Philanthropy

1. Gates and Bloomberg team up for anti-smoking campaign

   Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, the US billionaires, have rallied together to launch a global anti-smoking campaign, committing a combined $500m to help governments in developing countries increase tobacco control.

2. Buffett gives away $2bn to charities

   Warren Buffett has given away 512,169 Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock to three charitable foundations, in tune with his intention to donate the bulk of his fortune during his lifetime, according to an Associated Press report.

3. US billionaire donates $100m to renovate New York Theatre

   US billionaire David Koch has donated $100m (€63.5m) for the renovation of the New York State Theatre, transforming the 1964 building into the David H. Koch Theatre, according to a report in The New York Times.

4. Hohn charity reinvests bulk of £800m back into TCI

   Christopher Hohn’s charitable foundation has reinvested virtually all of its £800m (€1bn) endowment back into the activist hedge fund manager’s hedge funds, analysis of recently filed accounts showed, according to a report in The Independent.

5. Taming the dragon

   Duncan Bannatyne, a 59-year-old Scottish entrepreneur with a £310m (€390m) fortune, is no stranger to the media spotlight but he confesses to feeling rather awkward about his latest incarnation as the poster boy for wealthy British philanthropists.

6. Coutts launches fund to treble philanthropic donations

   Coutts, the UK-based private bank, has developed a fund in partnership with the Community Foundation Network which allows philanthropists to increase their donations by up to 341%, through Gift Aid tax relief and government "top-up".

7. The rise of the eco-rich

   Andrea Clavarino, 51-year-old president of Assocarboni, the International Association of Coal Operators, is taking some simple steps to help sustain the planet.

8. Russians rising in City's circles

   The growing ranks of very wealthy Russians who have taken up residence in London might be best known for buying expensive houses and taking stakes in top football clubs. But increasingly, these emigrant Russian billionaires are intertwining themselves in the social and cultural fabric of the capital, becoming big acquirers of art and taking a prominent role in philanthropy.

9. London’s superrich continue to dig deep for charity

   The superrich in the UK are continuing to give record amounts to charity, confirming London as one of the most important centres for philanthropy in the world.

10. A leading philanthropist gives his top reasons for giving

    When Sir Tom Hunter made his initial £260m fortune from the sale of retail chain Sports Division in 1998 philanthropy was the last thing on his mind. He became interested after his advisers said it was a good way to avoid tax: “More appealing than moving to Monaco,” said Hunter.