[3] Beattie was the first member of his family to enter into higher education, studying at Moseley School of Art, alongside UB40's Ali Campbell and Terence Wilson, and subsequently completing a degree in graphic design and photography at Wolverhampton Polytechnic.

[8] In 2002 he was listed by Marketing magazine as the 9th Most Influential Person in Media and in 2003 was voted IPA Best of the Best Awards Creative Director of the Year.

Within his acceptance speech Trevor announced he would offer a scholarship to forthcoming students in honor of his lecturer / teacher John Lowe.

The Jack and Ada Beattie Foundation supports victims of social injustice by providing grants to both organisations and individuals under the themes of 'Dignity', 'Freedom' and 'Sanctuary'.

He has expressed interest in making a film on the life and career of Coronation Street actress Jean Alexander who played Hilda Ogden for nearly 25 years.