Day: 29 November 2024

Renamed trust to double annual giving to £100m

Stuart Mitchell

The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust, the vehicle through which Hans Rausing has made charitable donations over the past decade, will soon become known simply as the Julia Rausing Trust. The announcement was made today at a memorial service for Julia Rausing held at St James’s Church, Piccadilly. Over 350 guests were in attendance including representatives from The Princes Trust, Centrepoint, and The National Gallery, all of which have received support from her philanthropy. The Julia Rausing Trust was launched by Hans Rausing in July 2024 in order to make…

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5 teams win finalist award to continue work in dementia technology

Stuart Mitchell

State of the art AI glasses to help people with dementia navigate their environment and a smartwatch that learns daily routines are among five groundbreaking technologies awarded £300,000 as a finalist in the £4.4m Longitude Prize on Dementia.  The prize is rewarding the creation of new assistive technologies that use AI to transform how people live with dementia after a diagnosis so that they can maintain their independence for as long as possible.  The global challenge prize announced in early 2022, funded by Alzheimer’s Society and Innovate UK and delivered…

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Leading economist appointed Chair of Trustees at Pro Bono Economics

Stuart Mitchell

Tera Allas CBE joins Pro Bono Economics (PBE) as its new Chair of Trustees. Lord Gus O’Donnell who has held the position since 2016 will become Honorary President and continue being an ambassador for PBE’s work.   PBE uses economic analysis and the unique insights from the social sector to address the causes and consequences of low wellbeing in the UK.   Tera’s appointment is a significant milestone as PBE adopts its new three-year strategy, expanding the way it tackles the causes of low wellbeing and creating new ways for economists to…

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Crown Commercial Service achieves Constructing the Gold Standard

Stuart Mitchell

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has become the first organisation to be verified under Constructing Excellence‘s ‘Gold Standard Verification Scheme’.  The scheme aims to ensure that Government departments and the wider public sector adopt urgent recommendations for improved value, reduced risks and achievement of net zero on all their construction projects. CCS supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. As an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office, it offers the largest number of interlocking construction commercial agreements in the UK, providing a wide…

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Divisive Politics Chills the Season of Giving

Stuart Mitchell

In a time of political divisions, economic uncertainty, and social upheaval—a cornerstone of American identity is at risk. The once-unifying desire to help others is unraveling under the weight of compassion fatigue, political polarization, distrust in societal institutions, and a growing belief that the burden of giving should fall solely on the wealthiest. A national survey of over 900 U.S. respondents, commissioned by Give Freely, reveals that generosity is at risk as political polarization increasingly erodes our giving habits. Give Freely, founded by TripAdvisor co-founder Steve Kaufer, is a mission-driven…

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