeks to continue his legacy by championing those too often left behind – fathers navigating the legal system, and young people striving to create their own future.
“Becoming a registered charity provides us with the platform to grow, fundraise, and partner with other organisations who share our values,” she said.
“But most importantly, it brings us closer to realising Mark’s vision: that every child should have access to both parents, and every young person deserves a fair shot.”
For more information about the Foundation, upcoming programmes, and partnership opportunities, go to LinkedIn.
The Mark Williams Foundation is being officially launched at a fundraising event on Thursday 25th September 2025 at the National Museum of Scotland. Find out more about the event on Facebook.
