It has been announced that the chairman of The Lowry, Sir Rod Aldridge, had made a £400,000 private donation with his wife, Carol (Lady Aldridge) to the organisation to support its learning and engagement programme.
Sir Rod was the founder and chairman of Capita – the UK’s leading provider of business process outsourcing and integrated professional support service solutions, from its creation in 1984 until his retirement in 2006.
It is the latest donation inspired by the couple’s commitment children and young people, their support having previously helped to develop and deliver The Lowry’s ‘Inspired to Aspire’ work and skills programme and Youth Dance Programme.
In recognition of this latest, generous donation, The Lowry Studio, where many of the arts centre’s community workshops and activities take place – will be renamed The Aldridge Studio at The Lowry.
Sir Rod and Lady Aldridge said: “We are passionate about ensuring that young people overcome challenges in their lives to achieve their full potential. The Lowry has an unparalleled track record in using the arts to change lives. We look forward to being part of the next phase of this exciting programme and seeing the benefits to people’s lives in Salford that The Lowry will achieve because of this donation.”
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “Sir Rod has been a driving force in shaping our approach to our successful and life-changing learning and engagement activity. His and Carol’s latest donation will ensure this work continues to be at the heart of The Lowry’s mission – and the re-naming of The Studio is a fitting and thoroughly appropriate way to mark their incredible generosity. This donation, from one of the UK’s leading social entrepreneurs, is a fantastic endorsement of the work that The Lowry does in communities in Salford and across the North West.”
In 2006, Sir Rod established the Aldridge Foundation to help young people reach their potential and improve their communities, principally through the sponsorship of entrepreneurial academy schools and colleges. This personal donation builds on Sir Rod’s work through the Aldridge Foundation.
He was appointed an OBE for services to the computer industry in 2006 and received a knighthood in 2012 for his work with young people.
