Page 106 - 2018 Powerlist

Hall of Fame

Sir Damon

Buffini Baroness Amos
Director, School of Oriental
and African Studies
Philanthropist

If you’re tempted to The Government and
feel envy of the super- the Opposition need
rich entrepreneurs, to think about their
I would say that few people... about the
of us would willingly importance of peace
endure the childhood
blows that shaped so
many of them

amon, our first man in the top spot (our first he Powerlist has been blessed by having some
Powerlist was divided into a men’s and women’s phenomenal people associated with it over the
Dlist), stepped down from the chairmanship of Tyears. And the fact Baroness Amos was the first
Permira in June 2010. He no longer works at the firm which Chair of the judging panel still leaves us awestruck.
he built into one of Europe’s biggest private equity firms in She remained as Chair for four years, until moving to
doing so becoming one of the industry’s most influential New York for her job at the UN, and did more to put the
figures. Powerlist on the map than anyone. But then, she isn’t just
Nowadays, his focus is on charity. He is President of anyone. Baroness Amos of Brondesbury is possibly the
Fairbridge, which works with marginalised young people. most influential and powerful black Briton ever.
He founded Breakthrough, an initiative to boost social Her career has been amazing, from Cabinet Minister to
enterprise, and co-founded the Social Business Trust, an head of the House of Lords, to British High Commissioner
initiative to develop social enterprises by utilising the to Australia, an Under-Secretary General at the UN and
knowledge, skills and capital of UK businesses. Last year, now Director of the world-renowned School of Oriental and
he was named the new chair of the National Theatre board. African Studies, University of London. Phew!

102 Powerlist 2018