17.06.11: Private Equity News exclusive on 'industry charity' PEF

Private Equity News exclusively covered the Full Potential Awards dinner held by PEF in June. Below is the piece in full by Ayesha Javed:

Industry charity raises £673k

Hirst prints and a Ducati were among the open auction lots

About 350 executives from across the private equity industry gathered at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London for the Private Equity Foundation’s full potential awards dinner and fundraising event, which raised £672,575. Sale items in an open auction ­included two Damien Hirst prints, a Ducati Monster 696 motorcycle and VIP passes to the Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix.

Ernst & Young won the prize as supporter firm of the year, having donated over 400 hours of pro bono expertise to the foundation. Other awards included pro bono supporter of the year, charity of the year, outstanding leadership and the young person’s award.

The judging panel comprised industry figures including Hardy McLain from CVC Capital Partners, Matt Grinnell from Barclays Capital, David Cheyne from Linklaters, Jeremy Young from Warburg Pincus and John Hahn from Providence Equity Partners.

The evening also included an inaugural speech by Johannes Huth, who replaces Ramez Sousou as chairman of the foundation and the launch of the charity’s Thinkforward initiave, aimed at providing young people with the skills they need to enter the world of work.

From left to right: Sheilja Patel: Pro Bono supporter of the year, Charlie Green: Trustee, Di Hatchett of Every Child a Chance: Charity of the Year, Ramez Sousou: Founder and Trustee, Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE: Outstanding Leadership, Johannes Huth: Chairman and Campbell Greer: Young person of the year

Johannes Huth: Chairman of the Private Equity Foundation