Does philanthropy create utopia, and if so for whom? Those receiving, or those giving? Our panel discuss the motivations of philanthropy and its impact, and ask what it really means to make the world a better place.
Rory Brooks is co-founder of the international private equity group MML Capital Partners. In 2005 the Rory & Elizabeth Brooks Foundation became the principal benefactor of the Brooks World Poverty Institute. Rory is Chairman of the University of Manchester’s Global Leadership Board and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University in October 2010. Rory sits on the Board of the Centre for Social Justice. He was a member of the 2012 Government Task Force on Philanthropy in Higher Education, the “Pearce Report” and was Chairman of the Giving Summit Action Group on Ethics and Education. He is an advisor to the Board of the Quintessentially Foundation. He was awarded the CBE for services to philanthropy in June 2015.
Rebecca Eastmond is a Philanthropy Advisor at J.P. Morgan. Rebecca began her career as a private client lawyer. She worked at Allen & Overy for six years, advising high-net-worth individuals and large grant-making charities. In 2002, Rebecca left Allen & Overy to develop the pilot of The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts. In 2005, she was appointed by HRH The Prince of Wales as CEO of the new charity, and worked with a core group of donors to grow the charity — which from 2008-2009 helped over 33,000 children across the UK. She joined J.P. Morgan in 2008. Rebecca is a global advisory council member for Acumen, and a former advisory council member for Teach First. She is a trustee of Smart Works as well as of two grant-making foundations and has served on the board of the Philanthropy Review. She is included in the Citywealth Leaders List and listed as a leading philanthropy advisor in the Spears 500. She read law at Oxford University and is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales.
William MacAskill (@willmacaskill) is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Lincoln College, Oxford and author of Doing Good Better. He has cofounded two non-profits: 80,000 Hours, which provides research and advice on how individuals can best make a difference through your career, and Giving What We Can, which encourages people to commit to give at least 10% of their income to the most effective charities. So far, these organisations have raised $500 million in lifetime pledged donations and helped to spark the effective altruism movement.
Caroline Mason is Chief Executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (@esmeefairbairn). Before joining Esmée, Caroline was Chief Operating Officer at Big Society Capital and preceding that, Charity Bank. Caroline was also the co-founder of Investing for Good, a social investment advisory firm and one of the first Community Interest Companies. Before joining the social sector, Caroline had an eighteen-year track record of creative and innovative product development in the financial services sector.
Thomas Hughes-Hallett is Founder and Chair of the Marshall Institute Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship.
Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship at LSE's core aim is to improve the impact and effectiveness of private contributions to the public good.
This event will be followed by a complimentary drinks reception to celebrate the opening night of the Literary Festival.
This event forms part of the LSE Space for Thought Literary Festival 2016, taking place from Monday 22 - Saturday 27 February 2016, with the theme 'Utopias'.
Suggested hashtag for this event for Twitter users: #LSELitFest
Podcast
A podcast of this event is available to download from Idealistic, Ostentatious or Indispensable? Examining the Utopian Aims of Philanthropy
Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.