This Swiss born son of a printer has spent over £85 million buying up properties in the Henley-on-Thames area of Oxfordshire. Schwarzenbach also owns 123,000 acres in Australia, 26,000 acres in Scotland and has his own polo team, the Black Bears. This financier’s foreign exchange dealership, Interexchange, is the biggest in Switzerland and betting against the dollar has brought much success. He supposedly even named his Gulfstream G650 “George” as “ultimately it was Bush who paid for it.” Whilst Schwarzenbach’s Grand Hotel Dolder in Zurich wins plaudits galore. an investment in Mayfair’s Café Grand Prix was less successful. It is, however, for philanthropy and discretion that Schwarzenbach and his wife, a former Miss Australia, are known best.
Tag: philanthropic
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Urs Schwarzenbach
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Andrey Borodin
This billionaire former president of the Bank of Moscow lives in exile in London and is on the Interpol Red Notices wanted list as a suspect in a £136 million (13 billion rouble) fraud. (more…) -
A manageable mansion
The sale of the £20 million Bletchingdon Park, Oxfordshire
Bletchingdon Park House in Oxfordshire is one of those classic Palladian villas that would make the perfect setting for a period drama. Unlike vast Jacobean mansions like Highclere Castle, better known as Julian Fellowes’ Downton Abbey, however, Bletchingdon is of a far more manageable size.
The facade of Bletchingdon Park, Bletchingdon, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 3DW 
The staircase hall 
A formal reception room 
The grounds of Bletchingdon Park This Grade II* listed Georgian house, built for Lord Valentina in 1782, may be some 24,600 square foot in size, but it has a layout that makes it both practical for living and suitable for entertaining on a grand scale. The accommodation, which has been renovated by the renowned building company Symm, includes 9 bedrooms and suites, well-proportioned formal reception rooms and a garden floor with further reception rooms, a billiards room and a fitness room with spa.
Whilst the original stable block has been sold off and converted to residential accommodation, Bletchingdon Park includes 2 staff flats, a 2-bedroomed lodge cottage and a further 3-bedroomed cottage. With parkland and grounds extending to 127 acres, maintaining Bletchingdon’s plot is large, but easily maintained.
Dr Michael Peagram with Albert II, Prince of Monaco and Prince Andrew, The Duke of York 
The former stables of Bletchingdon Park were sold off some years ago and have been converted into a number of homes In the 20th century Bletchingdon was owned by Lord Astor and then Lord Rotherwick. The current owner, Dr Michael Peagram, purchased the estate in 1993. Peagram made his fortune in the chemicals industry after having led a management buyout of Huddersfield based Holliday Chemicals Holdings (HCH) in 1987. He revitalised the business, expanded into new markets and floated the company in 1993. The business was ultimately sold to Yule Catto for £225 million in 1997 and in 2001 Peagram sold another company for a reported £44 million.
At this point, this scientist turned tycoon moved to Monaco and saved himself, according to a 2009 Daily Mail article by Piers Morgan, some £13 million in capital gains tax. A wise businessman and a supporter of David Cameron, Peagram’s modus operandi is:
“Winning with honour and playing by the rules… And not cheating.”
In an interview with Monaco’s NeXt Generation Entrepreneur Forum, he states that he “did lots of work” to achieve his success but admits to “being a romantic at heart.” He has used much of his fortune to fund the philanthropic activities of Outward Bound Monaco with Prince Andrew, The Duke of York and Albert II, Prince of Moanco.
Peagram placed Bletchingdon Park on the market in May 2012 at a price of £20 million. Of why it hasn’t sold, one blogger commented that a footpath runs close to the house and that there is a lack of leisure facilities and outbuildings. Somehow neither seem insurmountable and whoever purchases this fine residence will be a very lucky man. If I were Dr Peagram, though, I’d keep it.
Bletchingdon Park, Bletchingdon, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 3DW is for sale through Knight Frank. For further details contact Damian Gray on +44 (0) 20 7629 8171 and to download a brochure go to: http://search.knightfrank.com/cho090098
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Celebrating Champions in the Community
An event to support the unsung heroes in our community
On the 8th November, The Steeple Times will be the media partner for a fundraising event jointly hosted by Gina and Alan Miller and The Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP at The Hurlingham Club in London, SW6. 100% of the funds raised by the “Celebrating Champions in the Community” evening will aid charities supported by Miller Philanthropy and The Centre for Social Justice.
Gina Miller of Miller Philanthropy comments:
“We increasingly hear and read in the media examples of how our society is breaking down. Yet there are unsung heroes battling every day, on all our behalves, trying to reverse these trends. We invite you to celebrate and support these individuals so please join us for an evening of entertainment, celebration and inspiration. 100% of your attendance donation will be going to these community heroes.”
Gina Miller 
The Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP
This black tie event, whose principal sponsor is the luxury couture house Ralph & Russo, will include a drinks reception, dinner and auction as well as entertainment from the BRIT-Award winning singer Beverley Craven; Antony Costa, a former member of the pop boy band sensation Blue; the Magpie Dance company and Derek Paravicini, one of the great musical entertainers of his generation.
Beverley Craven 
Antony Costa 
Magpie Dance 
Derek Paravicini
A donation of £150 per person comes as the condition of attending, 100% of which goes to charities being supported.
Miller Philanthropy
Miller Philanthropy is a family foundation founded on passion and integrity with 100% transparency and 100% of funds raised going to charities and causes.
The foundation focuses on small community charities – the unsung heroes who undertake vital work at the coal face of the negative trends in our society; primarily, but not exclusively in the UK. Miller Philanthropy’s premise is based upon a strong belief that charity begins at home.
The foundation acts as a philanthropic incubator for chosen charities and projects who undertake transformational work but face a growing number of challenges and lack of resources. We mentor and partner these extraordinary individuals and organisations until they become sustainable.
Beneficiary Charities
- The AMBER Trust
- Best Beginnings
- Chernobyl Children’s Project
- Crossway Pregnancy Crisis Centre
- Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust
- HELP Counselling Centre
- Magpie Dance
- Pond Conservation
- Street Kids International
- Target Ovarian Cancer
The Centre for Social Justice
The Centre for Social Justice is an independent think-tank, established to put social justice at the heart of British politics. Moved by shocking levels of disadvantage across the nation, it studies the root causes of Britain’s acute social problems in partnership with its Alliance of over 350 grassroots charities and people whose lives have been affected by poverty.
This enables the CSJ to find and promote evidence-based, experience-led solutions to change lives and transform communities.
The CSJ believes that the surest way to reverse social breakdown – and the poverty it creates – is to build resilience within individuals, families and the innovative organisations able to help them.
Breakthrough Britain
In 2007, the CSJ published its landmark report Breakthrough Britain. This publication has had a significant impact on the previous and present government and has led to the current welfare reforms being implemented across the UK. In Autumn 2012, the CSJ is set to produce Breakthrough Britain II which will update its policy recommendations, with the aim of creating a cross-party consensus on some of the most important policy issues facing Britain today.
For more details about The Centre for Social Justice, go to: http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk
For more details about Miller Philanthropy, go to: http://www.millerphilanthropy.comTo book tickets to the Celebrating Champions in the Community event, contact Rachael Dove of Miller Philanthropy on +44 (0) 20 7838 8650 or email [email protected]
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Gina Miller: What’s on your mantelpiece?
“The Steeple Times” quizzes leading philanthropist Gina Miller about what’s on her mantelpiece
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?
Life is short, so don’t live in regret.
“Never regret, never explain, never apologise” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
The three C’s – compassion, common sense and confidence are far more valuable than three A’s.
Kerry Katona was unacceptable in 2007. Who is unacceptable in 2012?
Human traffickers.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Sleep.
What might you swap all your wealth for?Knowing my children will be happy.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Honestly, I really mean it”: Implies they are lying the rest of the time.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity begins at home and should be a fundamental value in all our families and societies. It is about the small actions, consideration and kindnesses we undertake every day, not the big gestures we make once in a while. If we all did this, the ripple effect would be enormous and would heal many of society’s ills.
Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?
Yes, I was mistakenly identified as a local in Egypt and arrested for being improperly attired.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My children, my husband, Oscar Wilde and the archaeologist Howard Carter.
Gina Miller If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A tin of caviar and a teaspoon; in a garden full of scented roses and wild flowers (maybe I could use the teaspoon to tunnel my way out!).
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Whatever time you fancy, as it’s always the ‘right time’ somewhere on the globe.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Those with great drink, great food, great music and lovely people – on a balmy beach. Idyllic.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My daughter who has special needs – she is not socialised or limited by academic thinking. She is a true free thinker with genuine EQ.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Caviar.
What was the first bone that you broke?
Knee.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?Women don’t smoke cigars!
If you were a car, what marquee would you be?
Morgan.
Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.I was a free climber before I destroyed my thumbs which are very arthritic – the higher and more testing the better. All started when I was a tomboy and thought I was a superhero. I have climbed on all 6 continents and still think I can fly.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
An invite to a gorgeous girl’s wedding and a sculpture of a lady welded together from car nuts and bolts produced by some supposed lost youths who were engaged in car theft but who are now successful engaged in a mechanic apprenticeship scheme we set up in Redditch.
Gina Miller is a founding partner of SCM Private and also runs the True and Fair campaign. More information can be viewed at http://www.scmprivate.com and http://trueandfaircampaign.com
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Alan Miller
The nephew of That’s Life!’s Esther Rantzen is a financial titan and philanthropist. Miller is a founding partner and CIO of SCM Private, a Sloane Street based wealth management firm, but he’s best known for his successes at New Star Asset Management, Jupiter Asset Management and Gartmore Invetment Management. Here is a man of principle who has also run the London Marathon twice and the New York Marathon thrice. -
Gina Miller
This modern day suffragette is a philanthropist and founding partner of SCM Private, a Belgravia based firm of wealth managers. Gina Miller has three degrees, is originally from Guyana, South America and is leading a fight against the conflicts of interest and lack of transparency in the city and charities. With her husband, Alan, she was a major contributor to the Lady Thatcher Infirmary at the Royal Hospital. Her Miller Philanthropy foundation and Goodwill Exchange volunteer exchange are just two examples of the achievements of this truly powerful and driven giver. -
Bono (Paul David Hewson)
This Irishman is one of the world’s best-known philanthropic performers. Having invested £56 million in Facebook in 2009, he’s now the richest living musician. His shareholding of 2.3% in the company is now worth some £940 million. This “face of fusion philanthropy” is rarely seen in public without his trademark sunglasses and created his stage name in honour of a hearing aid shop. -
Sidney Frank (1919 – 2006)
A self-made billionaire, Frank was the Hugh Heffner of the booze industry. He had major successes with both Jägermeister and Grey Goose vodka. A personal profit of $1.6 billion from the sale of the latter allowed him to become philanthropic and especially eccentric. In his final years he conducted most of his business deals from bed whilst smoking custom made Davdoff cigars. He died on his private plane in 2006 but will be remembered as the man who changed vodka.