Who we are
The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives and wellbeing of individuals and communities where there is an element of disadvantage, through personal development such as education, the provision of new equipment, or the improvement and regeneration of their community.
The DBCF is a UK registered charity which supports causes across the UK, predominantly in Berkshire.
£12 Millionover the past 10 years granted to charitable causes, both personally and through his charitable foundation.
After David graduated from Newcastle Polytechnic, having read Economics, he spent two years as a Policeman with Thames Valley Police based in Slough. He then became a recruitment consultant and eight years later, in 1996, co-founded Huntswood.
Initially a recruitment consultancy, Huntswood is now a specialist resourcing and consultancy firm focussed on Governance, Risk and Compliance, Customer Contact Services, Complaint Handling and Remediation Services.
Still owning Huntswood, in 2013 David co-founded his second business, Havisham. This business is a trading and investment group with interests in Travel, House Building, Fashion, Commercial and Residential property letting, Pubs and Restaurants, Recruitment, a Technology and Education Platform, three Financial Services apps for consumers and Documentary Film Making. The company trades across The United Kingdom as well as other Countries.
In an interview with The Sunday Times David said his business philosophy and success is based on:
David takes pride in the work of his charitable giving; especially his own ‘David Brownlow Charitable Foundation’. All of which concentrates on helping individuals and communities where there is an element of disadvantage.
As well as being a Trustee of DBCF, David is a Patron of The Royal Osteoporosis Society, a Patron of Dingley’s Promise, a Life Patron of The Landmark Trust, a Founding Patron of The Royal Albert Hall’s President’s Circle, a Patron of The Royal Drawing School, a Vice-President of Berkshire Community Foundation and an Ambassador for Thames Hospice.
In January 2018 David was appointed as a Deputy to The Lord Lieutenant of The Royal County of Berkshire.
In Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours’ List of 2018 HM The Queen appointed David a Commander of The Royal Victorian Order (CVO).
In the Resignation Honours’ List of The Rt Hon Theresa May MP, HM The Queen created David a Peer of the Realm and he sits in The House of Lords as Lord Brownlow of Shurlock Row in The Royal County of Berkshire
For many years David has given his commercial experience as a business consultant to a number of organisations without charge; including:
In 2005 David was named the national ‘Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year’ in the Ernst & Young / Sunday Times / Coutts Awards.
In 2007 David was named ‘Best Chief Executive’ recognising his ‘outstanding service to compliance and regulation.’
Read David’s interview with The Business Magazine.
Trustee & Chairman
Ben is the Managing Director of Havisham Group and a Non-Executive Director of Huntswood, and works along side David Brownlow on all of David’s commercial endeavours. This has led Ben into a range of business and philanthropic initiatives.
Prior to the Havisham Group, Ben graduated from Bristol Business School with an Honours degree in International Business Studies with Spanish, having spent one year at Granada University.
Ben’s principal interests are music, travelling, cars and watching Manchester United.
Trustee
Edward is a solicitor in the City law firm Macfarlanes LLP, specialising in private client work. He advises individuals in relation to their own affairs and has particular interests in charity law and the drafting of trusts. Edward has known David for many years.
Edward acts a trustee of a number charities and trusts, with over 20 years of experience in the field. He is a member of the Charity Law Association.
Edward was raised in both England and France and speaks fluent French, which places him amongst a small group of English lawyers who are ideally placed to advise the French-speaking community based in London and the South-East. He is also chairman of the STEP Cross-Border Estates Group Steering Committee, reflecting the international nature of much of his work. He read classics a Cambridge University and after law school joined Macfarlanes LLP, where he is now a partner.
Edward lives in London with his wife and two children.
tRUSTEE
Nicola joined the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation as a trustee in February 2019, having been David’s PA at The Havisham Group and Huntswood for 3 years before that. Prior to this, Nicola worked for 13 years within the legal industry.
In her spare time Nicola enjoys going to live music events, travelling, kayaking and walking with her husband and dog. She tries to get out for a run when she can and has completed a couple of half marathons.
Chief Executive
Alexander Barfield has been the Chief Executive of The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation since 2013. Prior to this role Alexander has worked for both Heathrow Airport and The John Lewis Partnership. He fundamentally believes in the values of the DBCF and is a keen supporter of many charitable causes.
Alexander is Vice-Chairman of Twyford Together, which is a voluntary organisation bringing residents and businesses together, organising community events and raising money for local charities. In 2017 Alexander was appointed to the Board of Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) as a Trustee. Alexander is Chairman of BCF’s Philanthropy Committee and a member of the Grants Committee.
Alexander is the Secretary of the Waltham St Lawrence & Shurlock Row Village Show, and also on the fundraising committee for Macmillan South Cancer Support. Alexander is also heavily involved in the preparations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in both Windsor and Waltham St Lawrence.
In November 2021 it was announced in the High Court by the Queen’s Remembrancer that Alexander will serve as the High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire in 2024-2025.
Alexander has lived in the Wokingham area of Berkshire for most of his life, where he was also educated. He enjoys travelling and has been to over 50 Countries. During his travels Alexander has seen first hand the disadvantage faced by so many, however recognises that there are also many individuals and communities in the UK who need to be helped.
Alexander holds a Private Pilots Licence and enjoys flying in his spare time. He also enjoys playing the piano & accordion, and volunteering at community and charitable events.