Kew Foundation Annual Review 2015/16 Photography: Wolfgang Stuppy, Skyvantage, Paul Little, Jeff Eden, I. Larridon, Steve Lancefield, A. Dib Contents 2 Thank you from our Co-CEOs 5 Introduction 6Recent successes 6 Plant and Fungal Trees of Life 9 The David and Claudia Harding Alpine Plant Conservation and Research Programme 10 The Temperate House 14 Kew Fund 17 Legacies 18 Patrons 24 The Great Broad Walk Borders 20 Friends of Kew and Friends of Wakehurst 22 State of the World’s Plants 26The future 28Financial information 32 Trustees and donors 1 Thank you from our Co-CEOs On behalf of ourselves and all of the staff and Trustees of Kew Foundation, it gives us great pleasure to share with you our update on Kew Foundation activity for the 2015/16 financial year. We will also take this opportunity to celebrate recent highlights and look ahead to what the future holds. 2015/16 was another busy year for Kew Foundation. The Breathing Planet Campaign was successfully concluded in March 2015, having raised £102 million, yet this did not signal a slow-down in our fundraising activity. In fact, the exceptional commitment of our supporters continued to grow, resulting in 2015/16 being the most successful year in our 25-year history. Between 2010 and 2015, by income, Kew Foundation was reported as the second fastest growing charity in the UK by the Cass Business School. This terrific success is thanks to the continued support of many dedicated Friends, Patrons, legators, benefactors and organisations to whom we are hugely grateful. Our international fundraising is also increasingly important to funding our scientific and horticultural work both in the UK and in over 100 countries around the world. In particular, we are very grateful for the support given to us by our Kew Asia Foundation and Kew Foundation America; both are demonstrating our ability to present Kew as a cause worth investing in to tackle the huge global challenges facing humanity today. We are confident that, with the tremendous support of many already, our fundraising will continue to increase to ensure support for the world’s most important botanic gardens and its collections. We hope you enjoy the following stories of what philanthropy can achieve. Lynne Guyton and Alison Purvis Co-Chief Executives Kew Foundation 2 The Great Broad Walk Borders 3 Pollination is one of the most important biological processes on our planet, and bees are one of the most important pollinators 4 Introduction It is a simple truth that all life on Earth depends on plants. They cure, feed and fuel humankind and are the basis for all life on our planet. One in five of the world’s plant species is now threatened with extinction. We are facing many challenges, including a changing climate, habitat destruction, disease and a lack of food and fuel security. However, Kew is working in partnership with communities and organisations around the world to help tackle these critical global issues. As the fundraising arm of Kew, Kew Foundation continues to raise much-needed funds to support this critical work. While we celebrate what philanthropy can achieve over the following pages, we will continue to seek support as the need for Kew’s expertise becomes ever greater. To find out more visit kew.org One in five of the world’s plant species is now threatened with extinction. 5 Plant and Fungal Trees of Life All living things are connected by their evolutionary history. This history, the effect of genetic change inherited over countless generations, has resulted in the spectacular diversity of life on Earth today. The evolutionary links between around 9 million species form a vast, branching family tree. Plant and Fungal Trees of Life are immensely powerful tools for science and society. They allow us to discover, identify and classify life on Earth, and to understand its origins and responses to past changes. This knowledge improves our ability to determine how life will react to the challenges it faces in the future. We can predict the extinction risk of species, informing effective conservation choices – preserving not only individual species, but also unique evolutionary history and the potential to provide ecosystem services, upon which future generations will depend as they try to adjust to a changing world. Revealing these trees of life is among the most fundamental of the grand challenges remaining in science today. Thanks to its unique collections and scientific expertise, Kew holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the Plant and Fungal Trees of Life and creating a wealth of fundamentally important new knowledge. This vital work is made possible by generous grants from The Calleva Foundation and The Sackler Trust. Plant and Fungal Trees of Life are immensely powerful tools for science and society. 6 7 The Alpine House at Kew 8 The David and Claudia Harding Alpine Plant Conservation and Research Programme The Alps cover 200,000 square kilometres and are home to more than 4,400 wild plant species. Of these, 800 are exclusively Alpine. On the higher slopes, far above the treeline, a wide variety of endemic and endangered species can be found – many of them ancient – taking refuge at high altitude during past glaciation events. Over several centuries, deforestation and changes in land use have severely affected high mountain and Alpine ecosystems, and a changing climate is posing additional risks. They are now the most threatened habitats in Europe. Conserving Alpine plant life is vital for a number of ecosystem services. For example, 80–90% of fresh water in lowland Europe originates as Alpine runoff. Many wild species are also of high potential economic value, whether in ornamental horticulture, as a repository of useful genes in crop-breeding programmes or for their potential medicinal properties. It is thanks to the support of the David and Claudia Harding Foundation that Kew will convene and coordinate a network of plant science institutions at leading universities and botanic gardens across the Alps. Together, we will deliver a programme of conservation and research to address the rapid deterioration of natural habitats and crucial knowledge gaps. Conserving Alpine plant life is vital for a number of ecosystem services. 9 The Temperate House Opened in 1863 and designed by Decimus Burton, the iconic Grade I listed Temperate House is the world’s largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, and home to Kew’s internationally important collection of temperate plants. These plants – some of them now extinct in the wild – expand our knowledge of a huge range of species and help Kew to lead the world in plant science and conservation. The Temperate House is now over half way through a vital restoration programme to create a spectacular and engaging venue and offer a unique learning opportunity to see some of the world’s rarest plants up close. The project is more than a simple restoration. It encompasses education, heritage and horticulture. Through the Temperate House apprenticeship scheme, Kew is developing sought-after specialist skills, for both young people today and similar projects in the future, in heritage horticulture and construction techniques for restoration. This ambitious project would be impossible without the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Defra and many other donors so far. There is one special group of individuals – The Temperate House Twenty – who have together raised £1 million. In a little more than a year, this circle of donors successfully recruited all 20 required members who will help to extend the life of the Temperate House for the next 50 years and beyond. The project will create new ways of seeing and understanding plants, help us to reach out to communities, and help expand Kew’s education programme. Interpretation and education are both key areas where there is a further role for philanthropy. 10 The Grade I listed Temperate House at Kew 11 Endemic The GradetoI Guinea, listed Temperate Fleurydora felicis is House at Kew threatened by habitat loss 12 13 Kew Fund Thanks to the support of all our donors we have continued to raise funds that are vital for supporting Kew’s science and conservation work. Every donation has helped us to document and understand more global plant and fungi diversity and its uses. Not only for food, fuel, shelter and medicines, but also for regulating our climate and the environment we live in. In addition, they have ensured that all our global conservation efforts are well-targeted, effective, and sustainable in the long term. The Millennium Seed Bank and its partners are safeguarding two billion seeds from more than 35,000 species, such as the rosy periwinkle from Madagascar, which is used in the treatment of several different types of cancer. With regular donations we can continue to work in partnership with key organisations, individuals and communities to research global plant and fungi diversity and their uses, and provide evidence from our collections as a global asset for research for the benefit of all life on Earth. The rosy periwinkle is used in the treatment of several different types of cancer. 14 Rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) 15 Redwood tree at Wakehurst 16 Legacies The continued support from people leaving gifts to Kew in their wills enables us to pursue our scientific, conservation, horticultural and education work. Over the course of the last year, 15 early career researchers received legacy funding to develop and test innovative scientific projects, allowing them to explore new terrain and hone specialist skills in botanical research. Gifts thoughtfully bequeathed to Kew have helped fund trials of cuttingedge plant DNA sequencing technology. The new pocket-sized MinION sequencer will not only allow Kew scientists to identify plants in hard-to-reach areas, but also help Kew trace the patterns of plants’ adaptation to their changing environment. We have also received significant legacies which will play a key role in regenerating and conserving the horticultural landscapes at Kew and Wakehurst. Alongside thrilling new vistas and exciting plant displays, these legacies will transform our iconic sites – offering new possibilities for sharing Kew’s achievements worldwide. Early career researchers have received legacy funding to develop and test innovative scientific projects. 17 Patrons The generosity of our Patrons ensures that Kew’s experts are helping address some of the most critical challenges facing humanity. From banking the world’s seeds at the Millennium Seed Bank, to crucial scientific research into DNA sequencing techniques, support from our Patrons is allowing Kew to stay at the forefront of plant and fungal science. Over the past year our Patrons have been able to enjoy a close relationship with Kew experts through exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and private viewings; opportunities to see the vital work that they are helping to support, as well as gaining access to some of the world’s leading scientists and horticulturalists. Our Patrons enable Kew to work in partnership with communities across the globe, ensuring that Kew’s conservation and research has the maximum impact. We have recently relaunched the Patron scheme, including the addition of the new Queen Charlotte Patron level. We’re very excited about the benefits this new scheme offers Patrons, and want to make sure that they get to benefit even further from a close association with Kew. To learn more about our Patrons’ programme, please visit kew.org/patrons Kew’s experts are helping address some of the most critical challenges facing humanity. 18 19 Friends of Kew and Friends of Wakehurst The support received from Friends of Kew and Friends of Wakehurst is instrumental in the long-term success of Kew, both to maintain its position as a world-leading scientific organisation and to care for the world’s premier botanic gardens. Through their membership alone, Friends contributed over £4.5 million to Kew Foundation’s income last financial year – a remarkable sum that made a considerable impact on our achievements. As a recognition of Friends’ support and their contribution to Kew’s work, in May 2016 we held our first ever Friends’ Week. The week-long celebration offered a range of exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences that gave a snapshot of what Kew stands for; from horticulture to in-depth science, from botanical art to plant conservation, in a fun and informative way. The week proved hugely popular and set a direction for what is to become a regular annual celebration of Friends. With a continually growing support base, we want to ensure membership continues to provide good value for all. Following the introduction of our Family Friend membership last year, in the summer of 2016 we took the opportunity to review the membership scheme and implement some simple but important changes to it. As a result, our Family Friend memberships now allow free access for up to four children rather than two. As our group of supporters is fast expanding, our ambitions are growing, to further strengthen and build on the valuable relationship with Friends, bringing them closer to Kew’s mission. Once again, we thank all our Friends for their support and we look forward to seeing many more of you in the Gardens in the months and years ahead. 20 21 State of the World’s Plants May 2016 saw international scientists and policymakers gather at Kew for the inaugural State of the World’s Plants Symposium. This and the accompanying annual report are the result of Kew’s groundbreaking initiative to take stock of the world’s current plant diversity, and look to the future to identify important, emerging global issues. By assessing the heart of the world’s ecosystems, Kew can report on its ‘vital signs’, highlighting extinction risk, major threats, plant diseases and the effect of climate change, as well as measure the performance of ex-situ conservation measures. Kew’s report is not only a definitive evaluation of the global status of plants, it also explores emerging issues, highlights important topics and identifies gaps in knowledge to inform future research. 22 All our lives depend on plants and this annual horizon scan will enable scientists and policymakers around the world to understand the critical challenges facing us and our planet today. We would like to thank the Sfumato Foundation for generously funding the State of the World’s Plants project. For more information, visit stateoftheworldsplants.com 23 The Great Broad Walk Borders The gardens at Kew and Wakehurst are the perfect showcase for the marvels of plants and fungi. In June 2016, the newest addition, Kew’s Great Broad Walk Borders, were officially opened. The world’s longest double herbaceous borders are the result of months of planning and hard work by our expert designers, botanists and horticulturalists. We are grateful for the support of Defra for the resurfacing of the path, for a substantial pledge from Sir Mick and Lady Barbara Davis and to the generous donors who sponsored benches. 24 Stretching for 300 metres along either side of the Broad Walk from the Orangery to the Palm House Pond, the borders are planted with swathes of vibrant summer-flowering perennials, grasses and bulbs. The borders are not just a beautiful horticultural display but have been designed to celebrate Kew’s botanical and horticultural science and contain almost 30,000 plants, highlighting specific characteristics of plant families. Salvia, which can be found in the Lamiaceae zone, is the subject of Kew research into its medicinal use. Monocots – containing all cereals, palms, bamboos and sugar canes – are of enormous economic importance as a source of human and animal food. 25 The future Earlier this year, Kew Foundation was named the UK’s second fastest growing fundraising organisation. Over the 5 years of the Breathing Planet Campaign, which raised over £102 million, Kew Foundation’s revenue grew by 80%. In addition, 2015/16 was the most successful year in our history. However, we believe that this is the tip of an iceberg. We are excited by the next stage in our journey, as we seek to build broader support for Kew as a ‘cause’. Building on the successes of the past, we will develop and enhance Kew’s fundraising brand, messaging and purpose to create relevance in Kew’s work for wider audiences beyond the localities of our botanic gardens. We will demonstrate that Kew is a cause worth supporting based on our global science, conservation and knowledge by delivering powerful stories and experiences, so that all those who engage with Kew will understand that Kew represents the key to unlocking the natural capital of the world. As we position Kew Foundation as the leading plant-science fundraising organisation in the world, we aim to help deliver Kew to a more sustainable and independent future. Kew represents the key to unlocking the natural capital of the world. 26 27 Financial information 2015/16 Where will Kew Foundation income be used? 5% 25% 31% 4% 16% Temperate House MSB – Millennium Seed Bank Research & Conservation Education & Outreach Unrestricted / for General Use Other Total £M 6.3 1.1 4.1 4.6 7.8 1.3 25.2 19% How did Kew Foundation raise it? 5% 1% 19% 46% 10% 4% 15% 28 Trusts & Foundations Principal and Major Gifts Corporations Legacies Membership Individual Giving Interest & Other Total £M 11.7 3.8 1.0 2.5 4.8 1.2 0.2 25.2 What was RBG, Kew’s income? 6% 28% 40% Visitor Related Income including Kew Enterprises Foundation Grants* Defra Grants Other Grants Total £M 18.6 17.2 26.2 3.6 65.6 26% What did RBG, Kew spend it on? 11% 18% Costs of Generating Funds Research & Conservation Visitor Activities Total £M 6.2 40.3 10.5 57.0 71% * Funds raised by Kew Foundation are passed to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as and when project costs are incurred. Unrestricted funds are granted to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for their general use and are also used to fund Kew Foundation operating costs. 29 Financial information 2015/16 New Gifts and Pledges for the year to 31 March 2016 by use 13% 7% 20% 36% 12% Temperate House MSB – Millennium Seed Bank Research & Conservation Education & Outreach Unrestricted / for General Use Other Total £M 1.4 3.7 2.4 2.2 6.8 2.4 18.9 12% New Gifts and Pledges for the year to 31 March 2016 by fundraising department 6% 2% 23% 25% 19% 18% 30 7% Trusts & Foundations Principal and Major Gifts Corporations Legacies Membership Individual Giving Interest Total £M 4.4 3.5 1.3 3.5 4.8 1.2 0.2 18.9 Science Festival at Kew 31 Trustees and donors Trustees Marcus Agius Giles Coode-Adams, OBE DL Hélène David-Weill Edwin Davies CBE Sir Mick Davis and Lady Barbara Davis Richard Gnodde and Kara Gnodde Ian Karet Sir Henry Keswick Kenneth Khaw and Ruth Yeoh Anish Lalvani and Tasha Lalvani George Loudon Michael Lynch and Angela Lynch Jacob Shafran and Hélène Marie Shafran Charles Sherwood Robert Swannell and Patricia Swannell Carol Walsh-Knutson Johanna Waterous CBE 32 Thank you The support of passionate individuals and organisations has always been integral to the development of Kew and remains essential to our work today. We would like to thank the following individuals, companies, trusts and foundations for their support in 2015/16, as well as those who have chosen to remain anonymous. The 3 Ts Charitable Trust Marcus and Kate Agius The Amar-Franses & Foster-Jenkins Trust BGS Cayzer Charitable Trust Bloomberg Mrs Yvonne Boyce Bunzl plc Calleva Foundation Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust The David and Claudia Harding Foundation Lionel de Rothschild February Foundation The Finnis Scott Foundation Louise Fluker Clive Gillmore Richard and Kara Gnodde GlaxoSmithKline plc Goldman Sachs International The Helen Hamlyn Trust Roger Henderson, QC Suzy and Stephen Hester HSBC Holdings PLC David and Julia Hunter J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust Alisha and Huw Jenkins Carol and Kelley Knutson Kerry and Jonathan Lane, OBE Sir Mark and Lady Lennox-Boyd Marks and Spencer Nigel and Lisa May Millichope Foundation The Moody’s Foundation The Nicholas Bacon Charitable Trust The P F Charitable Trust Hamish Parker Gillian Perry Jan and Linda Pethick JATO Dynamics The John Lewis Partnership Players of People’s Postcode Lottery Dame Anne Pringle and Bleddyn Phillips Richmond Parish Lands Charity Richmond RUNFEST The Roger and Ingrid Pilkington Charitable Trust The Sackler Trust Schroder Foundation The Serve All Trust and everyone at Lots Road Auction Dr Shirley and Mr James B Sherwood Duncan Spence Robert and Patricia Swannell The Steel Charitable Trust Toyota Motor Corporation Tullow Oil Turner & Townsend plc Sir Samuel and Lady Whitbread The Viscountess Boyd Charitable Trust YTL Corporation Berhad Simon Witty and Véronique Legoff and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. 33 Thank you We are also grateful to the following donors who chose to remember Kew in their wills and whose legacies were received in 2015/16. Eva Bewsey William Burroughs Phil Chadwick Howard Davies Margaret Farmer Mary Greenfield Betty Grove Cyril Grundy Christine Harrison Diana Jarvis Jean Jones Freda King Sheila Lamacraft Dr and Mrs Lee Ah Loa Florence Mealor Joyce Penticost Maureen Pickering Philippa Rakusen Claude “Tim” Ray Iris Silvester Winnie Simpson Joan Stephen Hugh Stewart David Thompson Norman Watson Jacqueline Welford Austen Wells and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. We would like to thank our current Corporate Members for their generous support. Bloomberg Bank of America Merrill Lynch GlaxoSmithKline Plc HSBC Holdings PLC JATO Dynamics John Lewis Partnership Marks and Spencer Moody’s Tullow Oil Turner & Townsend and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. 34 We are very grateful to our current Patrons for their ongoing support. Joseph Banks Premier Patrons Mike and Abigail Amey Sir John Kemp-Welch Johanna Waterous and Roger Parry Joseph Banks Patrons Marcus and Kate Agius Sir Henry and Lady Angest Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks Adrian and Jacqui Beecroft The Bellasis Trust Moira Black Chris Carter Julian Darley and Helga Sands Stuart Donachie Michael and Joanna George The Helen Hamlyn Trust Sonia and Nick Land Harold and Joan Lambert Chung Mei International Holdings Limited/Christina and Sebastian Man Jan and Linda Pethick Dame Anne Pringle and Bleddyn Phillips Nat and Karen Le Roux Jake and Hélène Marie Shafran Robert and Patricia Swannell Mr and Mrs Simon de Zoete Kew Patrons Jim Bartos Jennifer Brzozowska Jean and John Botts Rosamond Brown Sir Ian and Lady Cheshire Dr Martin Cole Julian Darley and Helga Sands Lord and Lady De Ramsey Jonathan Drori Hon Simon Eccles Peter and Judith Foy Gayle Hopkinson Sir Donald and Lady Insall Andrew and Caroline Joy Kilfinan Trust James and Clare Kirkman Carol and Kelley Knutson Steven Larcombe and Sonya Leydecker Dr Pamela Le Couteur Jasmina Ljuhar George and Angie Loudon Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture Roy and Caroline Merritt Joanna Millan Laurence and Neil Monnery Fiona and Julian Mylchreest Lady Pilkington The Lord and Lady Phillimore Marie-Louise Rabouhans Julian Darley and Helga Sands Elizabeth and Stephen Roberts Ruth Savery Robert and Hilary Swift and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. We would like to thank the members of the Temperate House Twenty. BGS Cayzer Charitable Trust Catherine and John Emberson Clive Gillmore Roger Henderson, QC Suzy and Stephen Hester David and Julia Hunter Alisha and Huw Jenkins John Armitage Charitable Trust Carol and Kelley Knutson Kerry and Jonathan Lane, OBE Nigel and Lisa May Nicholas Bacon Charitable Trust Hamish Parker Jan and Linda Pethick Dame Anne Pringle and Bleddyn Phillips Bim and Pardeep Sandhu Robert and Patricia Swannell Johanna Waterous and Roger Parry Sir Samuel and Lady Whitbread Simon Witty and Véronique Legoff 35 Thank you We are very grateful for the leadership support received from the Circle of Benefactors. Marcus and Kate Agius The Amar-Franses & Foster-Jenkins Trust The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing Edward P. Bass (by The Bass Charitable Corporation) The Big Lottery Fund Mrs Yvonne Boyce The Buffini Chao Foundation Calleva Foundation Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust Citi Foundation The David and Claudia Harding Foundation Michel and Hélène David-Weill Eddie and Sue Davies Sir Mick and Lady Barbara Davis Defra Barbara and Thomas Donnelley / The Donnelley Foundation Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation The Ellis Goodman Family Foundation The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Fondation Franklinia David and Sarah Fransen Maite Garcia-Urtiaga Garfield Weston Foundation GlaxoSmithKline plc Richard and Kara Gnodde Google The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment The HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust The Herbert Simon Family Foundation The Heritage Lottery Fund HSBC Holdings PLC The Ingram Trust J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust JATO Dynamics The John Ellerman Foundation The JRS Biodiversity Foundation Kew Foundation America The Kirby Laing Foundation Stephen and Margaret Lansdown Lee Foundation The Linbury Trust George and Margaret Long Make My Day Better Man Group PLC Charitable Trust The Marisla Foundation Mava Fondation pour la Nature The Monument Trust Natura Cosméticos S.A. The Negaunee Foundation Nicholas Bacon Charitable Trust Players of People’s Postcode Lottery The Peter Sowerby Foundation Pot Family Foundation Rio Tinto The Sackler Trust Sainsbury’s The Sarikhani Family Schroder Foundation Dr Shirley and Mr James B Sherwood Sfumato Foundation Jake and Hélène Marie Shafran Duncan Spence Hugh and Catherine Stevenson Thames Water Ben and Harriet Thorpe Toyota Motor Corporation TRAID Tullow Oil The Wellcome Trust The Wolfson Foundation Xstrata Plc and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. We would also like to thank donors to Kew Foundation America for their support in 2015/16. Barbara and Thomas Donnelley / The Donnelley Foundation The Ellis Goodman Family Foundation The Herbert Simon Family Foundation The Negaunee Foundation and those who have chosen to remain anonymous. 36 Printed on 100% recycled paper Kew Foundation, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB United Kingdom +44 (0)20 8332 5000 The Foundation and Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a registered charity no. 803428. Registered in England and Wales.
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz