Investment firm Rathbones has been unveiled today as the new headline sponsor of the Charity Awards, Civil Society Media’s annual event to recognise excellence in the charity sector.

Rathbones is one of the largest managers of charity investments, with £4.3bn under management on behalf of 1,200 charities.

Andrew Pitt, head of charities - London at Rathbones, said: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Civil Society Media as sponsors of the Charity Awards. The awards celebrate leadership, good governance, innovation and excellence.  As investment managers we do everything we can to support the work that the sector does and promoting best practice is an important part of our relationship with charities.”

Julian Chislett, chief executive of Civil Society Media, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Rathbones on board. They have a great empathy with the sector and a deep knowledge, and we look forward to a long partnership with them.”

The Charity Awards, now in their 19^th year, are the longest-running awards in the sector. Ten awards are given to charities which show excellence in their fields. A lifetime achievement award is given out in memory of Daniel Phelan, founder of Civil Society Media.

This year the overall winner was the Clink Charity, which trains prisoners in catering to reduce re-offending. The Daniel Phelan Award was awarded to Lynne Berry, chair of Breast Cancer Now.

Rathbones takes over the headline sponsor from the Charities Aid Foundation, which remains involved with the awards as a supporter sponsor.

Applications for the Charity Awards open on 1 December. To register your interest click here.