London's business community urged to back the Thames

The London business community is planning combined action to support environmental improvement to the capital's rivers. City Leaders will gather at the House of Lords on Friday 29th February for the launch of the new Thamesis scheme. Thamesis aims to inspire and organise financial support from the business community to fund and expand community programmes to improve the River Thames and other London waterways. The scheme is being launched by environmental charity Thames21 in partnership with Thames River Capital.

Commenting on its initial £50,000 donation to Thamesis, Thames River Capital's CEO Charlie Porter said: "The River Thames is everyone's concern, and this scheme gives the business community in London the opportunity to contribute in improving the health of the Thames and its waterways. For centuries, the River Thames has played a vital role in the development of trade and commerce in London, which has helped the City to flourish. It is now time for us to put something back.
"Thames21 is a relatively young charity but vital to the ongoing health of our river and City. If somebody throws a plastic bag, bottle or beer can into the Thames, there is no statutory responsibility for cleaning it up. With its small team of permanent staff and army of volunteers, Thames21 is a crucial resource for London."

Debbie Leach the CEO of Thames21 stressed that the involvement of businesses in the continued improvement of the River Thames is crucial. "We already work with many companies to engage their staff with our work. Thamesis is a very important initiative which will take this to the next level. By creating a business alliance committed to cleaning and greening London's rivers, we will be better equipped to carry out urgently-needed work in communities across London."
Companies attending include GCap Media, Betfair, Legal & General Plc, Old Mutual, Lovells, Herbert Smith, Canary Wharf Group, Lehman Brothers, Diageo, Credit Suisse, London Heliport and many more.

The Port of London Authority, who support the voluntary effort by removing floating Thames litter with their Driftwood craft, welcomed Thamesis warmly as an important new development.
Hosted by Lord Crathorne, the event will also be attended by Members of Parliament including Jim Fitzpatrick, Nick Raynsford and John Austin.

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Media enquiries: Contact Debbie Leach on 020 7248 7171 / 07976 559778 or deb.leach@thames21.org.uk

Notes to Editors
Thames21 is an environmental charity working to bring London's waterways to life. Dirty rivers and canals reduce the quality of life for all, harm and kill wildlife, damage the environment and drive people away from vital open spaces. London's rivers and canals are precious natural resources providing green spaces for urban communities and habitats for wildlife. Each year, with the help of over 4,000 volunteers, Thames21 removes over 600 tonnes of harmful litter from the River Thames, its tributaries and the canal network.

Thames21 has Key Support from: the Port of London Authority, British Waterways, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Corporation of London and other London Local Authorities.
Thames River Capital LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Thames River Capital LLP was established in 1998 and together with its affiliates Nevsky Capital LLP and Thames River Multi-Capital LLP, manages over £6.1bn (US$12.2bn)*, with 159 staff including 86 investment professionals and 24 in sales and marketing as at 31 January 2008.

Thames River Capital and its affiliates manage a range of multi-manager funds, property funds, UCITS III funds, and long / short funds investing in Emerging Market equities, European equities, Japanese equities, Global Credit markets and OECD sovereign bonds.

*Manager estimate, as at 31 January 2008.