100 Women in Finance London Gala Raises £500,000

100 Women in Finance announced at its annual London Gala that it successfully raised more than £500,000 in gross proceeds in support of the Mental Health Initiatives for Children and Young People of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The 100WF London Gala was held yesterday evening at the Victoria and Albert Museum and 100WF was honoured to host HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of 100WF’s UK philanthropic initiatives who spoke at the event about the urgent need for mental health support in schools.

The London Gala was attended by nearly 300 leaders from the financial services and alternative investment industry. Dame Minouche Shafik, Director, London School of Economics and Political Science received 100WF’s European Industry Leadership Award in recognition of her achievements and leadership in the financial services industry.

At the Gala, 100WF also honoured the more than 200 fund managers already registered in its Female Fund Manager directory with the 100WF Effecting Change Award. By honouring female fund managers globally who are effecting change, 100WF shines a spotlight on women who become visible for the next generation of women entering the industry. 100WF’s Female Fund Manager visibility initiative seeks to raise awareness of these women collectively and individually.

Lauren Malafronte, Managing Director, Prime Services Scotiabank and 100WF’s Global Board Chair, says: “100 Women in Finance is incredibly proud to support the Mentally Healthy Schools initiative of The Royal Foundation and their work in children’s mental health arena. Our members and supporters recognize the importance of this vital work and the need for accessible and reliable children’s mental health services and resources. We thank our finance industry members and partners, and in particular, Blaine and Laura Tomlinson, for their generous contributions. We are also proud to recognise the leadership of Dame Minouche Shafik as a role model in financial services and academia, and to salute global Female Fund Managers with the Effecting Change Award.”

Lorraine Heggessey, Chief Executive, The Royal Foundation, says: “The funds raised by 100 Women in Finance for The Royal Foundation’s Mentally Healthy Schools initiative will go a long way to making a great difference to the lives of children and young people across the UK. They will enable us to invest further in the practical tools that are helping teachers, parents and healthcare professionals provide the best possible mental health support to their children and pupils. We have made great strides in a short space of time since launching the initiative, but there is so much more to do to better support children’s wellbeing and ensure that young people have early intervention and access to the right support. Working with an organisation that shares our passion for supporting children and young people, and mental health, has been especially important.”

Over the past ten years, the joint patronage of first The Duke of Cambridge and then The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, has helped 100WF to raise more than £5.6 million (gross) for philanthropic causes selected by Their Royal Highnesses. This has been achieved through the very generous support of 100WF's members, industry supporters and individuals.

Since 2010, Blaine and Laura Tomlinson have served as 100WF’s Patronage Sponsor, very generously supporting each of the charities selected as beneficiaries of 100WF’s London Gala and other fundraising. 100WF salutes their commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people and vulnerable families in the UK.