Philanthropy Advice Forum

NPC has established a steering group of individuals and organisations involved in providing philanthropy advice. The group was initially launched in December 2009, and is currently chaired by Lord Janvrin, Deputy Chairman of HSBC Private Bank (UK). The group has recently been re-named the Philanthropy Advice Forum and consists of private bankers and private client lawyers as well advisors from family offices and specialist philanthropy organisations. Click here for a full list of members.

This initiative is in response to the need for greater sharing of information and exchange of knowledge amongst those providing philanthropy advice. It is hoped that building a 'community of practice' will, in turn, build a more effective philanthropy advice market.

The reforming of the group in March 2011 under its new chair, Lord Janvrin, will take on more of a networking role alongside the ambition to promote and develop good philanthropy advice.

Statement of intent

We believe that philanthropy advice is currently underdeveloped, and we see significant opportunities for growth. We believe that through collective action and the sharing of knowledge and ideas, philanthropy advice can develop to the benefit of all participants – private client advisors, specialist philanthropy advisors, clients and charities.

We aspire to the following:

• To create a forum with a limited lifespan (to be reviewed after two years) committed to developing the market, in its widest sense, for philanthropy advice;
• to hold a forum three times a year to share knowledge, network and hear from interesting external speakers;
• to share information and knowledge about philanthropy advice between the group (so long as client confidentiality or business terms are not compromised in any manner);
• to discuss challenges and to try and find common solutions;
• to promote philanthropy advice as widely as possible within our institution and industry; and
• to establish standards of best practice of philanthropy advice

The forum is open to all private client advisors or philanthropy experts (but not to operating charities). Please contact Plum Lomax if you are interested in attending. The next meeting will be held on 28 June 2011.

Previous meetings:

 

23 March 2011

This meeting was chaired by Martin Brookes, Chief Executive of NPC, following on from Dame Stephanie Shirley's resignation. Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care, addressed the group with regards to The Philanthropy Review which he is chairing. This review aims to stimulate charitable giving and they will be producing findings in June/July 2011.
The group also discussed its new format resulting in a changed name to the Philanthropy Advice Forum with a higher emphasis on networking and information sharing, and a list of future speakers to address the group was discussed with nominations welcomed. The group also voted in a new chair - Lord Janvrin. STEP and NPC will continue their support role of the forum.

13 September 2010

During the third meeting of the steering group, we invited Lord Wei, the government’s chief advisor on the Big Society, to address the 30 strong group on his thoughts on the implications for philanthropy of the Big Society. He told us that the government is thinking of ways to decentralise its role and provide an enabling framework for communities, individuals and groups to promote change in our society. The government was keen to create a specific plan on philanthropy, with input from groups such as ours. Following on from the meeting, the steering group is in the process of collectively suggesting some specific actions to put to the government to encourage more and better philanthropy.

 

Working with advisors

NPC supports advisors in a range of other ways, including through consultancy and training. NPC has also undertaken research into philanthropy and the role of advisors.

Please contact Plum Lomax for more information on the steering committee or on NPC's services for professional advisors.