Member Event: The Power of Philanthropy

There comes a point in time where every successful entrepreneur starts thinking beyond their own businesses and considers how they can positively impact the lives of the people around them.

Giving back can take many different forms which is why we’ve invited our panel of philanthropists to share how you can begin your own charitable endeavours.

In this panel discussion, hosted by Entrepreneurs’ board member and Prince’s Trust Patron Kari Owers, we will explore philanthropy in more detail after enjoying a hot fork buffet courtesy of Grey Street Hotel.

Featuring Meenu Malhotra (Malhotra Group), Mark Easby (Better) and Anne Reece (Reece Foundation) our panellists will share their own experiences, from launching their own Foundations to supporting existing community projects and charities.

About our Panellists:

Anne is the Chair of the Reece Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2007 to increase the long term and sustainable prosperity of the North East of England primarily through the promotion of engineering and manufacturing. In particular, focusing on the improvement of education in engineering and related scientific and mathematical subjects, training in engineering skills and the development of employment opportunities. Recently the Foundation has become involved in 3 major rewilding initiatives in the North East.

Anne's personal philanthropy has centred on conservation, wildlife and environmental charities particularly in the Himalayas and development and disability charities.

Anne has been a Non-Exec Director and shareholder of Reece Group for the past 9 years. Previously she was Finance Director of SMD and Bywell Holdings Group for 15 years. She also sat on the Investment Committee of One North East RDA for 4 years.

Having moved to Aberdeen Scotland in 2006 she has also been and is involved in several organisations there, most notably CAB.

Meenu is the founder and Chairman of Malhotra Group.

Educated at Sacred Heart Convent School in Ludhiana, India, Meenu came to the UK in 1979 aged 19. Although from an affluent family his introduction to working life in his adopted North East began as a humble newsagent's assistant.

Business ventures were always on Meenu's mind. Having come from the cotton capital of the world, his first venture was a drapery store. Residential property, commercial property, and ventures into the care home sector followed over the coming years.

Today he is the Chairman of Malhotra Group, a multi-sector conglomerate that employs over 1,200 people. His successes have enabled him to cultivate new passions, by giving back as a mentor to young businesses, founding UK-India investment programmes, acting as a McKenzie Friend to his community, and supporting many religious and other charitable ventures.

Each year, since 2016, Malhotra Group has had a nominated charity raising over £75,000 for a number of amazing causes.

Mark is the founder and MD of the award-winning brand agency, Better. Based in Tees Valley and London, the agency has been building brands since 2008, crafting remarkably meaningful creative work driven by strategic thinking, authenticity and insight. Better manage a portfolio of local, national and international brands, including everything from maritime and manufacturing to soft drinks and skincare.

As an agency, Better are dedicated to their own ESG agenda and in 2019 launched their Better Community Fund. The fund is designed to support charities and community organisations by donating the agency's skills, time and resources to improve their brand and marketing. Since 2019 the agency has donated over £50,000 worth of studio time and resources to support charities such as The Teesside Charity, South Tees NHS Hospitals Trust, Kader Football Club and the upcoming Tech Equal campaign, led by Dean Benson.

Mark is also the proud Chairman at High Tide Foundation, a charity which showcases career opportunities and provides life-changing work experience programmes for young people in Tees Valley. Led by Mark, the foundation has recently been through a process of digital transformation underpinning all programme delivery and communication with online learning technology allowing the charity to support around 6,000 students per year. In addition, Better are heavily involved with Northern School of Art and other education institutions to help support curriculum/course development, studio tours, career talks, helping to develop the next generation of local talent and showcase creative and digital opportunities in the North East. Our partnership with NSA has also led to the launch of our internal project We Built the World - www.webuilttheworld.com - celebrating Teesside’s industrial heritage and investing back in its future.

The small print - Member events are open to all members and partners of the Forum.

Two guest places are available to ‘Ultimate’ and ‘Premium’ members.

If you are a ‘Core’ member and would like to upgrade your membership, or find out more please email: info@entrepreneursforum.net or call one of the team on: 0191 500 7780.

Hot buffet and refreshments will be served during this event. If you have any dietary requirements please email info@entrepreneursforum,net at least 24h prior to the event.