Category Archives: The Social Capital

The Social Capital: Nigel Walsh of Cap Gemini

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This interview was first featured on www.indiaincorporated.com, where I write a column called The Social Capital

The Social Capital with Vikas Pota – What giving really means?

Vikas Pota speaks to Nigel Walsh from the world of financial services…

Nigel Walsh is Business Development Director, Insurance, at Capgemini Financial Services.

1. Is giving important? Why?

Yes. Pay it forward, helping others is always more rewarding than helping yourself.

2. What charities do you personally support?

I do a lot of cycling and this is mainly organised by Action Medical Research (www.action.org.uk) that has provided some great research into premature births and much more. Other charities that organise cycling events include BHF (British Heart Foundation).

I also support many other charities through my involvement in Freemasonry and I am a trustee of a national charity focused on health in the community, Hertsmere Leisure.

3. What was your first ever donation to a charity?

Possibly, to the British Heart Foundation.

4. Do you have a focus on where you donate your money?

Children’s charities.

5. Which individuals stand out for their support to charitable causes?

People like David Walliams and Eddie Izzard are a real inspiration. It’s too easy to give money. Giving time, especially training time, goes way beyond leveraging their brand to get more for the charity of choice.

6. What percentage of our income should we give to good causes?

At least one per cent.

7. What do you personally gain from contributing?

That everyone can make a difference, not everyone is as fortunate. There is always someone better and someone worse off than you.

8. What was the last donation you made?

This was my fifth consecutive year as part of a team of 11 cyclists from London to Paris. We raised over £25,000 as part of a bigger group that collected a total of £600,000. Something different awaits in 2012!

9. Have you taken part in any adventure events to raise money?

Cycling to Paris, among other charity bike rides.

10.·Is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and charitable giving by companies a marketing gimmick?

No. It brings emotion, usually in a few key individual’s minds, to bear to a brand that by nature can’t have a personality.

Through these in-depth interviews with industry leaders, Vikas Pota asks charity-related questions that unearth the driving force behind their philanthropy and social responsibility.

The Social Capital: Ravi Pandey of Rolta

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This interview was first featured on www.indiaincorporated.com, where I write a column called The Social Capital

The Social Capital with Vikas Pota – What giving really means?

Vikas Pota speaks to Ravi Shankar Pandey from the world of information technology…

Ravi Shankar Pandey was the head of the UK Business Unit of NIIT, the global IT education services giant and has recently joined Rolta as their President for Europe and MD of their regional ops in Germany, Netherlands and UK.

1. Is giving important? Why?

Yes, it is very important if someone is in a capacity to do something beyond their regular job and contractual obligation. As long as the ability and desire to help others come naturally.

2. What charities do you personally support?

I would not like to go into details as there are quite a few but I support children’s charities like CRY. I also support national charities like Comic Relief.

I also try and be supportive and sponsor my executives on their charitable missions such as motorbike rides or long treks, both in India and in the UK.

3. What was your first ever donation to a charity?

It is quite a funny story that has stayed with me. I grew up in Jamshedpur in India where there were regular home visits by a leper in search of alms. As children our birthday gift would be some pocket money from the elders, which we would use to buy a cricket bat or a football. I remember one such birthday when I chose to give all my birthday money to this leper.

I am not sure why I did it and it certainly was not a lot of money. But from then he became a regular visitor and was even at my wedding years later.

4. Which individuals stand out for their support to charitable causes?

Among the well-known names there is of course Warren Buffet and Bill Gates who have devoted their time and billions to charitable causes. However, there are many, many unsung heroes who have been giving their money and time but are not in the public eye.

To me it is a bigger inspiration when people with far less means try to still give something back.

5. What percentage of our income should we give to good causes?

This is a very valid consideration. I think anything that does not pinch. Sacrifice is very different from giving, as that requires a higher being. For those with some limited aspirations to make a difference about 10 per cent of your savings could be a good start.

Muslims have the concept of zakaat, which is a great motivator. I think it also makes commercial sense as it ultimately encourages you to save.

6. What do you, personally, gain from contributing?

I feel thrilled by the pleasure it gives my family. My children love being involved and it is a great motivator to see the amount of pleasure they get.

7. How important is it to you that charities provide evidence of their impact?

It is very important to see that the money is used for a worthy cause. Our contributions may be small but accountability is important.

8. Have you taken part in any adventure events to raise money?

If playing cricket for CRY counts, then that is something we did last year. But besides that I am always keen to encourage people who want to take on adventurous missions for charity.

9. Should charitable donations be private?

Charity is a very personal thing. We as Indians are always encouraged not to talk about it too much and I find it quite corny to speak about it too much.

10.· Do you have a focus on where you donate money?

Children’s charities are close to my heart. I have small children of my own and like to contribute in whatever way I can.

Through these in-depth interviews with industry leaders, Vikas Pota asks charity-related questions that unearth the driving force behind their philanthropy and social responsibility.

The Social Capital: Sumit Jamuar of Lloyds Banking Group

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This interview was first featured on www.indiaincorporated.com, where I write a column called The Social Capital

The Social Capital with Vikas Pota – What giving really means?

Vikas Pota speaks to Sumit Jamuar from Lloyds Bank…

Sumit Jamuar is a managing director at Lloyds Banking Group. He joined the bank in 2003 and is currently responsible for cash and payments sales, trade finance and agency treasury services and global clients for financial institutions (FI), part of Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets.

1. Is giving important? Why?

Yes, it is. Balancing self with contributing positively to society is an important part of my upbringing and personal philosophy. I realise that I am immensely privileged and it is my obligation to give back to society when I am able to.

2. What charities do you personally support?

Personally, I don’t have one dedicated charity, but there are causes that are close to my heart. Being an Indian living in Britain, charities that help bring the two countries together in some way are in my view extremely valuable.

Specifically, charities connected to education, talent-development and sustainable-finance are also hugely important. Some of the initiatives that come to mind are Money for Life, Opportunities International, Pratham, Save the Children, and Sewa Day.

Additionally, my responsibilities as the chairman of the GEM Network within Lloyds are part of my commitment to contribute positively to society and the bank.

3. What was your first ever donation to a charity?

It was in the 1980s when there was a severe drought in India. With around 20 neighbourhood friends we organised and delivered a charity event where we raised about Rs 250 through selling tickets. We ended up meeting the Prime Minister at that time, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, to deliver the cheque for his relief fund.

Looking back, while the amount we raised was relatively small, I am proud that we worked hard and tried to contribute in our own way.

4. Which individuals stand out for their support to charitable causes?

Bill Gates and N.R. Narayana Murthy are both phenomenal individuals who have contributed to society on a huge scale. Their application of their business skills to solve social problems is quite unique.

Within the Lloyds Banking Group I have always been influenced by Truett Tate, our vice-chairman – client coverage, who has been an inspirational leader with his relentless focus on contributing to society through charitable causes.

5. What percentage of our income should we give to good causes?

I don’t think a percentage really matters as long as you do it for the right reasons.

6. What do you, personally, gain from contributing?

When I was young, someone taught me that I should give 10 per cent of my time to something that I am passionate about, to contribute to society without having any expectations in return. I have found that this approach has allowed me to be pleasantly surprised. These experiences have always enriched me, in many situations, in totally unexpected ways.

7. How do you decide whom to donate to? Does your family influence your decision?

It depends on the themes as outlined above, and on the person who is committing time to this cause.

8. What was the last charity fundraiser you attended? How much was raised there?

Recently at a senior leadership event we raised £10,000 for Save the Children, which is Lloyds Banking Group’s charity of the year.

9. Should charitable donations be private?

Yes, they should preferably be anonymous

Through these in-depth interviews with industry leaders, Vikas Pota asks charity-related questions that unearth the driving force behind their philanthropy and social responsibility.

The Social Capital: Malcolm Lane – Tata Consultancy Services

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This interview was first featured on www.indiaincorporated.com, where I write a column called The Social Capital

The Social Capital with Vikas Pota – What giving really means?

Vikas Pota speaks to Malcolm Lane from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Malcolm Lane has over 35 years’ management experience within the IT and telecommunications industries. He joined Tata Consultancy Services in 2001 where he is Director Corporate Affairs. He also leads the European Tata Corporate Sustainability Group, which encourages synergy across the Tata Group companies.

1. Is giving important? Why?

Yes, when we see others in need around us, I fail to see how we can close our eyes and ignore. Clearly it is not possible to support all in need locally or around the globe so we need to identify the areas close to our hearts where we feel we can have maximum impact.

2. What charities do you personally support?

Some of the groups overseas and locally in the UK that do marvellous work like Compassion, Tear Fund, British Asian Trust and Cell Barnes Residents Association, St Albans.

Health is another area close to my heart and support includes The Institute of Cancer Research, Myeloma UK, Grove House hospice, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Anthony Nolan Trust and Indian Cancer Society.

Through the online Just Giving channel I like to encourage people in their fundraising, especially employees of Tata Consultancy Services.

Education charities are another priority area for me. I admire and support groups like the Mumbai Mobile Crèche, Loomba Trust, African Children’s Choir (orphans in Africa), Cunningham Hill School UK – where I have been a school governor for 24 years, Bread Tin – teaching young City professionals philanthropy and Stepney Football club education projects.

A truly inspirational project is the Sevalaya School [www.sevalaya.org] project in India, built by a former TCS employee over a 20-year period. The idea is to help any child who cannot afford to pay to go to school. The school has an orphanage for boys and girls as well as an old people’s home, a library and medical centre and a sanctuary for cows. I have been associated with Sevalaya School for many years. It has succeeded in eradicating child labour in a number of villages in the area.

Some faith-based charities I support include Prospects UK – supporting adults with learning disabilities, Thirlmere Church, and students at All Nations Christian College addressing needs in society.

3. What was your first ever donation to a charity?

To my local church as a child in Sunday school.

4. Which individuals stand out for their support to charitable causes?

Eric Low, the CEO of Myeloma UK, and V. Muralidharan, founder and managing trustee of the Chennai-based Sevalaya School.

5. What percentage of our income should we give to good causes?

A minimum of 10 per cent is a good starting point. But for those who have more, I believe more is expected. Consider, if a person receiving a ridiculously high income of £1 million and then gives away 90 per cent they are still left with £100,000 which is four times the national average income. So, 10 per cent for high earners (however you define high earners) would seem inadequate.

6. What do you, personally, gain from contributing?

I believe we should give expecting nothing in return. However, sometimes we are pleasantly surprised with gifts that money cannot buy, such as a get well card signed individually by 750 children from Sevalaya School, Chennai, and subsequently a thank you card signed by 900 children a few years later on my 60th birthday.

7. Do administrative charges by charities determine your decisions?

I used to judge a charity as being good if it had a very low administration charge, however we need to be more sophisticated in our approach. Different charities include different activities in their administration charges. Whilst I would still want to see low administrative charges, the administrative activities can be the engine and powerhouse of a charity.

8. When was the last time you volunteered for a cause?

On June 27, 2011, I spoke in the House of Parliament at the launch of Myeloma UK’s latest initiative to improve information to Health Care Professionals (HCPs) of the latest treatment and care options via the Myeloma Academy training facility. The aim was for the HCPs to be equipped to inform patients of the best treatments and latest options available in terms of emotional and financial support.

9. Should charitable donations be private?

We need to look from the perspective of those in need and if making our giving visible encourages others to give we should swallow our humility or pride to remain humble. However, neither should we be proud and shout ‘look at me, how good am I for giving so much’ or use our giving as a means of buying favour or recognition. In addition to financial donations, we should donate our time and skills which might be visible and as a result have a positive impact on those the charity is seeking to support.

10. Does your faith play a role in the charities you support?

A strong driver in life is my Christian faith, but not just faith for faith’s sake. Faith without deeds is dead and that action should be to meet the needs of those of all faiths and those of none. Faith might be our driver but not to just meet the needs of those aligned to our own faith. Unless faith brings about action with compassion for those in need, we had better confine the promotion of our faith to those well off and comfortable, which would be to my mind a wrong understanding of faith. I would summarise my Christian faith as ‘love God and love your neighbour’. Who is my neighbour? All those in need!

Through these in-depth interviews with industry leaders, Vikas Pota asks charity-related questions that unearth the driving force behind their philanthropy and social responsibility.