The legacy of wealthy philanthropists in Hertfordshire and Essex

In this year’s Private Wealth Guide, we dug deeper into the philanthropists who have used their wealth for good, helping to make Hertfordshire and Essex the thriving counties they are today. In our Hertfordshire Guide, we spotlighted John Apthorp CBE, who died recently in July 2024 after dedicating his life and wealth to the service of local charities. In our Essex Guide, we spoke about Colchester’s Colin Bennett, who has donated millions of pounds to local charities through his CAF Charitable Trust.

But it isn’t just modern-day philanthropists who have left their mark on our society. In this blog, we look back through the annals of history to discover how Hertfordshire and Essex have been shaped by the generosity of wealthy benefactors. These men and women used their resources to support education, healthcare, cultural preservation and community wellbeing, and their philanthropy has had a lasting impact on the counties we know and love today.

A historic tradition of giving

The roots of philanthropy in Hertfordshire and Essex date back centuries, with wealthy landowners, industrialists and other notable figures funding projects that would go on to make a lasting impact. Prior to the establishment of the welfare state we rely on today, these philanthropic endeavours acted as a lifeline to the poor, sick and needy living in the two counties.

Let’s take a look at some of the most famous philanthropists:

Thomas John Barnardo (Essex)

Thomas Barnardo was born in 1845 and settled in Essex with his wife, Sara, in 1873. He is known for his work supporting children and orphans living in poverty in and around London, establishing well over 100 orphanages for children living in appalling conditions. Today, Barnardo’s eponymous charity continues his legacy, working with disadvantaged children across the UK to give them hope for a better future.

Richard Hale (Hertfordshire)

Richard Hale, a prominent 16^th-century merchant, established Richard Hale School in Hertford in 1617. Now over 400 years old, the school continues to educate students to this day. Hale’s vision to provide a quality education to young men in the local community made a lasting contribution to the county’s educational landscape.

John Howard (Hertfordshire)

John Howard was a prison reformer based in Cardington, Hertfordshire. He promoted a tough but healthy prison environment that focused not just on punishment, but on reform and rehabilitation. His contribution towards improving prison conditions improved conditions for prisoners not only in Hertfordshire, but also across the country.

The Gibberd Family (Essex)

Sir Frederick Gibberd, the renowned architect and planner of Harlow New Town, also made significant philanthropic contributions to his community. The Gibberd Garden, which he gifted to the public, remains a treasured cultural and environmental landmark in Essex. .

Modern philanthropy in Hertfordshire and Essex

The face of philanthropy has changed radically since the heyday of wealthy aristocrats and industrialists. But, in spite of the introduction of the welfare state, it is still desperately needed – as is evidenced by the many wealthy residents who continue to donate their wealth to a plethora of worthy causes.

Sir Trevor Brooking (Essex)

Sir Trevor, a former West Ham player, football manager and pundit, lives with his wife Hilkka in Essex. He is known for using his influence and resources to fund a wide range of charities and sporting initiatives, particularly youth football projects.

Jack Wilshere (Hertfordshire)

Former England footballer Jack Wilshere has used his earnings to raise vital awareness of heart conditions, becoming a British Heart Foundation ambassador following his daughter’s life-saving heart surgery.

He has also been associated with a number of other charities, including Ronald McDonald Evelina London House (which provides accommodation and support to families with children at Evelina London Children’s Hospital), Royal Papworth Hospital Charity, NHS Charities Together and Muscular Dystrophy UK.

John Caudwell (Essex)

Tech entrepreneur and Essex resident, John Caudwell, is one of Britain’s most generous philanthropists. He has donated substantial sums to health-related causes, particularly through his support for Caudwell LymeCo, a charity focusing on Lyme disease.

Keep an eye out for further private wealth content!

We hope that this deep dive into Hertfordshire and Essex philanthropy was of interest to you – it serves as further proof that the wealthy population who reside in the two counties have long been using their wealth to make life better for those less fortunate.

We’ll be releasing much more content like this in the coming months, building on the topics we have explored in our Private Wealth Guide. Keep an eye out on our blog and follow us on social media using the hashtag #PrivateWealthGuide, so you don’t miss a thing.