Government must keep helping to protect the arts, says tycoon

Tycoon Sir Paul Ruddock, who has given more than £20 million to good causes, said the Government must continue to do its bit to back culture.

He made his plea as he was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Pat- ronage Award — previously presented to Prince Charles, Russian conductor Valery Gergiev and John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono.

The businessman told how it was the public-private mix that made British arts work.

“To run institutions without a significant level of government support would be impossible,” he said. “I would not want to see government retreat from its role as a defender and protector of the arts.”

He said national museums and galleries have faced a real-terms government funding cut of more than 30 per cent but had managed “carefully” — aided by “exceptional” leaders such as the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Sir Mark Jones, Neil MacGregor of the British Museum and the Tate’s Sir Nicholas Serota.

Private giving was much more widespread now, encouraged both by the Tories and Labour, said Sir Paul, adding: “Tax changes have helped somewhat. But it can always get better.”

Gift Aid could be simplified and more tax relief provided for people donating artworks in their own lifetime.

Sir Paul, with wife Jill Shaw Ruddock, has given “tens of millions” to the V&A, of which he is chairman, the British Museum, the Donmar Warehouse and other arts organisations.

At the V&A ceremony last night he announced that he would hand his 15,000-euro Montblanc award to the V&A for a contemporary acquisition.

Sir Paul, who co-founded Lansdowne Partners investment management firm, said he wanted to “give back” because it was early visits to the V&A and British Museum from the Midlands that in- spired his passion for culture — and won him his first job at Goldman Sachs after a long discussion about art at interview with its art-loving head of equities.

“I believe that every education should include lots of sport and culture,” he said. “The most successful people in all walks of life are curious and that is what a well-rounded education gives you.”

His future projects include helping the V&A to raise £5 million to buy four metre-tall angels made for Cardinal Wolsey by a Florentine contemporary of Michelangelo and then seized by Henry VIII when his chief adviser fell from favour and died.

They have been discovered after having long been thought lost.