Sir John Zochonis

At PZ Cussons we enjoy a rich heritage dating back over 135 years. Our story is one of strong growth, built on family values that have guided generations, as the Company has expanded around the world, to do the right thing.

PZ began in Sierra Leone, West Africa, in 1884, when founders George Paterson and George Zochonis began trading commodities with the UK. Nearly a century later, in 1975, the firm they founded acquired the equally illustrious Cussons Group, creating the PZ Cussons we know today.

Over all those years we’ve grown to become an international consumer goods group – home to some of the world’s best loved and most trusted brands. The bold spirit, pioneering energy and entrepreneurship of our founders, combined with strong beliefs about how best to do business and a love of learning, are still at the very core of who we are.

The Zochonis family remains major shareholders in PZ Cussons and champions of our PZ purpose, For everyone, for life, for good.

Sir John Zochonis founded the Zochonis Charitable Trust in 1977 to support charities operating primarily in the Northwest of England, close to the Manchester headquarters of PZ Cussons. Its aim was to provide financial assistance in the spheres of health, education, youth and social equity. This remains the principal focus of the Trust with important support also being given to charities operating in Ghana and Sierra Leone.

The Zochonis family manages the Trust independently from the Company using dividends from its PZ Cussons shareholding to fund its charitable donations. By the Trust’s fortieth anniversary over £55 million had been donated to charitable causes. Today, as members of the Zochonis family have bequeathed additional shares, around 13% of PZ Cussons dividends go to the Trust every year.

This important work is a source of pride but has been happening behind the scenes without fanfare. To mark its fortieth anniversary the Trust published a booklet to share short stories from some of those charities it supports.

If you have any questions about the work of the Zochonis Charitable Trust, please contact:

Marie E Gallagher (Miss)
Management Assistant
The Zochonis Charitable Trust
Manchester Business Park
3500 Aviator Way
Manchester
M22 5TG

Email: [email protected]

Download the Anniversary Booklet here.

Whizz Kidz charity, with their permission