Background
Patron Capital is a pan-European investor established in 1999. Patron’s Founder and Managing Director, Keith Breslauer, strives to put corporate social responsibility at the heart of the business. Patron’s CSR work has evolved into the Patron Charitable Initiatives (PCI), the vision for which is to demonstrate appreciation for those who help preserve our freedom and lives; and to create initiatives that have a multiplier effect, reaching areas of society where support is needed most.
"Reaching areas of society where support is needed most"
Approach
Through the PCI, Patron makes the entirety of its resources as a successful commercial business available for charitable good, offering up everything from office space to business contacts. Patron’s office space is used by the Prince’s Teaching Institute (PTI), Whiz Kids, Young Enterprise, the Royal Marines Charity (RMC) and Rock2Recovery. Patron also donates more than £750,000 of its own money each year to various causes. For example, it sponsored amputee rowers on a trans-Atlantic journey, leading to more than £25,000 being raised for fellow injured service personnel.
By participating in extreme charity challenges, Patron drives huge support for the causes it supports. For instance, Patron supported the Royal Marines’ RM1664 through sponsorship and spreading awareness amongst other business leaders, resulting in £330,000 raised.
Outcome
Patron leverages its business expertise in aid of charitable organisations. For example, through its partnership with the RMC, Patron helps injured service people into civilian employment through mentoring, internships and introductions. Since 2010, the value of Patron’s fundraising efforts and in-kind donations exceeds £3m. However, whilst metrics like money raised are monitored, Patron prides itself on individual success stories. For example, thanks to Patron’s continuing support, since 2007, the PTI has reached more than 16,000 teachers; developed 14 subject programmes; provided over 1,300 days of teacher training; and got 1,700 schools involved, to the benefit of over 1.25m children.
In establishing the PCI, Patron has moved beyond CSR, acting as a partner to charities and individuals at a personal level.