33 UK philanthropists named as Beacon Fellows for 2013
Howard Lake | 7 February 2013 | News
The Beacon Fellowship and J.P. Morgan Private Bank last night named 33 of the most prestigious philanthropists in the UK as Beacon Fellows for 2013. They were announced at the 8th Beacon Awards for Philanthropy held at Mansion House, London.
The Awards are sponsored by J.P. Morgan Private Bank and supported by the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust and Pears Foundation. They aim to celebrate outstanding philanthropic achievement made by individuals, families and small groups of individuals working collaboratively.
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Alderman Roger Gifford, Lord Mayor of the City of London and Beacon Awards Judge
Collective donations of £100 million
The judges praised those “who have set the standards of best practice in philanthropy and whose work in this field has made a sustainable difference, a significant impact, or work to inspire future generations”.
Together the 33 Beacon Fellows have donated £100 million to various charitable causes, local and international. The Awards, however, recognise not just the amount of money given to charity but also the fact that Fellows have made a sustainable difference, a significant impact, or have worked to inspire future generations. This year’s Fellows include those who have helped establish new funding vehicles, giving platforms and income generation mechanisms.
Tracey Reddings, Head of UK Private Wealth Management at J.P. Morgan Private Bank said: “We hope that this year’s Beacon Fellows will promote the fulfillment that philanthropy can bring, and inspire others to start their own philanthropic journey to create legacy for generations to come.”
How Beacon Fellows are chosen
The Beacon Fellows were chosen by a panel of philanthropists, philanthropy practitioners and advisors in the UK, who chose from a list of nominations made in October 2012. Judges included Duncan Bannatyne, Kate Adie, the Lord Mayor of the City of London Corporation, Roger Gifford.
Thomas Hughes-Hallett and Kate Adie OBE
New Award for City Philanthropy
This year an Award for ‘City Philanthropy’ was introduced, sponsored by the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust.
Alderman Roger Gifford, Lord Mayor of the City of London, explained: “Centuries of philanthropic practice and understanding of the value of endowed capital have ensured the UK has very well-established and effective charity and tax law – making London a global centre for managing international philanthropic funds. By celebrating and showcasing exceptional examples of social investment and charitable support, we can inspire others and maximise the impact of philanthropic giving.”
Judges’ Special Award for JK Rowling
The Judges gave a Special Award to author J.K. Rowling OBE, Founder of The Volant Charitable Trust. She said: “Being recognised by The Beacon Fellowship means a great deal to me; it validates the work we are doing at The Volant Charitable Trust while recognising the value of giving in a thoughtful and intelligent manner, both of which we strive to do.”
2013 Beacon Awards winners
Beacon Award for City Philanthropy
- Harvey McGrath – Chair of the education charity, The Prince’s Teaching Institute
- John Stone – Founder of The Stone Family Foundation
- 2011/12 Young Philanthropy Syndicate Founders (Michael Harris, Adam Pike, Sam Cohen, Alex Dwek, Alex Gardner, Paul Gorrie, Niccolo Manzoni, Jack Prevezer, Conor Quinn)
Beacon Award for Targeted Philanthropy
- Paul Marshall – Co-founder and trustee of global children’s charity ARK
- Gordon Morrison – Chairman of Sargent Cancer Care for Children
- J.K. Rowling OBE – Founder of The Volant Charitable Trust
The Beacon Award for Philanthropy Advocate
- Angila Chada & Michael McKibbin – Ambassadors for the Community Foundation NI
- Harris Bokhari – National advisory board member for the HRH Prince of Wales charity Mosaic
- Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett – Ex-Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care
- Kavita Oberoi – Chair of the Global Girls’ Fund Board
Beacon Award for Place-Based Philanthropy
- Nick Ferguson CBE & Jane Ferguson – Founders of The Kilfinan Trust
- Jack Morris OBE – Chairman of the Business Design Centre Group
The Beacon Award for Cultural Philanthropy
- Carol Colburn Grigor CBE – Manages her family-founded Dunard Fund
- Lloyd Dorfman CBE – Member of the NT Board
- Sir Vernon Ellis – Chairman of the National Opera Studio, President of English National Opera, Chair of the British Council, President of the Classical Opera Company, former Trustee of the Royal College of Music and RCM Fellow
The Beacon Award for Impact Investment
- Sir Ronald Cohen – Chair, Big Society Capital; Former Chair, Social Investment Task Force; Former Chair Commission on Unclaimed Assets; Co-Founder and Former Chair, Bridges Ventures; and Co-founder and former Director, Social Financial UK.
- Nick O’Donohoe – CEO of Big Society Capital and on the Board of the Global Impact Investing Network
- John Pontin OBE & Wendy Stephenson – Founders of Converging World charity
Beacon Award for Pioneering Philanthropy
- Richard Bradbury CBE – Fundamental supporter of the charity Scope
- Stephen Dawson OBE – Co-founder of Impetus Trust
- Michael Norton OBE – Founder of over 40 charities including Youthbank and www.buzzbnk.org
- Marcelle Speller OBE – founder of Localgiving.com
Special Awards
Four Special awards were made by the judges, commended the refor demonstrating the highest standards of philanthropy in the UK today:
- Sir Vernon Ellis – Chairman of the National Opera Studio, President of English National Opera, Chair of the British Council, President of the Classical Opera Company, former Trustee of the Royal College of Music and RCM Fellow
- Harvey McGrath – Chair of the education charity, The Prince’s Teaching Institute
- J.K. Rowling OBE – Founder of The Volant Charitable Trust
- John Stone – Founder of The Stone Family Foundation
www.beaconfellowship.org.uk
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.