Trevor Beattie might not be the most recognisable person we’ve interviewed but he’s hands down one of the most interesting. Through a charitable foundation honouring his mum and dad, Trevor’s helping some of the most needy in society – and crucially sending the signal that someone out there cares
Adman, film maker and galactic gallivanter… Trevor Beattie leads an extraordinary life. As well as the day job crafting excellent films, he’s trekked to the South Pole with Buzz Aldrin, rubbed shoulders with Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali and fulfilled his boyhood dream of flying to space – the first Brummie to do so. One of his most cherished achievements is the Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation he created in honour of his parents in 2011.
The Foundation awards cash grants to people who need it most and is about to launch a new initiative called Tons of Help. It’s a simple notion. Start with a pile of money, chop it up into £100 portions and give it away. If you’re in need, apply. If you can help out, contribute.
Trevor says: “We’ve done a lot of research and the unit of £100 feels important. For some it’s nothing, for others it’s a fortune – a week’s energy bill, the food shop, Christmas presents.” He adds: “Things are tough. Groceries have risen 20 per cent since lockdown. It’s staggering.” With Christmas approaching and the additional pressure piled onto people who are already struggling, Trevor set about wondering what the Foundation could do right now which is where the Tons of Help idea came from.
FIGHTING YOUR CORNER
As one of eight children in a family that didn’t have much money, Trevor says he knows what it’s like to have a tough Christmas. The Foundation’s tagline is, knowing that someone is fighting your corner is half the battle. He says: “The crucial thing is knowing someone out there cares and the Foundation sends that signal to people.” Beneficiaries must be residents of Birmingham and applications must be submitted by a safeguarding referee such as a social worker, healthcare professional, education provider.
As well as cash grants, the Foundation has funded the return of D-Day veterans to Normandy for years. It started with 800 veterans, last year there was one and now, sadly there are none. Although Jack and Ada weren’t in the military, they lived through the second world war and had huge respect.
As with all big families, Trevor’s home life in Balsall Heath was busy. He attended Moseley School of Art followed by Wolverhampton Polytechnic where he studied Graphic Design leading to a sparkling career in advertising. Trevor made a name for himself in London with striking campaigns such as Wonderbra (Hello Boys) and French Connection (FCUK) as well as masterminding three general election campaigns and contributing to the invention of the New Labour brand.
The only ads Trevor creates now are for the films he makes and it turns out, he quite likes being the client. Trevor’s first film, Moon directed by Duncan Jones won a Bafta for Outstanding Debut by a British Director. More award-winning films followed including Nureyev, Spitfire, Lancaster and Midas Man, a biopic of Brian Epstein, the man who discovered the Beatles. Trevor says: “There are two mad projects about to kick off – dramas in every sense.” He can’t tell us more, but we’d put money on whatever it is being brilliant.
DREAM COME TRUE
Trevor’s trip to space with Virgin Galactic was genuinely a lifelong dream, the reality of which blew him away. As an 11-year-old, Trevor created a space project at school. He was so convinced that he would make it to space one day, he left the back page blank so he had room to insert a press cutting after his trip. It’s now complete.
His teacher, Mr Palmer, gave the project a mere B+ but Trevor had it re-marked by famed Moon landing astronaut Buzz Aldrin who gave it an A+. The battered project made it to space tucked under a chair. I wonder what Jack and Ada would have made of his voyage. Trevor says his dad would have laughed and, while his mum wasn’t thrilled by the idea, she would probably have been telling all her friends about it.
Of his home town Trevor says while it had a bad rep over the summer with the bin strikes making headlines, the city spectacularly came out for Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral and Birmingham was up again. He says: “Birmingham’s always changing. If you don’t like this one, don’t worry, we’re building a new one.”