The secretive Presidents Club Charitable Trust was founded 33 years ago and has been running charity events ever since.
The club claims to have raised £20million for children’s charities by auctioning high-end experiences and gifts to its wealthy members.
Its website states: ‘Over the years, esteemed members of the investment, real estate, sports, entertainment, motor industry and fashion world have come together to support and raise millions of pounds for the trust in its work to help as many worthy children’s causes.
‘The success of the Presidents Club has meant that donations have been made to numerous children’s charities.’
The Presidents Club hired 130 women as hostesses at the annual black-tie fundraiser, which was held at The Dorchester hotel in Mayfair last Thursday (pictured in 2012)
The multinational advertising and public relations company WPP sponsored a table at last week’s event although its chief executive, Martin Sorrell, was absent despite attending in previous years.
In his place Andrew Scott, chief operating officer for Europe hosted the table. The FT reported that other companies which sponsored tables include CMC Markets and Frogmore, the real estate investment business.
Others named on the seating plan, although it is not clear if they attended, includes financiers Henry Gabay, founder of hedge fund Duet Group, and Makram Azar, the head of Barclays’ investment bank’s Middle East business and Labour peer Jonathan Mendelsohn.
Previous attendees include former vice-chairman of Goldman Sachs, Michael Sherwood, Finnish real estate billionaire and Tory party donor Poju Zabludowicz, while current and past patrons include Nick Candy, Bernie Ecclestone and Vernon Kay.