A speech by PBHA’s former interim CEO Debby Ounsted calls on livery companies to take inspiration for their philanthropic activities from three great women social reformers, says Brian Jones.

Deborah Ounsted CBE, PBHA’s former interim Chief Executive, completed her term as Master to The Mercers’ Company this month (July).

I chanced upon Deborah’s speech to the annual dinner of the City of London Livery Companies hosted by the Lord Mayor in March. It is well worth a read.

Making the case for the continuing relevance of the Livery Companies, she draws on the example of three great women social reformers– Elizabeth Fry, Florence Nightingale and Octavia Hill.

Although, they were not in the Livery, they greatly influenced the social fabric of London and beyond. They championed the downtrodden and disadvantaged and the social change they inspired resonates more than a century later.

Brian Jones is Fundraising Manager at PBHA. Contact him at brian.jones@peterbedford.org.uk.