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Frequently Asked Questions

The Rank Fellowship

What is the Rank Fellowship?: The Rank Fellowship is an organization made up of past and present beneficiaries of the Rank Foundation’s School Leadership Award, known as Rank Fellows. For more details click here.
Why was it created?: The Fellowship was set up to nurture leaders for the benefit of society. It sprang from the vision of Fred Packard, the late Chairman of the Rank Foundation, who wanted to establish a forum where holders of the School Leadership Award could meet, socialize and work together.
When was it created?: The Rank Fellowship was launched in November 2003, twenty five years after the Rank Foundation Leadership Award was set up.
How many Rank Fellows are there?: About 1,300 (as at 2010)
Am I a Rank Fellow?: If you are aware that you had anonymous financial support in the sixth form at school, it may have been Rank funded, so you may be a Rank Fellow. Please contact us to check.
What is expected of a Rank Fellow?: As holders of the Rank Foundation Leadership Award, Rank Fellows are encouraged to behave as leaders in society – in short, to inspire others by their example. In practical terms, it is hoped that they will contribute to society and will be active among the community of Fellows – for example, by participating in events.
How can I get in touch?: Feel free to contact Tim Young or other members of the Steering Committee if you have any queries. The Fellowship is represented on LinkedIn (contact Kate Kynvin) and Facebook (contact Max Kirby) or click here.
Is there any religious aspect to the Rank Fellowship?: No.
What is the relationship with the Rank Foundation?: The Rank Fellowship takes over when a Fellow’s formal relationship with the Rank Foundation ends at the end of their sixth form or university career. Tim Young, as administrator of the Leadership Award, acts as a key point of contact between the two organizations in their joint endeavor to invest in leaders and advance charitable causes.
Who are the Rank family?: The Rank Foundation was set up by Lord (J. Arthur) Rank in 1953, continuing a tradition of enlightened benevolence that became a hallmark of the Rank family. J. Arthur’s grandson, the late Fred Packard, established the Rank Fellowship 50 years later. The Ranks had their origins in milling, but their charitable activities began with J. Arthur’s father, Joseph Rank, whose legacy is now known as The Joseph Rank Trust.

The Leadership Award

What is the award?

The Rank Foundation School Leadership Award recognizes “outstanding leadership potential” in candidates requiring some financial support to complete their education. It was created in order to invest in “the seed corn of the future and the leaders of tomorrow” on the initiative of Robin Cowen, Lord Rank’s son-in-law and successor as Chairman of the Rank Foundation.

Who qualifies for the award?

In order to qualify for the Award, applicants must be:

at a participating independent or state school
in need of financial support to complete their school or university careers, and
regarded by their Head as possessing outstanding leadership potential.

See here for more details.

When did the Rank School Leadership Award start?

In 1978: the Award recognizes the leadership potential of outstanding individuals in the belief that leadership may be exhibited in any sphere of activity or walk of life. By definition, leaders are highly motivated to excel in their chosen fields but also confident enough to pursue their own passions and define their own areas of interest. The Award invests in leaders as individuals and exemplars, not as stereotypes.

How many at school receive the leadership award each year?

Currently, between 10 and 25 Leadership Awards are made by the Trustees each year.

Do I have to pay the funding back?

No.

What is expected of Rank Fellows at school?

It is a formal requirement that Award holders spend two weeks working for a not-for-profit organization where the Rank Foundation has very strong links. More broadly, Fellows at School are encouraged to continue to demonstrate the qualities of leadership that the Award recognizes.

What is expected of Rank Fellows once they have left school?

As holders of the Rank Foundation Leadership Award, Rank Fellows are encouraged to behave as leaders in society – in short, to inspire others by their example. In practical terms, it is hoped that they will contribute to society and will be active among the community of Fellows – for example, by participating in events.

Why was the award anonymous?

The Rank Foundation had two major reasons for discretion in the first decade or so of the Leadership Awards: a wish to remain in the background as a grant-giving charity and a concern that there might be a flood of applications from across the independent school sector.

When did the award stop being anonymous?

In the 1990s.

What else does the Rank Foundation support?

See here for more details.

Being a Rank Fellow

When does a Rank School Leadership Award holder become a Rank Fellow?: At the start of year 12 (1st year sixth) or at University: see here for more details.
Are there any famous Rank Fellows?: Yes. Chris Adams, the most successful cricket captain Sussex have ever had, and Simon Beaufoy, who won an Oscar for the screenplay of Slumdog Millionaire, both have their own Wikipedia entries.
Are there other Fellows living near me?: Please see our Fellows Database, check LinkedIn, post on our Facebook wall or contact Tim Young.
What if I can’t give any time now?: Don't worry. There is no pressure on any Fellow, no obligation. It is believed after the selection process that most Fellows are predisposed to want to put something back, given an opportunity.
Why should I bother?: There is no coercion to give something back to society at any stage, but the overwhelming majority of Leadership Award-holders have expressed the wish to do so, when the opportunity arises.
How can I become more involved?: Contact us – see here.
What events are held?: The Fellowship organises dinners, mentoring evenings, charities’ evenings and professional workshops for small charities. See here.
Are any events held outside of London?: Yes – we held the 2008 Charities Evening in Manchester. The 2010 event is planned for the West Country in November and we have held dinners in locations such as Sedbergh and Bolton. Fellows come from across the British Isles and the Fellowship is committed to maximising opportunities for all Fellows to participate in its events.
When is the next event?: See here for details.
Is a Rank Fellow only meant to help Rank supported projects?: No – voluntarism and charitable endeavour are encouraged across the spectrum of charities and causes.
How does the Rank Fellowship communicate?: Our website is regularly updated. Newsletters are sent out by email 4 times a year. We also have a Facebook and LinkedIn online presence. As ever, these are no substitute for the personal channels of communication that flourish amid the many friends across the Fellowship.
How do I sign up to the newsletter?: Click here.
Is the Fellowship represented on any social networking sites?: Yes – Facebook and LinkedIn.
What is the link with Brazil?: Fred Packard’s idea to locate past Fellows, and encourage them to work together for the general betterment of society, was very much inspired by the work and success of the Fundação Estudar, which he has closely followed since its inception. See here for more details.
Are there other international links?: Yes, established via two committee members. Committee member Noomane Fehri is head of the London branch of L’ATUGE, the Tunisian Association of Grandes Ecoles (L’Atuge) is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit making association. Stephen Day is a retired diplomat, with a particular interest in leadership in the Arab world. He has played a vital role in connecting the Fellowship with similar organisations in other countries.

The Fellowship Steering Committee

Who is on the Committee?: Click here for details.
How often does the Committee meet?: 4 times a year
Where does it meet?: At the Rank Foundation HQ in Victoria, SW1.
How can I get more involved?: Please contact Tim Young.
Are there regional committees or is everything based in London?: The Steering Committee is based in London, but the Fellowship is constantly working to strengthen its regional presence and activities away from London as well.