News & Insight

14th December 2015

A year in summary

Last week the Philanthropy Company gathered for a festive drink in the heart of the Olympic park, East London. In the afternoon the team came and shared updates from our work – from the University of Buckingham, to Chelsea Academy, and to the International Committee of the Red Cross – and thought about how the Company will go forward in 2016 and beyond. We have some exciting projects underway along with our client work, and are all looking forward to another year working with exceptional people and organisations.

 After business was adjourned, the team toured the Olympic Park and heard plans for its development from our CEO, Caroline Underwood. Development at the park is happening at pace and we heard that it will see University College London, University of the Arts London, Victoria & Albert Museum and Sadler’s Wells come together to create a new education and cultural quarter in the park. It feels very much like the Olympic legacy will share all the dynamism, buzz, and spectacular nature of the Olympics itself.

 We then headed up the ArcelorMittal Orbit – the largest sculpture in the UK – that will be a centrepiece of the park’s future. What looks like a cross between a tower and roller coaster the Orbit is deceptively tall, as we found out upon climbing to the top. The view was splendid, especially so as we could see the development underway across the park that Caroline had spoken about. We retired to a local pub for a festive drink to finish the afternoon. It was a lovely day and great to be amongst such wonderful colleagues. We hope you’ve been enjoying your work festivities, too!