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Strategic philanthropy
After attending a Surrey grammar school and graduating from Oxford University and London Business School, followed by a stint in management consulting and general management, Sir Peter Lampl built up a successful business in private equity in the 1980s and 1990s. Returning from the US, he was concerned to find that too many young people from non-privileged backgrounds seemed to be missing out on educational opportunities. As a successful entrepreneur and influenced by the giving culture in the US, he felt the need to give something back to society and wanted to focus on making a difference.
Sir Peter's first real experience of philanthropy was prompted by one of the most tragic events in recent British history. In 1996, 16 students and their teacher were killed in Dunblane, Scotland by a gunman using legally owned weapons. Moved by this terrible event, Sir Peter wanted to do something to help. He decided to offer anonymous financial support to a national campaign to ban the ownership of handguns, and was encouraged to see the impact of his philanthropy when a free vote in the House of Commons resulted in a law making it illegal to carry such arms in the UK.
The successful campaign demonstrated the potential of strategic philanthropy in advocating reform in public policy, and in creating partnerships for greater social change. Sir Peter observed, "the philanthropic sector could be more dynamic and more engaged - shifting from a 'hands-off' approach to more strategic philanthropy". With this in mind, in 1997 Sir Peter decided to focus his giving on education, and established The Sutton Trust to challenge educational inequality and halt the resulting waste of talent.
The Sutton Trust is pragmatic, and funds effective best practice models - determined by robust, objective research - and tests them rigorously before advocating expansion or changes in policy. For example, Sir Peter founded the Summer School programmes at Oxford University which raise the aspirations and academic attainment of students from non-privileged backgrounds. Summer Schools and widening participation programmes have now become a regular feature at many universities across the country. "I realized the Trust can make a real difference in the lives of many people. By becoming more strategic in our philanthropy, we are able to influence policy and governments to lever the innovative approaches piloted by the Trust."
According to Sir Peter, a real opportunity for philanthropists is to get the government interested in innovative projects. "Where a project has proven its efficacy, we work closely with government to try to secure nationwide uptake and funding. I have invested money in demonstration stage projects, and, in partnership with the media, have tried to persuade the government to take these demonstrations and scale them up at a regional or national level". One of the Trust's current projects is a scheme to introduce American-style school buses, which aims to reduce traffic, improve safety for children, and facilitate real school choice for families.
Sir Peter sees his philanthropic engagement as a rewarding experience where maximum leverage is achieved through partnerships, research and interaction with government and educational institutions.
(from A Guide to Giving, 2nd edition)
