New Chief Executive

The Institute for Philanthropy welcomes its new Chief Executive

18th May, 2006

Dr. Salvatore LaSpada has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Institute for Philanthropy.

“Following a highly competitive recruitment process, Sal emerged as the outstanding individual,” said Nick Ferguson, the Chairman of the Institute.“His track record of dynamism and innovation ultimately made him the Board’s unanimous choice.Under the very able leadership of Hilary Browne-Wilkinson our organisation has made significant strides in its first five years, and we look forward to this momentum being maintained by Sal.” He added:“The Institute for Philanthropy is at an exciting point in its development, as it looks to forge further links with potential partners in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.To this end,we have a fantastic series of upcoming seminars and programmes in which Sal, at the head of a fine team,will play a vital role.”

Dr. LaSpada joins the Institute after eight years at the Rockefeller Foundation, where in his role as Associate Director for Global Inclusion he was responsible for the Foundation’s portfolio to foster greater philanthropy internationally. During his time there he was also Director of The Philanthropy Workshop, a programme which helps individual donors to build knowledge and skills for innovative and strategic approaches to philanthropy.His articles on personal and corporate giving have been published in a number of leading journals, and he has spoken at various conferences in Europe, North and South America.

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” said Dr. LaSpada.“I look forward to continuing my work with The Philanthropy Workshop, a project which is now housed at the Institute of Philanthropy, and to working with corporate and charity organisations to improve further the levels of charitable donations in the UK.” He adds:“This is a particularly opportune time to be in the UK promoting philanthropy.With impressive levels of new wealth creation and the arrival of new givers on the philanthropy scene we are poised to see a philanthropic renaissance in this country. I am energised by the opportunity to bring what I have learned from promoting strategic philanthropy in other parts of the world to the UK.”

The appointment of Dr. LaSpada, an American national, is perhaps no coincidence.“We are seeing early signs of the UK playing an increasingly international role in philanthropy,” stated Dr. LaSpada. “The UK is already a hub for global business and financial services. It is poised to play the same role in philanthropy, as we sit at the crossroads of North America and the rest of Europe, and indeed the world”.