Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett

Areas of Interest

Charity

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Arts, 2015

Biography

Educated at Eton College and Oxford University, Sir Thomas began his career by training as a barrister.  However, a life in law proved not to his liking and he soon moved into investment banking, a highly competitive world in which he was to thrive.  After spending five years at Schroders, he took over as Chief Executive at Swedish Bank Enskilda, and later served as Board Director and Head of Global Equities at Flemings banking group.

In 1990, the pressures of work caused Sir Thomas to suffer a health scare, an event which led him to review his priorities in life.  As a result, his interest in working with charities flourished and he became a trustee, and later Chairman, of the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children.  Then when Flemings was bought by Chase Manhattan Bank, a full-time move to the charity sector seemed a natural next step, and in 2000 he was appointed Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

It was a role well suited to Sir Thomas’ well-honed commercial abilities.  Over the next 12 years he led the organisation through a period of radical change, during which time the organisation evolved from a purely cancer-focussed charity to one involved in diverse activities covering a range of medical conditions.

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett is Founder and Chair of The Marshall Institute within the London School of Economics and Political Science, Chair of the End of Life Care Implementation Advisory Board, Chair for the Palliative Care Funding Review for adults and children in England, a Trustee of the King’s Fund General Advisory Council, on the Board of the Westminster Abbey Foundation and a Trustee of The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. In 2014 Sir Thomas was appointed Chair of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Sir Thomas’ philanthropic work has been widely recognised.  In 2012 he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List for his services to palliative care and in 2013 was presented with the prestigious Beacon Fellowship for Philanthropy Advocacy.

Sir Thomas has a deep-seated passion for philanthropy, one that has driven his career and his life for many years.

Citation

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa.

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett is Chairman of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust and non-executive Chair of Cause 4

Educated at Eton College and Oxford University, Sir Thomas began his career by training as a barrister.  However, a life in law proved not to his liking and he soon moved into investment banking, a highly competitive world in which he was to thrive. After spending five years at Schroders, he took over as Chief Executive at Swedish Bank Enskilda, and later served as Board Director and Head of Global Equities at Flemings banking group.

In 1990, the pressures of work caused Sir Thomas to suffer a health scare, an event which led him to review his priorities in life.  As a result, his interest in working with charities flourished and he became a trustee, and later Chairman, of the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children as well as English Churches Housing Association. Then when Flemings was bought by Chase Manhattan Bank, a full-time move to the charity sector seemed a natural next step, and in 2000 he was appointed Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

It was a role well suited to Sir Thomas’ well-honed commercial abilities.  Over the next 12 years he led the organisation through a period of radical change, during which time the organisation evolved from a purely cancer-focussed charity to one involved in diverse activities covering a range of medical conditions.

In 2013 Sir Thomas was appointed Chair of Cause 4, an organisation that helps charities, social enterprises and philanthropists to develop and modernise their approaches to fundraising.  His remit was to help the organisation to develop new philanthropic initiatives, to improve their governance, and to build a peer-to-peer leadership group in philanthropy.  At a time when many charities are struggling to raise funds from a membership squeezed by shrinking disposable incomes, Cause 4 has helped its client organisations to raise more than £500,000 per month in charitable income.

In addition to his role with Cause 4, Sir Thomas has Chaired the Institute of Global Health Innovation, an organisation which seeks to improve health through innovation and to reduce health inequalities worldwide.  He has also been Review Chair for the Palliative Care Funding Review for adults and children in England, and of Giving More, a member of the King’s Fund General Advisory Council, and a trustee of The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

Sir Thomas’ philanthropic work has been widely recognised.  In 2012 he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List for his services to palliative care and in 2013 he was presented with the prestigious Beacon Fellowship for Philanthropy Advocacy.  His wife Juliet is Chairman of Smart Works a new and innovative charity.

Sir Thomas has a deep-seated passion for philanthropy, one that has driven his career and his life for many years. Currently he is investigating the creation of a new international centre for Philanthropy in Britain.  His efforts and his achievements make him an exemplary role model for our students and we are delighted to welcome Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett to our Anglia Ruskin community.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Sir Thomas Hughes Hallett for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa.