The founder of Fredericks Foundation, a leading UK microfinance organisation that helps disadvantaged people to set up or expand their own business, is to give the University’s annual Fred Freeman Philanthropy Lecture.
Paul Barry-Walsh, who graduated in 1976 in Economics and Economic History, will consider three influences that he asserts need to be radically addressed in order for society as a whole to improve – the unintended consequences of the Beveridge Report; the Washington consensus which has proved to make things worse for impoverished nations, and large corporations who are undermining capitalism and not serving their society.
An entrepreneur, he also founded Safetynet and Netstore Plc and is a recipient of the Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion, a Beacon award for creative giving and the 2009 CNBC and FT European Philanthropist of the year.
Paul is a member of the University’s Development Foundation and a donor.
Three ways to make a better society is on Wednesday, 14 March at 5.30pm in the Victoria Gallery & Museum. To book a place, visit the website.
The lecture series was created in memory of the late Fred Freeman who received an Honorary Degree in 2007. It was established with a gift awarded by his family to the University through his charitable foundation and is intended to honour his lifetime of achievements – including the founding of payroll giving – by recognising, celebrating and encouraging philanthropy and the benefit it brings to society as a whole.