Benevolent fund launched in support of Hospitality Action

A benevolent fund providing unrestricted endowments to Hospitality Action has been launched to support the charity’s work assisting people in crisis.

The Procter England Bancroft fund for Hospitality Action has been established by Stuart Procter, chief operating officer of the Stafford Collection, philanthropist Lenore England and Northcote managing director Craig Bancroft.

An initial donation of £100,000 will be made to Hospitality Action, with the trio behind the fund advising on future donations.

Procter said: “We have set up the fund to support those less fortunate than ourselves. Our goal is to involve our clients, who don’t always meet our superstars, along with hoteliers and restaurateurs who are yet to get involved. We can’t wait to get cracking.”

England added: “I am honoured to work with Stuart and Craig to support people in the UK hospitality industry through challenging times, in current and potential new ways.”

Bancroft said that England’s willingness to start such a fund was inspiring. “I sincerely look forward to working alongside Stuart and Lenore in delivering the most effective form of assistance that Hospitality Action requires to be truly effective in the future,” he added.

Hospitality Action’s chief executive Mark Lewis welcomed the fund’s creation. He said: “We’re all lucky to be able to take basic requirements for granted: carpets on bare floorboards, a comfortable mattress, food in the fridge, a cooker that works. But for many families, these essentials are out of reach, and that’s where Hospitality Action comes in. We rely on the generosity of our supporters, and none are more generous than Lenore, Stuart, and Craig. I’m humbled by their support of Hospitality Action and thank them all for the extraordinary gift of this fund.”

The Stafford Collection’s two hotels and restaurant are regular supporters of Hospitality Action. Northcote’s annual Obsession chefs’ season has raised £345,000 for the charity since 2009.

Since the start of 2020, Hospitality Action has spent over £3.5m on grant-giving and awarded more than 10,000 grants.