New name for Tower Bridge owner and major charity funder

THE owner of Tower Bridge, and London’s biggest independent charity funder, has changed its name – to reflect its unique role in the life of the capital.

Nine-hundred-year-old charity Bridge House Estates is responsible for five Thames bridges, while its funding team, City Bridge Trust, awards over £30 million a year to organisations across London.

Now, they will operate under a new name – City Bridge Foundation – chosen to bring together under one banner its dual role as bridge owner and major player in the capital’s charity sector.

The foundation, whose sole trustee is the City of London Corporation, is also responsible for London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Millennium Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge.

Giles Shilson, City Bridge Foundation Chairman, said:

“For centuries, we’ve been bridging London – literally and metaphorically – and connecting the capital’s communities. 

“Many people are not aware that we maintain five bridges at no cost to the taxpayer, and the surplus funds remaining from that work are used to support charities across Greater London.

“Bridge House Estates has a long and proud history and City Bridge Trust is well-known in London’s charity sector, but we wanted a name that encompasses all our work.

“The new identity will help to unite the two sides of our unique organisation and to give greater clarity when we communicate with Londoners.

“It will underpin our vision of a London that is fairer, safer, more equitable and greener; and support our commitment to further that ambition through our role as a leader in the sector and a funder of organisations working on the frontline to support communities across the capital.”

The new name is accompanied by a new logo with five horizontal lines reflecting the foundation’s five bridges and a curved line representing the River Thames.

A flag bearing the new logo was raised today over Tower Bridge – one of five bridges the charity maintains at zero cost to the taxpayer.

City Bridge Foundation’s new website can be found at: www.citybridgefoundation.org.uk.