A new patron has been appointed for the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Board strengthening its connection with global car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover.
Ian Harnett, Director of Human Resources and global purchasing at Jaguar Land Rover, has been appointed as a new patron for the Board, which raises funds for the NSPCC’s Boole House.
Boole House, which is based in Coventry City Centre, works closely with the city’s most vulnerable children and their families after being set up over 22 years ago with the support of the NSPCC Coventry and Warwickshire Business Group.
An initial £450,000 was raised when the group was first founded by Sir Nick Scheele, former Chairman and Chief Executive for Jaguar Cars to build and run Boole House which is based at Whitefriars Street, in Coventry.
The centre is named in memory of David Boole, former PR Director for Jaguar Cars who supported the project.
Coventry and Warwickshire Business Group members includes key business professionals and directors from across the region who work together to organise fund raising events for Boole House.
Since 1996 the Business Group has raised almost £3 million for Boole House through its fundraising efforts hosting events such as garden parties, Jaguar drives and golf days.
Ian said: “It is an honour to be appointed as a patron for such an important charity centred in the heart of the community.
“To be able to continue the legacy of Jaguar Land Rover and the NSPCC supporting each other in helping local children in need is incredibly important and I look forward to continuing to raise as much money as possible for the charity in the future.”
The appointment of a new patron follows the longstanding connection with Jaguar Land Rover as current Chairman for the NSPCC Coventry and Warwickshire Business Group, Les Ratcliffe MBE, is the former Head of Community Relations at Jaguar Land Rover and continues to support the connection between the charity and the local business community.
He said: “The NSPCC has always had a long connection with Jaguar Land Rover and with this new appointment, our support for the NSPCC Boole House Charity continues to grow.
“The centre illustrates how the local business community can support charities and local people in need and we intend to continue supporting the centre, raising money to directly support vulnerable children across the region.”
