Amy Blackwell advises UHNW individuals on philanthropic and impact strategies at Acorn Capital Advisers.
Her background is in financial services with a wealth of experience working with and for charitable organisations. Amy speaks regularly on millennials’ attitudes towards values, wealth, impact and successful multi-generational wealth transfer. She espouses a bespoke approach to creating values-driven strategies when working with families in designing or reviewing impact investments. Her strength lies in matching individuals and families to organisations and charities where there is strong synergy. Amy is a strong believer that a values based approach to impact strategies achieves the best outcomes.
Amy started her career at Merrill Lynch supporting HNW clients with their financial services needs and engaging with their legal and tax advisers. She has chaired various committees and boards for educational charities; overseen fundraising campaigns through events; managed volunteers for campaigns and advised on a variety of other charitable committees. Amy currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Right to Play UK and on the Advisory Board of the social enterprise, Open Briefing.
Amy also managed business development and strategy for the CAF American Donor Fund and was a member of their Management Committee. She was previously on the Board of Trustees (UK) for Ubuntu Pathways, a health and education charity. Amy regularly mentors country managers and development directors for charities to maximise their engagement with the HNW donor community.
Educated at Northwestern University, Amy graduated with Honours in History. She attended LSE and received a MSc in International Development Humanitarian Emergencies.
Amy Blackwell’s Background
Acorn Capital Advisers
Partner - Philanthropy and Impact
London, UK
Acorn Capital Advisers is an independent wealth management adviser whose clients are ultra-high net worth individuals and family offices.
Amy E Blackwell
Founder and Philanthropy and Impact Adviser
Jan 2019 - Present
London, UK
Amy creates bespoke philanthropic, impact strategies and impact needs for families and foundations in order to achieve their desired social impact. She regularly hosts private small gatherings offering peer to peer conversations with their families and advisers on the topics of living a purposeful life and celebrating the gift of failure.
Manager Business Development CAF American Donor Fund / Manager Private Client Advisory
Jan 2018 - Feb 2020
London, UK
The Charities Aid Foundation promotes donations to charities and provides services and assistance to them as well as their donors. Amy designed an advisory program for the private client team and delivered professional development training workshops for multiple teams.
As a member of the Private Executive Services Team, Amy advised high-net-worth clients on investment strategies and worked closely with tax and legal advisers to plan for impact goals. She also held the role of tax coordinator of the group.
Amy was Chairperson of The Learning Fund Grant Committee, President of the Parent Teacher Organisation and President of the Volunteer Council at School District 103.
Open Briefing is a social enterprise supporting those on the frontlines of civil society by protecting them and their partners, both online and in the real world.
Amy co-chaired a committee of 50 people and managed over 100 volunteers to plan and execute a gala event and contributed to fundraising for the school.
