The Buffini Chao Foundation was established as a family philanthropic foundation by Sir Damon Buffini and his wife, Debbie, in 2005. With a focus on promoting education and opportunities, it has since supported many charities and their programmes, impacting thousands of children and young people in the UK and beyond.
Since the beginning, Sir Damon Buffini, Lady Buffini and the trustees have shaped the Foundation so that it will enhance the lives and futures of as many young people as possible.
Meet our trustees
Lady Buffini CBE
Debbie Buffini (née Chao) chairs the Foundation. She believes in an active approach to giving, liaising closely with chosen charities and enjoying visiting projects in action.
Debbie is currently a Board member of the English National Ballet and is also on the Advisory Panel of Into University. Prior to this Debbie was on the Board of Eastside Young Leaders Academy, a charity based in Newham, East London. In July 2023, Debbie was awarded an honorary doctorate from Manchester Metropolitan University in recognition of her work to support young people.
Debbie’s earlier career was as a solicitor, working in London and the US, having qualified both in England and at the New York State Bar.
Lady Buffini has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year Honours 2026 list for services to Philanthropy and to Young People.
Sir Damon Buffini
In 2015 Sir Damon was appointed Chair of the Royal National Theatre (NT) (www.nationaltheatre.org.uk) whose mission is to create world class theatre and make it available to everyone. Damon is also currently Chairman of BBC Holdings (www.bbc.co.uk) and a non-executive member of the BBC Main Board. He is also Chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust (www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk)
In 2020 Damon was appointed by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for DCMS as Chair of the £2billion Cultural Recovery Fund
(CRF) (www.gov.uk/government/groups/culture-recovery-board).
Damon was co-founder (alongside Adele Blakebrough) of the Social Business Trust (SBT) (www.socialbusinesstrust.org) which provides strategic support to many social enterprises. Since its inception SBT has helped over 3 million people.
Damon was a founding partner of Permira (www.permira.com) and was Chairman and Managing Partner from 1997-2010. Under his leadership Permira was named European Private Equity Firm of the decade 1996 – 2006.
Damon was Knighted in 2016 for philanthropic and voluntary services and in 2021 was selected by Harvard Business School as one of the 84 “Agents of Change” – Black alumni of Harvard Business School who have made a difference to the world.
Off the Agenda – Sir Damon Buffini and Sir Charles Bowman https://bit.ly/3uRdEO1
Grace Chan
Grace joined the Foundation in December 2025. As the first generation born in New Zealand to a Chinese immigrant family where her parents did not receive an education, she attended the lowest decile school. But the opportunity to learn a musical instrument for free from age 10 to 17 has had a lasting positive impact on her. Grace credits early access to free music education with igniting a lifelong commitment to widening participation in arts and culture.
Grace is a chartered accountant and has worked for a number of performing arts organisations including the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, was a trustee of the Bush Theatre, and is currently part of the executive team at English National Ballet and is on the National Council of Arts Council England. She also spent 10 years at Deloitte, was Finance Director at Nesta, and has dabbled in a range of other things like delivering book festivals and teaching Pilates. She is passionate about art and culture continuing to be a key contributor to this country’s happiness and health.
Sue Gutierrez
Sue has been a trustee of the Foundation since 2014.
Sue grew up in Stoke-on-Trent where she went to grammar school and won a place to read PPE at Lincoln College, Oxford. Her career has been in Marketing in both commercial and education sectors and she has lived in several countries. She now works as a strategic consultant for schools in the UK and overseas. As a keen tennis player and golfer, she is particularly passionate about the benefits to children and young people of playing sport.
Karen Platt
Karen joined the Foundation in December 2022. Karen went to a comprehensive school in Sussex and was the first in her extended family to study for a degree. She believes that provision of opportunity and active encouragement and support for young people is key to raising aspiration and engendering a sense of belonging. Karen is involved with local community charities focused on improving the lives of young people.
Karen’s career was in live sports broadcasting and documentary television. She remains a dedicated armchair sports fan.