The PTI is a charitable organization committed to equipping teachers with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to deliver high-quality education. By offering a broad range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, PTI addresses the diverse challenges faced by educators and educational communities. These courses are designed to raise teaching standards, improve classroom effectiveness, and ultimately ensure that students receive a better, more engaging education.

Keith Breslauer, Managing Partner of Patron Capital, plays a key part serving as Chairman of the PTI. His leadership, alongside Patron’s continued support, helps to guide PTI’s initiatives and ensures its sustainable growth.

The PTI’s mission goes beyond just teacher development—it seeks to reduce educational disparities across the UK. By focusing on enhancing the capabilities of teachers, PTI ultimately aims to improve student outcomes, helping to bridge achievement gaps and provide equitable learning opportunities for all. Through its ongoing initiatives, PTI has made a significant impact in education:

• 514 state secondary schools across England and Wales are now benefitting from PTI’s professional development programs.
• 3,942 teachers per year are actively participating in PTI initiatives nationwide, gaining new insights and methods to enhance their teaching practices.
• 382,000 students are directly benefitting from these improved teaching methods, which contribute to more effective, engaging, and supportive learning environments.

Patron Capital’s involvement with PTI has had a ripple effect, inspiring other business leaders to get involved and support the cause. This partnership has not only amplified PTI’s reach but also contributed to a broader movement within the private sector to address educational challenges. To date, the collaboration has facilitated more than 1,300 days of teacher training, benefitting over 1,700 schools and extending PTI’s influence across a wide array of educational settings.

Through this strategic partnership, Patron Capital exemplifies how the private sector can play a critical role in driving positive change in education. By supporting organizations like PTI, Patron is helping to create lasting social impact, fostering an environment where teachers are empowered, students thrive, and the future of education is brighter for all.

In Summer 2024, Patron hosted 20 students for Young Enterprise’s “Learn to Earn” session at Patron’s London office. Young Enterprise, a national charity, empowers young people to succeed in the evolving world of work by providing them with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence.

The students, all from Stoke Newington School, are currently in Year 12 and studying a mix of Business Studies BTEC Level 3 and A-Level Economics. The school was specifically chosen for this opportunity as it serves one of the most deprived areas, according to the Government Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Many students from the school face limited access to opportunities that can help them explore the world of work, raise aspirations, and support successful futures.

The day began with 10 dedicated volunteers from the Patron team sharing personal career insights and discussing Patron’s principles and purpose. Students participated in employability skills workshops, engaging in lively discussions and thought-provoking questions. The highlight was an Apprentice-style challenge where students presented their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges, receiving guidance and encouragement along the way.

It was a privilege to contribute to inspiring the next generation of leaders and to strengthen our valued partnership with Young Enterprise. We are truly grateful to the volunteers who made the day a success and look forward to continuing to support opportunities that empower young people.

Students were asked after the workshop what they would have changed for a better experience. These were their answers:

“I would have asked Keith more questions!”

“Nothing – it was great”

Young Enterprise’s Impact and Engagement:

• Split Between Independent and State Schools: In 2022/23, 91% of the schools and centres the charity worked with were state-funded, while 9% were independent schools.
• Engagement with State Secondary Schools in Disadvantaged Areas: In 2023, Young Enterprise engaged with 32% of all state secondary schools located in areas classified within the 1-4 range of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) across England and Wales.
• Proportion of Activity in Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 1-4 Areas: Excluding independent schools, 45% of its overall activity in 2022/23 involved schools situated in IMD 1-4 areas, reflecting its focus on supporting schools in the most disadvantaged communities.

GAIN is a charity focused on increasing female participation in the investment management industry. Its mission is to inspire and empower young women to pursue careers in finance through educational programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The charity partners with leading financial firms to offer internships and career development initiatives, while promoting diversity and inclusion within the sector. GAIN also organizes events and workshops to connect women with industry professionals, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field. Ultimately, GAIN aims to close the gender gap in investment management and foster a more diverse, equitable workforce.

Why the need for the charity?

• According to a 2019 report by Morningstar, women account for just 10-12% of portfolio managers in the U.S., and the number is similar in the UK.
• In the UK, women represent about 25% of senior roles in asset management, but this figure drops significantly at the most senior levels, with only about 8% of executive committee members being women (Source: City of London Corporation’s 2020 report).
• Research by McKinsey & Company indicates that companies with more diverse teams are 25% more likely to have above-average profitability. Investment firms with more diverse teams have been shown to have better risk-adjusted returns.

Kendall Langford, General Counsel & Senior Partner at Patron Capital, has been a dedicated volunteer for the charity, working to motivate and equip young women for careers in finance. Her contributions include leading speed networking workshops, participating in panel discussions, mentoring through internship programs, conducting interview preparation workshops, and offering practical skills training. She has also taken part in various speaking engagements across the country

Since 2004, Patron Capital has partnered closely with Seppi Enzio and Sunita Gurung to support over 30 villages across Nepal through school construction and refurbishment, the installation of clean water systems and aqueducts, providing educational sponsorships for children, and the provision of electricity to remote communities. Below is a snapshot of some of the impactful projects completed over the years:

• Makalu Valley

In 2017, the Himalayan Education Centre (HEC), also known as the ‘Earthship’ school, underwent a major redevelopment and expansion. The redesigned facility was equipped with dedicated teacher training spaces and a newly built guest house to accommodate both returning and new students. Today, HEC serves as a central hub of learning for the Makalu Valley region. The project was dedicated to Luis Bejar, a cherished Patron Capital employee who sadly passed away during this time.

• Tumkhaling

The local school was in severe disrepair and required a complete rebuild from the foundations up, including structural framing and new floorboards. It is now one of the largest educational facilities in the region, serving 250 students from surrounding villages – many of whom walk over 1.5 hours each way to attend classes.

• Kharmarang

In this nearby town, a new waterline was installed to bring fresh mountain water directly into the village. Four new water fountains were constructed to provide convenient access to clean drinking water. In the aftermath of a recent earthquake, three schools were also rebuilt in the region: one in Gola, one in Lingham, and one in Kharmarang itself.

• Hongong

In 2014, four water lines were constructed across this dispersed village, made up of five to six scattered hamlets, to ensure a reliable supply of fresh water.

• Seeduwa

In 2012, three aqueducts were built to deliver water to three nearby villages. The local schools were also refurnished and secured with protective fencing around the school grounds. Remarkably, a new school building was constructed in just 13 days to serve 350 children.

• Milingo

Electricity was introduced to this small village near the Tyangboche monastery by running a cable from the monastery to nearby shepherds’ homes, bringing light and power to the area for the first time.

• Pangboche

In 2007, five children, Mingma Chuti, Pemba Dolma, Tshewang Polmo, Mingma, and Sonam Kunga, were sponsored to support their access to a consistent and quality education. Alongside this, a vital water project was initiated to serve the village. The project involved constructing a reservoir, installing a pipeline from the monastery, and building a communal water fountain. The large main pipe needed for the system was too big to be transported by helicopter, so five dedicated porters carried it on foot for 12 days from the low valley up the mountain. Despite challenging weather conditions delaying work until spring 2008, the project was completed that year with the first fountain installed. Two additional fountains were planned, with construction scheduled for 2009.