Brace For Impact: Philanthropy in a Changing World

Our guest today is one of the UK's leading private client lawyers, Millie Wallace, Senior Partner at London law firm Wedlake Bell. For the last 20 years, she's guided high net worth individuals and families through some of the biggest moments of their lives, from business exits to succession planning and questions of legacy.In this episode, Camilla strips away the legal jargon to talk tax, and uncover what really drives effective, modern giving behind closed doors. In this episode, Camilla strips away the legal jargon to talk tax, and uncover what really drives effective, modern giving behind closed doors. Mary Rose and Millie lift the lid on the questions individuals and businesses should be asking their advisors to maximise the impact and efficiency of their donations, why Donor Advised Funds have become so popular with US-UK clients in recent years, and what the recent non-dom and capital gains tax changes could mean for wealth migration and the future of philanthropy in the UK.

Our guest today is behind arguably the greatest entrepreneurial success story in Wales of the last 30 years. From a start up with just 57 employees to the only FTSE 100 company based in Wales, a 15,000-strong team and turnover in the billions, founder and CEO Emeritus of Admiral Group, Henry Engelhardt, has certainly left his mark on the UK's business sector.In this episode we talk to him about the story behind his success, but it's not our main focus. And that's because Henry's impact beyond his commercial success is equally significant. Since 2010, his foundation, Moondance, has given more than £200m in support to charities across Wales and indeed the world.Mary Rose and Henry lift the lid on lessons Henry's learnt from his time leading a multibillion pound business and how it applies to his philanthropic work, how place-based can create lasting change for the communities closest to your heart, and why making a big impact isn’t just about the size of the grant - it’s about giving the right organisations the support they need at the right time.

We're delighted to welcome Lucy Standing to the Brace For Impact podcast: psychologist, ageism activist and founder of Brave Starts, a non-profit supporting people in mid and later life to rethink their careers and find jobs they’ll love.From giving evidence to the OECD and Parliament on our ageing population, to appearing in The Times, the FT, Women’s Hour and Sky News to advocate for older workers' rights and value, Lucy is a leading voice in the battle against ageism in the workplace.In this episode, Mary Rose and Lucy take a closer look at the UK's broken labour market and ask, should number 10 and business leaders be doing more to get people in mid life into new careers? And what is the opportunity missed when experienced professionals aren't allowed to use their experience to contribute?We take uncover what happens to productivity and efficiency for businesses and the wider labour market when older workers miss out, common misconceptions about hiring over 50s, hard truths that mid-lifers need to face to take their first steps towards a new career, and why volunteering is such a vital piece of the puzzle.Lucy recently released her new book, Age Against The Machine: New Rules for Working in an Ageist World.

We're delighted to welcome our third guest of Series Two: Social entrepreneur, cross-bench peer and systems reformer, Lord Victor Adebowale.From leading two of the UK's most prominent social enterprises – Turning Point and Centrepoint, to being appointed in the first cohort of People’s Peers, Victor has led an extraordinarily varied life and career.What has remained a constant throughout his career however, has been his dedication to driving impact at the forefront of health and social care, while consistently making the case for social enterprise as a force for innovation and change.In this episode we ask: Can Social Enterprises lead the charge to a fairer Britain?Mary Rose and Victor dive into the imbalances Lord Victor’s Commission on Social Investment found and what needs to be done to fix them, why social enterprises present an opportunity for our public services that statutory services can't deliver, and why large charities need to collaborate with grassroots innovators if we want the most effective solutions to be prioritised.

We’re excited to welcome our second guest of Series Two: long-term philanthropist, banker and social impact investor, Alexander Hoare.From leading the UK's oldest private bank, C. Hoare & Co., to founding Snowball Impact Management, and recently authoring his first book, Impact Banker, which was recommended in the FT as revealing "the secret to sustaining generational wealth", Alexander has been at the forefront of impact investing and bold philanthropy for over 30 years.In this episode we ask: Can Responsible Investing Create A Society That Solves It’s Own Problems?Mary Rose and Alexander lift the lid on how impact investing has changed over the last 20 years, advice for families and individuals thinking about getting started in philanthropy, and the 'duty' we all have in leaving the world in better shape than we found it - beyond our lifetime.

Our children are in the bottom 5% of happiness in the world - meet the man who decided to do something about it. David Gregson is the co-founder of the UK's leading youth wellbeing initiative, #BeeWell. He was also chair of Phoenix Equity Partners, former chair of the Lawn Tennis Association, and is currently on the board of The Barclays Women's Super League, The Institute for Fiscal Studies and Pro Bono Economics.  David and Mary Rose discuss: How a conversation with Gus O'Donnell at the LTA led him to founding #BeeWellLessons learnt from the private sector that he's taken into his charitable work... and what's best to leave at the doorAdvice for business leaders on the key ingredients for having the greatest impact with givingThis is the final episode in the first series of Brace For Impact. If you've enjoyed listening, please consider subscribing, rating, and sharing with your connections who'd like to learn more about philanthropy, business, and how we can create a society that solves its own problems. Series two will be hitting your feed in Spring 2026. A huge thanks to David Gregson and all our guests for sharing their unique perspectives and to the Fresh Air team for your help with production. 

The Brace For Impact podcast is thrilled to welcomed Edwin Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Spear's Magazine - the UK's top media brand for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals. With bylines in The Guardian, The Telegraph, and Esquire, Edwin offers a rare insider's view on wealth, philanthropy, and the forces shaping modern giving.In this episode, Edwin and Mary Rose dive into:The rise of an ‘inheritocracy'Media influence and the Sunday Times Giving ListSmart giving in a crowded spaceEmerging trends in philanthropyJoin us for sharp insights from one of the UK's leading voices in wealth and giving.

In every neighbourhood in the UK, you will find a group of young people kicking a ball around wearing shirts with Rashford, Salah or Rodri on the back. These players are role models for kids who may not have many in their lives. The question is: can we harness football's influence to help these children reach their potential?Our latest guests already have the answer – especially since two out of those three footballers are patrons for their charity (Rashford and Rodri take a bow).We're thrilled to welcome Jack Reynolds, co-founder of Football Beyond Borders, and Paul Barber, CEO of Brighton Football Club and new chair of FBB. This episode is all about power - but not in the way you think. It's about the power of relationships, the power of branding, and the power of football to connect every child at risk of exclusion with a trusted adult. Ultimately, it is about the power of football to keep kids in education.Listen now to find out how FBB is changing the game for young people in the UK and how football clubs like BHAFC are providing trusted adults in their own way.