For an individual who has brought about a major positive impact on the world, or a specific group, community, cause or organisation – either through giving, philanthropy, impact-investing or some other means (in the last 12 months).
This award was new for 2022.
A UK-based charity, Vision for a Nation, was set up in 2011 and within five years had helped to train 2,700 nurses to deliver the necessary test and eyewear through 502 health centres, making the service available to the entire population of Rwanda.
Good vision can be instrumental in economic development. However, Chen says, when the 17 UN sustainable development goals were revealed in 2015, the importance of sight was not among them.
After years of campaigning and evidence-gathering, he eventually succeeded in securing a United Nations resolution in 2021 that committed the UN to the goal of affordable eyecare for everyone.
Sponsored by Stewardship
Ajaz Ahmed founded digital creative agency AKQA in 2001 when he was just 21. In 2012 WPP, then led by Sir Martin Sorrell, acquired a majority stake in a deal that valued the company – which counts Nike, Rolls-Royce, LVMH and Volvo among its clients – at $540 million.
But it is Ahmed’s work with his foundation, Ajaz.org, and its support of disadvantaged families and children across the UK, which is recognised by The Spear’s Impact Award.
Ahmed has worked closely with Nicola Brentnall, former chief executive of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, to hone his philanthropy. He has substantially increased and intelligently targeted his giving through Ajaz.org, which makes grants to small charities in the UK – and also celebrates and shares the work of deserving ‘unsung heroes’.