On Friday, April 27, 2012 the British American Business Council (BABC) of Greater Philadelphia hosted an exclusive breakfast in the presence of HRH The Prince Edward KG GCVO at The Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia. One hundred and twenty of the regions leading business executives and local and UK government officials and dignitaries gathered for this Royal event and discussion about the importance of investing in youth education and activities. Breakfast attendees included: The Honorable Michael A. Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia; Oliver Franklin, Honorary British Consul of Philadelphia; Nick Astbury, British Deputy Consul-General; Carlos Giralt Consul of Mexico; Dan Phelan, Senior Advisor to the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline; Hope Krebs, British American Business Council President; Carole Gravagno, Chair, Queen’s Jubilee Education Foundation; Andrew Swinney, President, The Philadelphia Foundation; Jay and Neil Shah from Hersha Hospitality (the new owners of The Rittenhouse Hotel); and BABC members and friends.
Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, spent two days in Philadelphia to honor his mother’s 60th Anniversary as queen and to support the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Philadelphia Chapter. He is Chairman of the International Council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award International Association, a youth development program which operates in 132 countries. The program, named after Prince Edward’s father, was launched in Philadelphia in 2009.
During the first day of his visit, Prince Edward met with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants from schools throughout the City, and like his great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII, planted a tree at Girard College. Later he was met by Gary Marshall, CEO of Aberdeen Asset Management and BABC Board Member, and his family for a private tour of Independence Hall. Following a brief history lesson, Prince Edward attended a private reception to recognize the Commonwealth Societies at an invitation-only dinner at The Restaurant School for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. Several BABC members, including Board Member Charles Carrington from Deloitte & Touche and Young Professional Group Co-Leader Toby Wallace from Aberdeen Asset Management, had the opportunity to meet and spend time with Prince Edward. Both Brits, Toby and Charles are Duke of Edinburgh Award recipients, and are very involved with the Philadelphia Chapter.
On Friday morning, Prince Edward was greeted by Mayor Nutter for a BABC breakfast in the Grand Ballroom of The Rittenhouse Hotel. Before breakfast began Prince Edward informally addressed BABC Leadership and thanked everyone for the warm reception, asking a few questions about the Organization and the companies that were represented.
Oliver Franklin, British Honorary Consul and veteran BABC Board Member, spoke of the BABC’s two-decade long existence and important role of promoting trade and investment between the Greater Philadelphia region and the UK. Oliver mentioned the start of Brit Invasion 2012 – commencing with Prince Edward’s visit and culminating in August when the Olympic Games are finished – and encouraged everyone to attend upcoming BABC events.
Prince Edward graciously stepped up to the podium and eloquently addressed the crowd. He congratulated the Duke of Edinburgh Award recipients for their dedication and work, and thanked the BABC and the City for the warm welcome. He was deeply impressed with the pride Philadelphian’s have for their City and history, and said he was sorry he was unable to spend more time.
Mayor Nutter’s Announcement
Mayor Nutter thanked Prince Edward for his visit, and commended him for his dedication to supporting youth. The Mayor explained the City’s similar commitment and focus, and announced that GlaxoSmithKline and The Philadelphia Foundation together gave $1 million dollars to the Philadelphia Youth Network to fund summer programs and a new bio-medical industry employment training program. He thanked GlaxoSmithKline and The Philadelphia Foundation for their generosity and challenged each person in the room to make a contribution. He explained the $1 million dollars was part of the $5 million gift GlaxoSmithKline had announced last year for the youth of Philadelphia. Toward the end of his speech, Mayor Nutter made a fantastic, surprise announcement.
“The Philadelphia Foundation has matched that gift two-for-one – contributing another $10 million. This is the type of partnership between business and philanthropy that can make a dynamic impact in our community. The Foundation is in the midst of a comprehensive study of the out-of-school time needs of older youth, and the city looks forward to working with them on serving our young people.”
Following the remarkable declaration Mayor Nutter introduced Dan Phelan, Senior Advisor to the CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, to talk more about GlaxoSmithKline’s philanthropy. Dan commented on the positive partnership GlaxoSmithKline has with the BABC, and discussed the Company’s heritage in both Philadelphia and London. He explained that GlaxoSmithKline’s donation to the City and the Duke of Edinburgh’s award program will change more than 500 young lives through the summer work-ready programs.
“We are delighted The Philadelphia Foundation has added $10 million dollars to double GSK’s $5 million gift.”
Dan thanked Andrew Swinney, President of The Philadelphia Foundation for his leadership and support, and closed the formal remarks portion of the breakfast by reiterating GlaxoSmithKline’s heritage in Philadelphia and London, and the Company’s continued commitment to the community. Dan thanked the BABC for bringing everyone together for this memorable event.
Click here to view photographs from the breakfast
Photos from the Mayor’s office
Links to Press Clips
Click the below links to access press about the BABC and Prince Edward’s visit to Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Inquirer http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-26/news/31410903_1_prince-edward-duke-girard-college
The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article_email/APd456a870ce104a8a8b61dface6dc3b7c-kEyUDBkMTQyNTI2NmEyODY3Wj.html?mod=wsj_share_email
The Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/26/prince-edward-to-visit-ph_0_n_1455295.html?ref=email_share
CBS Local News http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/video/7051032-prince-edward-pays-a-visit-to-philadelphia/#.T5q8_Fs4Hwo.email
The Philadelphia Inquirer News Brief http://mobile.philly.com/business/?wss=/philly/business&id=149266465
Click here to read the press release issued by The Mayor’s Office about the
http://cityofphiladelphia.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/mayor-nutter-announces-gsk-and-the-philadelphia-foundation-to-provide-1-million-dollar-grant-for-summer-youth-programs/
