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real estate

Real Estate Committee raises over £200,000

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Since our Real Estate Committee was formed back in 2023, the initiative has gone from strength to strength with over £200,000 raised by the real estate and property community through a series of dinners and events.

The Spread a Smile Real Estate Committee is chaired by Shaun Simons, Founder of Compton, and brings together key industry figures; Chris Davies, CEO at Uncommon, Nicky Barker, Managing Director at KKR, James Lass, Head of Operational Real Estate at Swiss Life Asset Managers UK, Michael Mirelman, Director at GRE Finance and Lee Jackson, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland.

Thanks to their commitment and drive, we have enjoyed some incredible networking opportunities and brilliant evenings together, welcoming over 200 professionals from the property sector and raising thousands of pounds to support Spread a Smile’s work bringing joy and laughter to seriously ill children and young people.

On Thursday 13 February, we welcomed 40 guests for our 6th Real Estate Dinner, hosted at Uncommon in Holborn. Generously sponsored by Chris Davies (Uncommon) and Shaun Simons (Compton), the evening showcased the work and talents of Spread a Smile, with one of our magicians, Sacha leaving guests in awe of his magic tricks and sleight of hand.

Spread a Smile singer and Visit Manager, Collette, also performed during the drinks reception, before talking to guests about her work with the charity over the last 12 years. A highlight of the evening was Collette’s performance of her most requested song in hospital – ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman.

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive said, “The Real Estate Committee continues to go from strength to strength and we are extremely proud of everything that has been achieved. The dinners are a unique and special opportunity for Spread a Smile to reach and engage new audiences within the property world. I am incredibly grateful to Shaun Simons, Chris Davies and the rest of the Committee for giving up their valuable time and investing so much energy in creating such a wonderful network and community of people, keen to find out more about and support vital work.” 

A huge thank you to Shaun, our Committee and everyone who has joined us, donated and continues to support this brilliant initiative.

To find out more about our Real Estate events and how your company can support Spread a Smile, please reach out to our Partnerships Manager, Lucy Keith at lucykeith@spreadasmile.org

Introducing our Real Estate Committee

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We are proud to announce the launch of our new Real Estate Committee, created to explore new avenues to help us raise funds and awareness for the children and families we support.

The Real Estate Committee is a first for Spread a Smile. Chaired by Shaun Simons, Founder of Compton, the Committee brings together key industry figures; Richard Fine and Dan Uzan, Brotherton, alongside James Lass, Swiss Life Asset Managers, Michael Mirelman, GRE Finance and Chris Davies, CEO, Uncommon.

Prior to the unveiling of the Committee, Compton has already hosted two very well-attended dinners at their restaurant, with a guestlist from the real estate world. The dinner was a brilliant networking opportunity raising important funds to support Spread a Smile’s work, providing in-hospital and virtual entertainment for critically ill children and their families. The idea for the dinners was conceived following a meeting between Lucy Jackson, the charity’s Chief Executive and Shaun Simons, Founder of Compton, who specialise in commercial office leasing & investment.

Collectively the group will create opportunities to raise awareness and vital funds for the charity, via a programme of intimate events and industry dinners, at which guests will learn all about the crucial support that Spread a Smile provides.

Shaun Simons said of his role, “I was blown away when I first learned of the work that Spread a Smile does.  They are an amazingly unique charity and the support they provide really resonated with me from the very first introduction.  My son, who is now 10, was born 4 months premature and together with my wife, we spent over 5 months in various hospitals whilst he received urgent care. Having had significant exposure to many children’s wards I can really understand the importance of the service Spread a Smile provides.

“I have worked in the property industry for 23 years, it’s an amazingly social industry filled with great people. I have formed a strong and widespread network and along with my fellow committee members, I’m confident we can help raise the profile of the charity. I’m sure we will have amazing support from the property industry, a sector that currently knows very little about what the charity provides and the joy they can bring to those struggling. 

Shaun added, “I simply could not refuse the Chair position and I’m really flattered to be asked, and am eager to get stuck in, personally and professionally.  The wider Compton team will also work closely with the Committee, and will be supporting our plans across the Compton brand platforms to further spotlight the incredibly important work Spread a Smile do.”

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile’s Chief Executive said “I’m so looking forward to working with Shaun and the rest of the committee. I’m incredibly grateful to all of them for giving up their time and making important introductions to support our work and raise funds and awareness. This will enable Spread a Smile to continue to deliver our work and support new hospitals, spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families when they need it the most.”

The Committee’s 2023 programme will deliver two events; invite only dinners with engaging speakers and entertainment. The ambition is to bolster this with more events, plus open them out further inviting members from within the wider property community to get involved, all in an attempt to further raise the Spread a Smile charity.

To find out more about the Committee or how your company could get involved with supporting Spread a Smile, please email Lucy Keith at lucykeith@spreadasmile.org. Read more about our Real Estate Committee members here.