Annual Foundation Appeal

In 1815 the first Annual Foundation Appeal was made to the City to fund the London Orphan Asylum (the original name of Reed’s School) and aroused the interest of the Royal Family and the Duke of Wellington, amongst others. Under the auspices of an Annual Appeal President, fundraising dinners were held with eminent guest speakers, such as Charles Dickens.

Past Appeal Presidents have included: The Duke of Wellington, the Duke of Devonshire, Timothy Guinness, Lionel de Rothschild and several Royal Highnesses, The Princes of Wales (HM King Edward VII, HM King George V and HM King George VI). The Appeal has been held every year since, making it one of the oldest appeals of its kind in the country.

List-of-Presidents-of-Annual-Foundation-Appeal.docx

MARK BURNYEAT

APPEAL PRESIDENT 2026-2027

Mark Burnyeat is a retired banker and investment management professional with a career spanning over four decades. He joined Smith & Williamson in 2012 as an investment manager after a distinguished career at Kleinwort Benson, where he worked in various areas including investment and private banking. Mark is also a keen golfer.

Mark has been a supporter of the Foundation for over 20 years.