Gloomy outlook: Royal Parks charity bans ‘Optimism Picnic’ in Hyde Park London The Royal Parks charity has insisted an ‘Optimism Picnic’ planned by the co-founder of the economic campaign group Looking For Growth cannot go ahead in Hyde Park. Now, the outlook for this picnic looks more pessimistic, on what is already set to be an overcast afternoon following a morning of intermittent heavy rain. The slapdown [...]
Why Theatre Deli is a City charity unlike any other Toast the City We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of our nominees – this week it’s the amazing Bethan Screen, marketing coordinator from Theatre Deli. To vote for your favourite Square Mile spots for the 2026 awards, from bars and restaurants to galleries and green spaces, [...]
Brits (and BP shareholders) are worried about the climate crisis, so why the lack of action? Opinion Brits are deeply worried about the climate crisis, yet struggle to act. James Reed wants to close that gap.
Labour urged to rethink donor incentives for museums amid non-dom exodus January 29, 2026 The exodus of non-doms from the UK is having a knock-on effect on philanthropy, with museums now urging the government to bring back generous donors. Museums, such as the British Museum and Tate Modern, acquire expensive, world-class paintings primarily through a mix of public funding, major grants from organisations and private philanthropy. However, with the [...]
Stormzy, Emma Thompson, and Ray Winstone join star-studded Square Mile charity day December 11, 2025 Stars including rapper Stormzy, actor Emma Thompson and ex-Spice Girl Emma Bunton have taken to the trading floor as part of an annual charity initiative spearheaded by a financial services firm in the heart of the Square Mile. Celebrities are spending the day hitting the phones to help out brokers, ranging from actor Ray Winstone [...]
745 Game for MND raises £110,000 as rugby union and league come together November 10, 2025 Legends of rugby union and league clashed on Sunday as the 745 Game raised £110,000 to help fight motor neurone disease. The match, played at Prem Rugby club Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium, saw the likes of Mike Tindall run out while figures including Jonny Wilkinson watched from the sidelines. It was won 43-45 by Team Burrow. [...]
Omaze house prize draws fuel first UK profit October 1, 2025 Omaze, which runs house prize draws across the UK, has made its first profit since launching in this country. The division of the US-headquartered business has posted a pre-tax profit of £6.2m for 2024, new accounts filed with Companies House show. The profit comes after Omaze reported a pre-tax loss of £17.3m for 2023. The [...]
The Pimco boss who thinks philanthropy has a PR problem September 24, 2025 John Studzinski may be one of the City’s most senior bankers, but he is arguably best known for his exploits beyond the Square Mile and Wall Street; namely in the space of philanthropy. Ali Lyon talks to him about his aims to reshape the way people think about ‘giving’, and why he doesn’t like the [...]
BGC boss Sean Windeatt: We’ve created something positive from the memory of 9/11 September 11, 2025 BGC boss Sean Windeatt was in the firm's London office when 9/11 unfolded, killing 658 of the firm's employees in New York.
Rich parents fear children will squander inheritance August 6, 2025 An increasing number of high-net-worth parents are worried that leaving too much money to their children will be a “curse on their lives” and are turning to charity donations to avoid handing large sums down the generations. According to a fresh poll, three quarters of parents with a net worth of £3m or more believe [...]