With 10 weeks of professional dance lessons under their belt, 10 asset management officials showcased their new skills in a dance contest in London Dec. 5, with Findlay Park’s Reena Tailor taking home a glitter ball trophy.
The Schroders-sponsored "CASCAID Schtrictly Come Dancing" event took place at the firm's headquarters and raised nearly £90,000 ($114,835) for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, an organization that supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
CASCAID “brings together colleagues from around the asset management industry (along with friends and family) to raise money for charity,” according to the group's website.
Tailor earned a perfect score of 40 for her Argentine tango.
Other contestants included Edward Bonham Carter, vice chairman of Jupiter Fund Management, who performed the cha-cha; Katie Trowsdale, head of client investment solutions at abrdn, who danced the cha-cha; and Phil Wagstaff, independent non-executive director at Perpetual Ltd., who performed the jive, among other industry professionals.
“We wanted a varied group (of dancers) representing different asset managers,” said a spokesperson for Schroders. “The individuals are a mix of volunteers and individuals (who were) approached.”
Each contestant performed with a professional dance partner.
Schroders' spokesperson said this was their second sponsored charity dance event; the first one was held in 2022 and raised more than £80,000 ($101,000).
Kimberley Lewis, head of active ownership at Schroders, won the 2022 event.
The proceeds will have various applications in helping families with ill children. “We provide emotional and practical support for families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness,” Rainbow Trust said in a statement. “We offer the whole family support 24/7, regardless of diagnosis and for as long as they need it. Support is given at home, in the community or in (the) hospital.”
Tickets to the 2024 event were sold out and there was a waitlist, Schroders' spokesperson said.
CASCAID has raised over £5.4 million for Cancer Research, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and other charities.
Schroders is one of the many asset managers who have been a supporter of CASCAID since its inception in 2017, the spokesperson added.
Schroders had assets under management of £773.7 billion as of June 30.
