The creation of the Entente Cordiale scholarships was announced on 30 October 1995 by British Prime Minister John Major and French President Jacques Chirac at an Anglo-French summit in London.
The more they learn about their near neighbour as they advance in their education, the more they can contribute to the enlightened partnership and growing opportunities, which we are now developing in an enlarged Europe.”[6] The programme was initiated by Sir Christopher Mallaby, British ambassador to France between 1993 and 1996.
During his first months as ambassador in France, he decided he had to move quickly if he was to do anything “to try to reduce the ingrained suspicion that can arise between the British and the French.” The problem, he explained, “arises from past rivalry and current ignorance.” He therefore encouraged the Entente Cordiale scholarship scheme, which funds studies for postgraduate students across the Channel “at an age when impressions and friendships are forged for life.” Another strong support of the scheme was French writer and politician Maurice Druon,[7] who was appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his work in wartime London and for his broadcasts to occupied France from the BBC.
Companies currently funding the Entente Cordiale Scholarships scheme are the following: Rolls-Royce, Rothschild, Areva, Schlumberger, Herbert Smith.
[10] In the past, the following companies have supported the programme: Académie Française, Alstom, Arjo Wiggins, Banque Paribas, British Airways, Cap Gemini, Charles Schiaffino, European Investment Bank, GlaxoWellcome SA, Groupe Axa, Groupe Saint Louis, Institute of Applied Languages, JCB, Lagardère, Matra BAe Dynamics, Louis Dreyfus & Cie SA, L'Oréal, Le Progrès, Messier Dowty International Ltd, Pernod Ricard, Redlands Granulates, Rothschild & Cie, Rover France, Saint Gobain, Société des Bourses Françaises, H.H.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, CCF, Fondation Singer-Polignac, Groupe RMC, Groupe Darty, Institut de France, Linklaters and Alliance, Turbomeca, Blue Circle (Lafarge), Corus, Financial Times, Madame Alice Goldet, Roy Jenkins Memorial Trust, Unilever, Arcadian International, Axa UK, BP Amoco Foundation, British Midland, BT, CGNU, The Dulverton Trust, EDF Energy, Hillsdown Holdings plc, Kingfisher, NatWest Bank, Mr Paul Minet, The Reuters Foundation, The Rhodes Trust, The Savoy Educational Trust, Securicor plc, Sir Patrick Sheehy, Steelite International plc, UBS, Xerox UK Ltd, EDF, Vodafone Foundation UK, Dassault Systèmes, Boucheron.