Luke Purser | Strategic Advisory

Overview

I am a strategic advisor to cultural and educational organisations worldwide, helping Boards, Chairs, and CEOs unlock transformational growth through philanthropy, commercial innovation, and creative strategy. Over the past twenty years, I have held senior leadership roles at institutions including the University of Oxford, the Royal College of Art, English Heritage, and international foundations, personally raising over £350 million and developing pioneering hybrid models for income diversification and growth.

My professional experience spans the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. I have established and led major philanthropic entities, exhibitions, events, and partnerships in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Athens, Rome, Paris, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore. I have built trusted relationships with royal households, philanthropists, cultural leaders, and corporate partners across the world.

As a founder-entrepreneur, consultant, non-exec, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, I combine commercial acumen, governance insight, and compelling storytelling to deliver results at the highest levels. I am also an Associate Director of the UK National Committee on China (UKNCC), reflecting my longstanding engagement with cultural and educational diplomacy across Asia.

Advisory Services

Board-Level Strategy: Align vision and income strategy with organisational ambition and governance best practice.
High-Value Fundraising: Design and deliver principal gift programmes, cases for support, and international campaigns.
Commercial Innovation: Develop sponsorship models, earned income initiatives, and hybrid philanthropic-commercial projects.
Campaign Support: Provide interim leadership, executive mentoring, and strategic prospect development.
Public Speaking & Storytelling: Craft and present compelling narratives that galvanise stakeholders and drive support.

Global Reach

My work spans the Middle East, Europe, the US, and Asia. I’ve advised foundations and royal households across the Gulf, secured major gifts from the Qatar Foundation and Sheikh Zayed Foundation, and reshaped a $25m partnership with KAUST. I’ve collaborated on projects with Queen Rania, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and Prince Turki Al Faisal, and taken part in Art Dubai and the Abu Dhabi Festival of World Thinkers.
I maintain a base in France and have worked with partners in Greece, Italy, Germany, and Monaco. In the US, I’ve spent over 20 years building 501(c)(3) organisations and delivering projects across New York, DC, LA, San Francisco, Houston, and Denver.
In Asia, I serve as Associate Director of the UK National Committee on China (UKNCC), with experience in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore, and partnerships with brands such as Nissan, Sony, Hyundai, Samsung, and Lane Crawford Joyce.

Selected Experience

At the Royal College of Art, I co-founded the Global Grad Show, launched RCA Secret Dubai, and authored the plan that secured £54m in Treasury funding.
At Oxford, I led fundraising for Humanities and the Bodleian Libraries, securing principal gifts from the Qatar Foundation and Sheikh Zayed Foundation.
At English Heritage, I raised £30m, staged the first live event at Stonehenge, launched its crowdfunding programme, and delivered £2m in sponsorship at Marble Arch.
I advised Queen Rania and her foundation on regional strategy, and created the Magna Carta exhibition featuring Andy Serkis. I now lead income strategy and commercial growth at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust..

Credentials & Affiliations

Founder-entrepreneur and strategic consultant
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
Associate Director, UK National Committee on China (UKNCC)
Non-Executive Director and Trustee roles including Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and Interactive Imagination Ltd
Former Sunday Times Fast Track business analyst and advisor
Experienced public speaker and cultural strategist
Holds an MA from the University of Oxford