The creators of a new charitable fund have vowed to keep alive the legacy of one of the “true gents” of Birmingham’s business community.
The Ronnie Bowker Foundation aims to support the local community in education, social and arts projects – all causes that the former Ernst & Young boss passionately supported during his lifetime.
Mr Bowker was senior partner for the Midlands at the firm for nearly 15 years before he lost his battle with cancer last year.
South-African-born, Mr Bowker arrived in Birmingham in 1994 and was an audit partner at the firm for two years before taking the top job.
Among the many tributes which flooded in, Mr Bowker was described as a “true gent” for his work in the corporate sector but also within the local community, where he was heavily involved in the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, the CBSO, Birmingham Forward and the CBI West Midlands Regional Council, among many other organisations.
The fund, which has been set up in partnership with Ernst & Young and the Bowker family, is now raising money and is appealing to the local business community to get involved.
As well as seeking contributions, the foundation is organising a charity ball to be held on December 8 at Warwickshire County Cricket Ground, and a football tournament to be held on September 30. Mr Bowker’s wife Julie will be active “behind the scenes” in the fund, which is administered by the Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation. She said: “Ronnie would be absolutely humbled and I’m just very proud and blown away that this legacy will be carried forward.”
The foundation aims to support community and voluntary groups working in deprived areas of Birmingham and the wider area, with a particularl focus on arts, culture, education and training.
It is keen to receive applications from organisations that are able to show how their project will benefit the local community and is open to applications of between £250 and £1,500.
Mark Minihane, Ernst & Young partner sponsor for the foundation, said: “The fund was sponsored by Bruce Morton, a recently retired partner from the firm.
‘‘I did a lot of work with Ronnie so this foundation is very important to me. Ronnie was very helpful for me in my career so this is my way of giving something back.
“We’re trying to create something of a legacy in memory of Ronnie and to build a fund which can make a difference to causes which Ronnie was passionate about – and would be passionate about if he was still here.”
* Anyone interested in contributing to the foundation or taking part in charitable events should contact Zoe Keens at the Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation on 0121 322 5560, www.bbccf.org.uk
