New Corporate Philanthropy Prize Launches in 2017 Alongside Individual Philanthropy Prize

Following on from the success of last year's inaugural Achates Philanthropy Prize, the only annual prize that celebrates first-time cultural giving in the UK, the Achates Philanthropy Foundation is delighted to announce the return of the Individual Philanthropy Prize in 2017, together with a brand new Corporate Philanthropy Prize.

On the suggestion of last year's Prize winner, Nigel Farnall, a second award is launched in 2017 to recognise the contribution of corporate philanthropy for the arts in the UK, doubling the prize fund to £10,000 thanks to the continued generous support of Achates Philanthropy Ltd. along with two first time arts sponsors, BOP Consulting and Spektrix.

Nigel Farnall, the outstanding first-time philanthropist nominated by Theatre Royal Stratford East, also joins this year's judging panels alongside respected arts broadcasters Razia Iqbal and John Wilson, and representatives from new sponsors, BOP Consulting and Spektrix.

Caroline McCormick, Chair of the Achates Philanthropy Foundation: 'We are delighted to announce this new prize for corporate philanthropy, in direct response to a suggestion from our inaugural prize-winner, Nigel Farnall. This prize couldn't be more timely, UK culture has never been more vibrant, or enjoyed by more people, but major corporate support for the sector is in decline. We are hugely optimistic about the continued support by companies beyond the headline national sponsorships, and particularly regionally, and want to celebrate this support and to nurture its growth at all levels. And it couldn't be more appropriate that the 2017 prize has been enabled by the support of two first time arts sponsors; BOP Consulting and Spektrix".

Nigel Farnall, winner of the 2016 Achates Philanthropy Prize: "As the winner of the first Achates Philanthropy Prize in 2016, I am delighted that my suggestion of a second prize for corporate philanthropy has led to this announcement today. As the co-founder of a small business myself, I know that corporate support can be a great way of getting involved with charity. As a judge of the 2017 Prize, I am looking forward to hearing how companies and philanthropists of all levels are getting behind the arts."

Individual Philanthropy Prize:
This Prize was created to celebrate a new generation of cultural philanthropists in the UK, and to inspire the next. Organisations across all art forms are invited to nominate an outstanding individual or trust who has given philanthropically towards their organisation for the first time within the last 12 months, at all levels of giving. The award is a sculpture by renowned British artist, Peter Brooke-Ball MRBS. The winning philanthropist will become custodian of the sculpture for one year, and their cultural organisation will receive a £5,000 donation. The Individual Philanthropy Prize is supported by Spektrix.

The Individual Philanthropy Prize judging panel is: Nigel Farnall, winner of the 2016 Achates Philanthropy Prize; Caroline McCormick, Director of Achates Philanthropy; Michael Nabarro, co-founder and CEO of Spektrix; Aliceson Robinson, Trustee and Young Philanthropy champion, and Chair of the panel; Rossella Traverso, Associate at BOP Consulting and Achates Philanthropy; John Wilson, journalist and broadcaster.

Corporate Philanthropy Prize:
This new prize for corporate philanthropy has been created at the suggestion of 2016 winner, Nigel Farnall, in response to the rapid decline in corporate support for culture in the UK. Cultural charities across all art forms are invited to nominate an outstanding company of any size, which has supported their organisation for the first time within the last 12 months, at all levels of giving. The award is a new sculpture by renowned British artist, Peter Brooke-Ball MRBS. The winning company will become custodian of the sculpture for one year, and their cultural organisation will receive a £5,000 donation.

The Corporate Philanthropy Prize judging panel is: Nigel Farnall, winner of the 2016 Achates Philanthropy Prize; Caroline McCormick, Director of Achates Philanthropy; Helen Gaffney, Executive Director of Achates Philanthropy; Razia Iqbal, journalist and broadcaster; Paul Owens, co-founder of BOP Consulting; Libby Penn, Chief Operating Officer at Spektrix, and Chair of the panel.

The 2017 Call for Entries will open on Monday 19 June 2017. For more information, please visit: www.achates.org.uk

The winners will be announced in November at a special event at The Old Vic in London. Further details to be announced.

The 2017 Achates Philanthropy Prize is supported by Achates Philanthropy Ltd, in partnership with BOP Consulting, Spektrix and The Old Vic.

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