Page 14 - Yearbook issue try out
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This has been an annus horribilis for charities,
especially the micro-charities on which so many
of London’s marginalised depend. Demand for
services has exploded while fundraising has
collapsed, and Ken and his deputies have worked
hard to maintain morale across the sector.
“Over the course of the pandemic, I have written
personal letters to scores of amazing charities.
They’re mainly small, passionate groups for which
a £5,000 donation would be life-changing.”
By contrast, while there have been many changes
to life in 2020, the Livery and the wider City
continue relatively (if not surprisingly) smoothly. Sir Kenneth as Past Master
As Ken poignantly says, “the City and all of our
traditions are a bit like a national flywheel. They “I celebrate that the City and Livery continue,”
maintain the momentum of our nation’s progress he says, “but, while it is vital that we stick to our
despite the inevitable bumps along the way. principles, we must apply them in light of the
However uncomfortable they might be for us in the changing needs around us, now and ahead. We
moment, shocks like wars, economic slumps and should be mindful of our privileges, and redouble
pandemics don’t matter in the gyroscopic sense. our commitment to the City tradition of finding
The flywheel keeps turning. And with HM The innovative ways to share our prosperity with those
Queen in the centre of the hub, the country is well less fortunate.”
engineered to survive whatever jolts may befall us.”
Knighted for services to business and philanthropy,
Sir Kenneth spends his time in the parallel
Virtual awards to cadets universes of commerce and charity. In addition to
chairing (and having founded) his own boutique
technology merchant bank, Restoration Partners,
he is chairman of Nigeria’s biggest online payments
company. He is also chairman of a roll-up of 350
UK high street pharmacies aiming to create a new
grouping which will grant new purchasing power
and innovative customer services to the nation’s
high streets.
Driving a youthful agenda in London is also vital
for him. As President both of the Reserve Forces'
and Cadets' Association and of London Youth,
Sir Kenneth seeks to open opportunities to as
Ken cites the City’s traditional Loving Cup many as possible, regardless of background or
ceremony as an example of the notional flywheel’s upbringing. He founded and chairs the Aleto
unstoppability. “This profoundly unhygienic Foundation, whose motto, “Sharing Success with
practice has survived fire, famine and pestilence for Tomorrow’s Leaders”, describes its mission to
1,000 years. I am sure it will see me out,” he says. develop a cohort of talented leaders from tough
reality by investing in them the vital principle that
He acknowledges, however, that 2020 has been he calls “social capital”.
a very reflective year, with the rise of new social
justice movements like Black Lives Matter, the Ken is also working on a book of lessons learned
impact of climate change, and an impending during his time as an entrepreneur. Christmas
Brexit. All will bring transformation. present of choice? “If I can get it finished in time!”
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