trustee of the Cote Charity, set up in 1968, which in 2009 opened Katherine House, a residential care home and in 2016, Griffiths House for those living with dementia. Involvement in the slave trade The society was an active participant in the transatlantic slave trade from the seventeenth century until the eighteenth century. Edward Colston's membership The organisation says that Edward Colston became a member of the slave trading Royal African Company in 1680 and joined the society in 1683, continuing to live in London and attending two meetings. Archives Records of the Society of Merchant Venturers including foundation and membership, administrative, financial, charities, education, estates management, trade, associated clubs and societies, the Seamen's Hospital Fund, and various name indexes are held at Bristol Archives (Ref. SMV) (online catalogue) as well as further papers and correspondence related to the Society of Merchant Venturers' interests (Ref. 12152) (online catalogue). Other deeds and estate papers related to the society's interests in Somerset and Dorset are available at Somerset Heritage Centre. Current status The Society of Merchant Venturers comprises men and women, who volunteer their skills and expertise to support the organisation's objectives. The Merchant Venturers work closely with the wider community and many of its members play a role in Bristol's commercial life and the institutions within the city. Its objectives are to: Contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the greater Bristol area through active support of enterprise and commercial and community activity; Enhance the quality of life for all, particularly for the young, aged and disadvantaged; Promote learning and the acquisition of skills by supporting education; Act as effective stewards of the charitable trusts, heritage, ancient buildings and open spaces for which the society is responsible. Criticisms According to an article in local magazine Venue in 2002, many members were not active in charity. However, the society says that the qualification for potential members is being "prominent in their own sphere of business and active in the charitable or public life of the area". There were no female full members of the society until 2003 (though Margaret Thatcher had earlier been made an honorary member), and no ethnic minority members until 2017 when Mohammed Saddiq, executive director of Wessex Water, was appointed; followed by Marti Burgess in 2020, a partner at Bevan Brittan. Venue said that the Merchant Venturers control 12 charities and 40 trust funds, and also a private