London Business School receives largest ever gift

London Business School has been given its largest ever single individual donation, by South African businessman Nathan Kirsh.

The gift of £10million will contribute to the School’s endowment, which will increase by almost 40 per cent as a result. Significantly, the gift is unrestricted, which means the School can use the funds for projects of its choosing.

“This extremely generous gift is a real game-changer for London Business School, allowing us to build our endowment and providing us with the resources we need to build on our world-class position”, said Professor Sir Andrew Likierman, Dean, London Business School. “The majority of our peer schools have been building their endowments over decades, and in some cases centuries. At almost 50 years old, we’re relative newcomers in comparison, which is why this seminal gift is so important”, he continued.

With his appreciation for London as a global business centre, it was Kirsh’s determination to back a world-class British institution that led him to London Business School.

Nathan Kirsh, said: “Nurturing future leaders is essential for business and business schools have a huge part to play in this. That’s why supporting business education, in Britain in particular, is so important. My hope is that my gift will act as a stepping stone in the right direction, a benchmark for others to follow.”

Currently, according to the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit Innovation Index, the UK is in 26th place in terms of corporate investment in research and innovation.

Nathan Kirsh is a South African entrepreneur and owner of London’s iconic Tower 42. His principal business interest is Jetro Holdings, which operates Jetro Cash and Carry stores and Restaurant Depots in the US - supplying wholesale goods to grocery outlets and restaurants.