Youth Or Adult's Twenty-First Birthday
An Inspirational Archbishop
The Waldorf Hilton in London was the venue for an outstanding celebration of The Rank Foundation's Youth Or Adult? programme's twenty-first birthday. Two hundred and fifty specially invited guests, most of them graduates of the Youth Or Adult? Scheme, gathered together for a gala dinner in the presence of Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, and Fred Packard, Chairman of The Rank Foundation.
Dr Sentamu gave an inspirational address, as did Fred Packard. Tribute was properly paid to Robin Cowen, Life President of the Foundation, Larry Parsons, Charlie Harris and Chris Dunning, architects and developers of "Youth Or Adult?". Danya O'Meally of JUMP sang beautifully, while Eldora Edward of Paddington Arts led a street dance and Elsbeth Neil organised a ceilidh. Most excitingly for the Fellowship, YARN, the network of several hundred graduates of "Youth Or Adult" was launched, in many ways a sister organisation to the Fellowship. This splendid occasion at the Waldorf was both a celebration and a jumping-off point.
Daniela Barone Soares, an alumnus of Fundacao Estudar and Rank Fellow, is the Chief Executive of Impetus Trust, which offers venture philanthropy in the UK by providing money and expertise for charities and social enterprises. A recent report shows that Impetus helps to generate £6 for every £1 that is donated, through co-investment from private equity backers and the provision of pro-bono expertise to help in the running of charities.
Charities backed by Impetus included Speaking Up which provides training and support for disabled people and has supported 94% more people on average over the period of investment, and St Giles Trust, which helps to reduce re-offending. St Giles Trust has helped 109% more people year on year since investment, while its income has grown 37% a year.
Stop Press We are delighted to announce that Impetus won the Grantmaking award at the 9th annual Charity Awards, held last Thursday.
Everyone in the Fellowship will be delighted to learn of Geoffrey Pelham-Lane's appointment as Chief Executive of Financial Dynamics UK, a highly successful business which offers clients a wide range of strategic communications consultancy services such as Financial Communications and Investor Relations, Reputation Management and Public Affairs, and Brand Communications.
Geoffrey has been notably generous in offering work experience and career advice to younger Fellows. Geoffrey's own career took him to Financial Dynamics in 2000, having previously been the Head of Investor Relations for NatWest Group. Before that he held a number of senior lending roles at NatWest as well as working for five years in fund management with Leopold Joseph. Warmest congratulations to Geoffrey.
Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader. - Tacitus