The Leasing Industry Charity Christmas Lunch, held at the IoD on 12 December raised over £23,000.
Mary McNamara, Chair of Governors of the Leasing Foundation, thanked all of the sponsors of the Foundation and the Christmas lunch for their continued support, and opened a sell-out event of almost 170 people. She announced a set of auction prizes including a round of golf at Hindhead, cases of Rothschild wine, work experience at Star Asset Finance and an evening in the Shard’s Shangri-la Hotel, all of which would be auctioned by Sam Geneen.
Guest speaker Paul Merson, former Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa midfielder and now Sky Sports reporter, spoke candidly at the lunch about his career and about his personal struggle with, and recovery from, alcohol and gambling addiction.
Andrew Denton, Foundation CEO, in his review of the year highlighted the industry’s track record in philanthropy, singled out individuals including Paul Bartley (Close Brothers), Jonathan Andrew (Siemens Financial Services) and Roger Skinner (Maxxia) for their fundraising work.