Sir Stuart Hampson Champions Charity, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 26 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Former John Lewis chairman, Sir Stuart Hampson, has become a patron for HFT, national charity for people with learning disabilities.

One of the longest serving and most successful leaders of a blue-chip company and a highly regarded businessman, Sir Stuart retired in March 2007 after 14 years as chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

He first joined JLP in 1982 after a twelve year career in the Civil Service and became the Partnership's fourth chairman in 1993. A founding deputy chairman of London First, past Chairman of the Royal Society of Arts and past President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, he is President of the Employee Ownership Association and continues to champion the benefits of employee engagement in business, also leading the Business in the Community Economic Regeneration team as an ambassador for the Prince of Wales.

Sir Stuart became aware of HFT, which provides a wide range of services and support for adults with learning disabilities in the UK, through his wife Angela who for many years has been a member of one of the charity's fundraising friends groups, the Princes Risborough Friend's Group in Buckinghamshire.

"I knew about the many fundraising efforts undertaken by my wife as a member of the group and was greatly impressed by what I learned about the work of HFT in supporting people with learning disabilities", he commented.

"When they asked me if I would consider becoming a patron, I accepted without hesitation. There are many charities at the more 'comfortably recognised' end of the charity spectrum, but I know that HFT's support is enormously valuable to those whom it seeks to help. I'm delighted to add my backing to its very deserving activities."

Previously known as The Home Farm Trust Ltd, HFT was established as a charity in 1962 by parents of people with learning disabilities to help provide residential care facilities for their children. Over the years HFT has developed and expanded the range of services it offers, responding to progress and pioneering new areas of research together with other organisations and partners to offer better standards of care and opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Today HFT offers a wide range of diverse services for over a thousand people across the UK in supported living, registered care homes, advocacy, supported employment and day opportunities. The charity also runs a Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) which provides support each year for over 4,000 family carers of adults with learning disabilities.

HFT's Royal patron is HRH, The Princess Royal.

Sir Stuart joins other current patrons of HFT - Floella Benjamin OBE, Martin Clunes, Ronnie Corbett OBE, Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Frost, Maureen Lipman OBE, Griff Rhys Jones, The Lord Rix CBE DL, Dr Oliver Russell and Dr Philippa Russell CBE.

"We are delighted and honoured to have Sir Stuart join our illustrious body of Patrons", said chief executive of HFT, Brian Perowne.

"He is an extremely influential and respected business leader and his depth of experience will be an invaluable support for our work."

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