The Rank Foundation was formed in 1953 by J. Arthur Rank, who was one of the most influential figures in British film in the 20th Century. Lord and Lady Rank made a decision to channel the proceeds from their controlling shareholding in the Rank Organisation towards charitable and Christian purposes. Lord Rank was profoundly interested in young people – in giving them opportunities, whether through education or other means. This is reflected in the work of the Foundation, especially the School Leadership Award, which has made a significant impact on the lives of over 1,000 people since its inauguration in 1978.
When Fred Packard, the grandson of J. Arthur Rank, became chairman of The Rank Foundation, he was keen to create a forum through which Rank Fellows could have contact with each other. Part of his vision was to find a way of harnessing the experience and expertise of these talented individuals for the benefit of voluntary organisations in need of their help. Previously, Fellows had little or no contact with other beneficiaries of the Leadership Award. Indeed, until relatively recently, The Rank Foundation remained anonymous, with only a school’s Head and the Bursar aware of the donor’s identity.
Efforts began to contact all 1,000 former Fellows a considerable challenge given that the only source of information as to their whereabouts was usually the schools they had attended many years previously. A Dinner was held in London on 12 November 2003, to mark 25 years of the School Leadership Award. It was attended by over 100 former Fellows and the Rank Fellowship was formally launched.
Jason Chaffer, one of the earliest Fellows, was invited to chair a Steering Group of former Fellows tasked with getting the Rank Fellowship off the ground. This Steering Committee meets four times a year in London. It has organised Mentoring Evenings, Charity Evenings, regional gatherings and social events. Future events are publicised on the website and through a regular email newsletter.
2003
The Rank Fellowship is founded by Fred Packard with Jason Chaffer as Chairman. It is formally launched at the Dorchester Hotel on 12 November
2004
First Careers Mentoring Evening, creation of Fellowship website, first Fellowship newsletter, link established with Fundacao Estudar in Brazil
2005
First School Leadership Day and Northern Area Fellows meeting
2006
First Charities Evening and Tall Ships Sailing Day
2007
First Fellowship Review, second London Charities Evening, Fellowship Website re-launched
2008
First Fellowship workshops for charities, first regional Charities Evening held in Manchester
2009
Fred Packard sadly dies aged 60, first Mentoring Evening at Thinkbox TV, Second Review, First Inner Temple Charities Evening
2010
First Career Development Evening at Manchester Square Partners, Fellowship team enters London to Brighton Charity Bike Ride, First West Country Charities Evening at Prior Park School
2011
Two Charities Evenings in on e year, in London and Warrington, North West Fellows establish the Merseyside Youth Trust, Third Review
2012
First ‘Think Big Start Small’ Evening, Fellowship Land’s End to John O’Groats bike ride
2013
Fellowship’s 10th Anniversary, Fourth Review, Three Peaks Challenge
2014
London social event, The Rank Challege, Charities Evening in Hull, Careers Development Evening
2015
Charities Evening in London, Leadership Day talk by Simon Beaufoy and his ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Oscar, Mentoring booklet produced
2016
Jason Chaffer steps down from Chairing the Fellowship after 13 years, Lindsey Clay becomes Chair, Relaunch of the Fellowship Newsletter, Charities Evening in Dundee
2017
Re-expression of Fellowship purpose: to inspire and support leadership that makes a positive impact on society, Careers Evening, Charities Evenings in Hull and London
2018
40th Anniversary of School Leadership Award, 15th Anniversary of the Fellowship, Outreach programme to connect with all Fellows, Anniversary Dinner
2019
Regional socials in Oxford, Edinburgh, Cambridge and Leeds, launch of Leadership Through Learning talks, Fellowship engagement survey, Fellowship Mentoring Programme