Release Date 07 July 2016

Three benefactors whose donations have helped transform lives through the work of the University of Reading have been inducted into the College of Benefactors.

Mental health charity the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield, and bank Santander Universities UK were inducted into the college on Thursday 7 July 2016 as part of Reading's official graduation ceremonies.

The College of Benefactors is a prestigious group whose members are recognised as being among the most significant donors to the University.

Presenting each of the new members, Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell said: "We are pleased to introduce each of the inductees for 2016 and recognise how their generous support has had a transformative impact on the University's teaching and research. I thank all of these donors for their exceptional support of the University of Reading."

Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust was set up in 1997 in memory of Charlie Waller. Funding from the Trust has helped develop and increase provision of Brief Behavioural Activation Therapy - a pioneering new talking therapy for young people with low mood. The Trust's annual grant to support the University of Reading's Charlie Waller Institute continues to deliver significant benefits in research, training and related areas.

Sir Mark and Lady Rachel Waller, founders of the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, attended the ceremony.

Sir Mark said: "It has been a great honour to be associated with the University of Reading. The Charlie Waller Institute has gone from strength to strength, and it has been fantastic for us, and to be honoured in this way is a real fantastic treat. We are really grateful.

"We are getting this honour, but it is the charity which has put up the funds for the Institute, which has involved a lot of work by individuals raising money. We have received this honour on behalf of all those who have supported the charity over the years."

Cushman and Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield are a leading global real estate services firm that helps clients transform the way people work, shop and live. As Corporate Patrons they have supported and continue to support the Reading Real Estate Foundation's core activities, which include the award of bursaries and hardship funds to Real Estate & Planning students within Henley Business School at the University of Reading.

Robert Murphy, from Cushman and Wakefield, received the honour on behalf of his firm.

He said: "As a former student of the University of Reading in the old Land Management course, this is a real trip down memory lane and a fantastic reconnection with the University.

"The University of Reading has a world-leading status in real estate education. To be admitted into the College of Benefactors is an honour which stands out and gives a message to all those who work in the organisation I work in that we are investing in both your education to get here, and in future generations."

Santander Universities UK

Since 2012 Santander Universities UK has worked with the University of Reading to support Academic Achievement Scholarships for students from Latin America. It has also funded the Reading University Boat Club rowers to train at an elite training camp in Spain, contributed to the Reading Internship Scheme which helps students gain work experience, and donated to a boot camp for students and graduates with business ideas.

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