University inquiry into donors reveals Boots links to slavery

The high street chemist Boots' links to the transatlantic slave trade have been revealed in research that shows how the proceeds became entangled with British capitalism.

- Chris Osuh

Jesse Boot, the son of the company's founder, grew the chemist with the help of banks and premises linked to slavery. He was not identified as involved in the enslavement of people, the trade of enslaved people or trade in goods made by enslaved people.

Nottingham and Nottingham Trent universities commissioned a report looking into donors dating back to their forerunner institution, University College Nottingham (UCN), from 1875 until 1960.

The report, compiled with the assistance of Boots, identified eight patrons "with historic links to the transatlantic slave economy" who made "between 36% and 44%" of private donations to the college in the period, including Jesse Boot and Boots, Barclays, Midland Bank, Lloyds bank and the defunct cigarette manufacturer John Player and Sons.