From Rags To Riches To Repulsion To Philanthropy

Leading British Philanthropist Laurie Marsh To Host Book Launch & Fundraiser For The Cinema Museum

The Philanthropist's Tale - a life story by Laurie Marsh

PRESS LAUNCH & FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY LAURIE MARSH

WHEN

Tuesday, 4 October 2016 from 18:00 to 20:30

WHERE

The Cinema Museum, Dugard Way, London, SE11 4TH

RSVP & MORE DETAILS

http://www.thephilanthropiststale.eventbrite.co.uk/

Londoner Laurie Marsh is one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs but he's never been one for hogging the limelight. Now in his 80s, Laurie has written an inspiring book detailing how he went from Lambeth Walk to the glamour of New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

The Philanthropist's Taleis an incredibly motivating true life story of a man at the top of his career, who became "revolted" by the greed and hunger for personal wealth within the business world, and took a path to giving away a bigger proportion of his wealth than the likes of Bill Gates and many other well-known philanthropists.

What led Laurie to leave his high-flying corporate career and embark on philanthropy?This unique memoir looks back on a long career and uses his breadth of experience to expose some rather uncomfortable truths about the state of the public and leisure sectors, and the NHS. Laurie works in his role as a philanthropist, government advisor and supporter of a wide range of charities every day.

"Laurie Marsh is one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs but up until now you will have not heard of him because instead of starring in a reality TV show or mounting a political campaign he has stayed true to his business experience and beliefs." -Publisher, Matthew Smith, Urbane Publications

The Philanthropist's Tale, published by Urbane Publications earlier this year, tells Laurie's compelling rags-to-riches story in its entirety for the first time. Laurie's eclectic career included persuading Disney to license their characters outside the USA and convincing film stars to perform in low budget movies (his company Tigon produced 75+ films). Laurie has also developed and operated hotels, theatres, a 150-screen cinema chain and founded an international film distribution company. His passion for film production is visible in his support of London's very own Cinema Museum, the venue for the fundraiser and book launch, scheduled for the evening of October 4^th2016. At every step of his life, Laurie has carved success in his professional life by utilising his confident, entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to every challenge and opportunity.

Not one for retirement, Laurie still works every single day - typically on at least 10 different projects - using his experience and influence to help as many good causes and charitable organisations as he can, from building community centres to advising the government on how to make the NHS self-sufficient. Laurie has ‘saved' more theatres than anyone is aware of (seven in London, one in Bath - Theatre Royal - and one in New York!) and is currently working on a project close to his heart, helping to save the ‘Mill at Sonning' theatre in Oxfordshire.

Laurie's profits from the sale of The Philanthropist's Tale will be divided between the organisations he supports via his family's charity including Medecins Sans Frontiers, Water Aid, The British Humanist Association, The Cinema Museum and Population Matters. He has also gifted hundreds of copies to charities to send to their biggest donors, to give ‘something back' but also with the goal of encouraging further donations and support.

About the author

Laurie Marsh has almost 50 years of experience working with charities and in the private and public sectors. He was born in 1930 in London and spent the early years of his life living in a couple of rooms above the family haberdashers in Lambeth Walk. He now lives with his wife in St John's Wood, London. Laurie was conscripted to the army during World War II. After his service he began a plastics manufacturing business and secured a license to use the likeness of Disney characters. In the same period Laurie became a director of a family property company, which was set up in partnership with West End Travel Group, Wakefield Fortune. In 1961 Laurie oversaw his first £1 million project in central Derby (eventually creating the third largest public property company in the UK). By 1970, he quit the company and by 1979 he had sold his conglomerate of 10 businesses to Lew Grade, hence his philanthropy began apace!

The Essential Details

Category:Memoir, Business, Philanthropy

ISBN:1910692549

eISBN:9781910692547

Format:Jacketed Hardback & eBook

Available on Amazon & from all good book shops

Price:£16.99

Release Date:May 19 2016

From left to right: Lord Lew Grade,

Lady Kathleen Grade, Laurie Marsh

and Reg Dowdeswell (CEO of Classic Cinemas).

Press enquiries:helenlewis@literallypr.com