In its early years, this competition was sponsored by Lloyds Bank. They were succeeded for three years by East West Consultants Ltd., and the years up to 2002-2003 were unsponsored. Then, in 2003-2004 Winton Capital Management started the current sponsorship.

Over the years the format of the competition has changed to take account of changing circumstances. The first controller of the competition was John Rice, who was succeeded by Brian Stephenson when the sponsorship passed to East West Consultants Ltd.