Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Edmund Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury, (born 3 June 1979) also known as Nick Ashley-Cooper, succeeded his brother as Earl of Shaftesbury
. The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury is the godson of Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster
; and Simon Elliot, husband of Annabel Shand, sister of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Shaftesbury's father, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury
, had been murdered in November 2004 by the brother of his third wife, Jamila M'Barek
, but his body was not discovered until April 2005. A month later, on 15 May 2005, Shaftesbury's brother, Anthony, the 11th Earl, died of a heart attack and the peerage devolved upon Nicholas. Following his brother's death, Shaftesbury relocated to his family home from New York City and assumed the responsibilities of the earldom. He also holds the subsidiary titles Baron Ashley and Baron Cooper
.
On 11 September 2010, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury was married to the former Dr. Dinah Streifeneder. Professionally, the new Countess of Shaftesbury is a veterinary surgeon. Together, the 12th Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury are committed to philanthropic pursuits, expressing interests in conservation, animal welfare, and working to assist children with disabilities. Since inheriting the titles and estate, Shaftesbury has embarked on an aggressive restoration project of the Shaftesbury Estate and St Giles House, determined to revitalise the shire and recapture the aristocratic prominence of the ancient Ashley-Cooper dynasty.
With the family's history for public service and a strong social conscience, Shaftesbury put his name forward as a candidate to become an elected Crossbench hereditary peer, on the death of the 4th Viscount Colville of Culross in April 2010 and the by-election in June which followed. The eventual victor was the 9th Earl of Clancarty
.
Ashley-Cooper succeeded his elder brother to the earldom. The 11th Earl died on 15 May 2005 of a heart attack in Manhattan, New York, while visiting his younger brother, Nicholas and older half-siblings Frederic and Cecilia.
in his youth, as his father did before him, leaving early, at age 16, to go to Canford School
near his home in Dorset.
He later attended Manchester University, graduating in 2001. The focus of his education included Economics and Social Policy.
In 2008, Shaftesbury graduated from the London Business School
, earning his Masters in Business Administration.
While maintaining his musical interests, Shaftesbury has also shown an interest in supporting charitable organisations, primarily those addressing the needs of children with disabilities.
, where he spent Christmas and New Year. While he experienced initial paralysis necessitating the use of a wheelchair, physical therapy has helped restore his health to the point where he is able to walk, with limitations. With continued rehabilitation, doctors expect a full recovery. Since the fall from his horse, Shaftesbury has continued to recuperate in London and at the Manor House in Wimborne St Giles. Determined to fully restore his health, he is signed up to walk for Wings For Life, which is a spinal cord research charity.
The Countess is the daughter of Dr Fritz Streifeneder and Argentinian-born Renata Leander-Streifeneder. Her mother is a physiotherapist, while her father is a retired orthopaedic surgeon, who is now involved in the family business, F. G. Streifeneder KG, based in Emmering
, outside of Munich. The company's focus includes the manufacturing and distribution of orthopaedic supplies, exporting worldwide to over 100 countries.
Professionally, the Countess of Shaftesbury is a veterinary surgeon. In 2005, she graduated from the University of Leipzig
and completed her dissertation in orthopaedic surgery/research in 2008 at the Vetsuisse Faculty in Zurich. , she is working as a small animal veterinarian. She has expressed an interest in supporting charitable organizations, primarily those involved in animal welfare. To this end, she is a patron of the Worldwide Veterinary Service, based out of Cranborne, Dorset
.
The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury have a son and heir, Anthony Francis Wolfgang Ashley-Cooper, Lord Ashley (born 24 January 2011).
is the home base and centre of business of the Ashley-Coopers. In addition to St Giles House, the family owns a large estate, including over 9000 acres (36.4 km²), along with property, land, and lough
s, that establishes them as one of the wealthiest families in the United Kingdom. The house possesses one of the finest private libraries in Great Britain.
The Ashleys and Ashley-Coopers have made Wimborne St Giles their home since the 15th century. The small village of Wimborne St Giles rests within the family estate itself. The Ashley family arrived in Dorset, originally from Wiltshire, where they owned the manor of Ashley, since the 11th century. The first ancestor to reside in Wimborne St Giles was Robert Ashley (born c. 1415), fifth great grandfather of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury.
Built in 1651, the family seat of St Giles House has fallen into disrepair and has been unoccupied for about 60 years. In 2001, St Giles House was recorded on the Register of Buildings at Risk, as a Grade I listed building, indicating neglect and decay. Buildings recorded on the Grade I list include those of "exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important". The 12th Earl's great grandfather, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 9th Earl of Shaftesbury
, was the last earl to live in the home.
While St Giles House is now largely unoccupied, apart from one wing used as the estate office, plans are in place to restore the estate and parkland to its former glory. Discussions regarding future use of St Giles House and the estate have been resumed following inheritance by the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Restoration will help secure the future of the house as a family home and as a venue for a wide range of activities including weddings and corporate events.
The parkland and estate is also available for various sporting events. The estate management allows commercial partridge and pheasant shoots, and can cater for days of between 150 and 250 birds. Fishing is also available along the River Allen, yielding a fine head of native brown trout. The available water on the estate stretches from Loverley Mill up to the Perennial Spring, which includes Crichel
, Bowerswaine, Brockington and Wimborne St Giles
.
, the estate, house and parkland is available for TV, film and photo shoots. Most recently, various interior and exterior shots of St Giles House have provided the background and setting for the Autumn/Winter 2010 catalogue for menswear brand, Favourbrook. The 12th Earl can be seen, along with model, David Annand, modeling the Favourbrook line in the shots taken on the estate.
Mainsail Haul
During World War II, St Giles House was requisitioned and used as a school. At that time, the family took up residence at the dower house
, known as Mainsail Haul and have lived there ever since. This Manor House is located near the centre of Wimborne St Giles.
In 2010, Shaftesbury's £11 million fortune established him as one of the top 20 young millionaires in the United Kingdom, according to the Sunday Times Rich List
. Shaftesbury's fortune listed him in 16th place, alongside singers Leona Lewis
, Charlotte Church
and Katherine Jenkins
.
London Marathon
On 13 April 2008, Shaftesbury completed his first major run with team member and friend, Rob Jenkins, in the London Marathon
. Set over a largely flat course around the River Thames
, the race begins at three separate points around Blackheath
and finishes in The Mall alongside St. James's Palace
.
Participation in the marathon served to benefit the charitable organisation, Phab Limited, which is a national charity working to promote and encourage disabled and non-disabled individuals live and work in an integrated and welcoming society. The 12th Earl trained with the goal to complete the 42.195 kilometres (26.2 mi) course in under four hours. He completed the race in three hours and 20 minutes and raised £8657.
4 Deserts Race: Sahara Desert
On 26 October 2008, Shaftesbury took part in his first endurance run with the 4 Deserts
, which is a series of four, six-day, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) self-supported footraces across some of the most unwelcoming deserts on Earth. These deserts include the Gobi
in China, the Atacama
in Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and Antarctica. Each race is 250 kilometers long with the final race being The Last Desert, held in Antarctica. To qualify for the last race, runners must have successfully completed two of the other three races. , he has completed the Sahara Desert race and the Atacama Desert in Chili, which was completed in March 2011.
The Sahara Race was a six-day, 250-kilometer footrace across the Sahara Desert of Egypt, which is the hottest desert on earth. The main obstacles faced include the relentless heat and soft sand dunes. Shaftesbury's goal included raising funds for AbleChildAfrica. He finished 31st in the race and raised £4000.90.
Racing the Planet: Namibia
On 17 May 2009, Shaftesbury participated in his second desert race, running across the country of Namibia
in the ultramarathon, Racing the Planet: Namibia
. The course is a seven-day, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) self-supported footrace that winds its way through huge sand dunes, deep canyons, mountain ranges and along the famous Skeleton Coast
.
Shaftesbury's goal was to raise financial support for ChildLink. The funds raised by the earl directly helped cover the college fees and vital education for poor and orphaned children of South India. He finished 24th and raised £6282.69.
Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
On 29 August 2009, Shaftesbury participated in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) TDS Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie mountain ultramarathon
, which is the most difficult foot race in Europe. The race takes place once a year in the Alps, across France, Italy and Switzerland. The distance is approximately 105 km, with a total elevation gain of around 6,700 m. He finished 29th in the race.
4 Deserts Race: Atacama Desert
In March 2011, the earl finished his second 4 Desert race in the Atacama Desert of Chili, considered the driest place on earth. The seven day, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) race began on 3 March and ended on 10 March. In honor of the completion of this race, Shaftesbury was the recipient of the Spirit Award, presented by 4 Desert and Racing the Planet officials. With completion of this race, he is qualified to participate in the final marathon, The Last Desert, to be held in Antarctica in November 2012.
Great Shaftesbury Run
In 2010, the 12th Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury began working together to develop a national charitable event, known as the Great Shaftesbury Run, held on the grounds of the historic Shaftesbury Estate. The inaugural run was launched on 12 June 2011. The run features two courses, a 10 km (6.2 mi) course and a half marathon (13.1 mi), in support of three charities, including Wings For Life, The Philip Green Memorial School, and the Victoria Education Centre and Sports College, Sparkle Appeal.
Before succeeding to the earldom, Ashley-Cooper established himself as a successful entrepreneur, having set up and run a music events company in New York. He is a founding member of the collective ROBOTS with DJ Dennis Rodgers and DJ Bill Patrick. He was in demand as a house DJ and music promoter in the techno music scene in New York, London, and at Privilege
in Ibiza, Spain
. He has been professionally stylized as nick ac. He formed the notable collective ROBOTS in 2004 with several other New York
DJs, establishing a weekly event at Club Deville. In the summer of 2006, he spent time in residency at Privilege Ibiza
.
Following his brother's death, Lord Shaftesbury relocated to the family seat at Wimborne St Giles, to assume the responsibilities of the earldom. He currently resides in both London and Wimborne St Giles with his wife and son.
, which is an interactive music software platform company. The company has launched a widget, designed specifically for use on social networking sites.
Shaftesbury has a solid grounding in business management and strategic design consultant. Prior to signing on with GoMix, he served as part of a team that raised over $5 million for Saatchi Online, which is an online forum and art gallery presenting the work of over 100,000 artists and receiving an estimated 73 million hits per day.
Prior to his work with Saatchi Online, he worked in Digital Strategy and Business Development with Terra Firma Capital Partners
, following their acquisition of British music company EMI Group Limited
. Terra Firma is perhaps best known, in recent years, for its widely publicized investment in EMI.
Shaftesbury's earlier work involved providing strategic analysis with Discovery Networks Europe
as a member of the strategy team for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The network offers "a portfolio of channels, led by Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, that are distributed in virtually every pay-television market in the world".
Earl of Shaftesbury
Earl of Shaftesbury is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1672 for Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Baron Ashley, a prominent politician in the Cabal then dominating the policies of King Charles II...
. The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury is the godson of Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster
Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster
Major-General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, , is the son of Robert George Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster, and his wife Hon. Viola Maud Lyttelton. He is the owner of property company Grosvenor Group...
; and Simon Elliot, husband of Annabel Shand, sister of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Shaftesbury's father, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury styled Lord Ashley between 1947 and 1961, and Earl of Shaftesbury from 1961 until his death, was a British peer from Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, located in South West England on the coast of the English Channel...
, had been murdered in November 2004 by the brother of his third wife, Jamila M'Barek
Jamila M'Barek
Jamila, Countess of Shaftesbury, Baroness Ashley of Wimborne St Giles and Baroness Cooper of Pawlett is the widow of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, and is imprisoned for having been an accomplice to the murder of her husband by her brother.-Background:Born circa 1961, she was one...
, but his body was not discovered until April 2005. A month later, on 15 May 2005, Shaftesbury's brother, Anthony, the 11th Earl, died of a heart attack and the peerage devolved upon Nicholas. Following his brother's death, Shaftesbury relocated to his family home from New York City and assumed the responsibilities of the earldom. He also holds the subsidiary titles Baron Ashley and Baron Cooper
Earl of Shaftesbury
Earl of Shaftesbury is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1672 for Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Baron Ashley, a prominent politician in the Cabal then dominating the policies of King Charles II...
.
On 11 September 2010, the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury was married to the former Dr. Dinah Streifeneder. Professionally, the new Countess of Shaftesbury is a veterinary surgeon. Together, the 12th Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury are committed to philanthropic pursuits, expressing interests in conservation, animal welfare, and working to assist children with disabilities. Since inheriting the titles and estate, Shaftesbury has embarked on an aggressive restoration project of the Shaftesbury Estate and St Giles House, determined to revitalise the shire and recapture the aristocratic prominence of the ancient Ashley-Cooper dynasty.
With the family's history for public service and a strong social conscience, Shaftesbury put his name forward as a candidate to become an elected Crossbench hereditary peer, on the death of the 4th Viscount Colville of Culross in April 2010 and the by-election in June which followed. The eventual victor was the 9th Earl of Clancarty
Nicholas Le Poer Trench, 9th Earl of Clancarty
Nicholas Le Poer Trench, 9th Earl of Clancarty, 8th Marquess of Heusden is an Irish peer, as well a nobleman in the Dutch nobility. He serves as an elected Crossbench member of the British House of Lords....
.
Personal background
Nicholas Ashley-Cooper was born on 3 June 1979, in London, the son of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 10th Earl of Shaftesbury and the Swedish-born, Christina Eva Montan (born c. 1940). Ashley-Cooper's elder brother was Anthony Nils Christian Ashley-Cooper. His mother was the daughter of Nils Montan, the former Swedish Ambassador to Germany. Lady Shaftesbury was also a divorcée with a son and daughter from her first marriage, the half siblings of the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Frederic Casella is a television producer and director in Great Britain, while his sister, Cecilia is an attorney living in New York City.Ashley-Cooper succeeded his elder brother to the earldom. The 11th Earl died on 15 May 2005 of a heart attack in Manhattan, New York, while visiting his younger brother, Nicholas and older half-siblings Frederic and Cecilia.
Educational background
Ashley-Cooper attended Eton CollegeEton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
in his youth, as his father did before him, leaving early, at age 16, to go to Canford School
Canford School
Canford School is a coeducational independent school for both day and boarding pupils, in the village of Canford Magna, near to the market town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset, in South West England. The school was founded in 1923. There are approximately 600 pupils at Canford, organised into houses...
near his home in Dorset.
He later attended Manchester University, graduating in 2001. The focus of his education included Economics and Social Policy.
In 2008, Shaftesbury graduated from the London Business School
London Business School
London Business School is an international business school and a constituent college of the federal University of London, located in central London, beside Regent's Park...
, earning his Masters in Business Administration.
While maintaining his musical interests, Shaftesbury has also shown an interest in supporting charitable organisations, primarily those addressing the needs of children with disabilities.
Horse riding accident
In December 2009, Lord Shaftesbury suffered serious spinal injuries in a riding accident, crushing several vertebrae in the fall. He was initially airlifted to hospital in Dorchester, but transferred to Southampton, where he had a metal plate and screws inserted, and then to the Salisbury District HospitalSalisbury District Hospital
Salisbury District Hospital is a hospital located in the city of Salisbury in Wiltshire, England.Previously Salisbury Hospitals comprised three units...
, where he spent Christmas and New Year. While he experienced initial paralysis necessitating the use of a wheelchair, physical therapy has helped restore his health to the point where he is able to walk, with limitations. With continued rehabilitation, doctors expect a full recovery. Since the fall from his horse, Shaftesbury has continued to recuperate in London and at the Manor House in Wimborne St Giles. Determined to fully restore his health, he is signed up to walk for Wings For Life, which is a spinal cord research charity.
Marriage
The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury was married on 11 September 2010 in Dorset to Dr Dinah Streifeneder. She was born 12 September 1980 in Munich, Germany, spending her early life in Rome, Italy.The Countess is the daughter of Dr Fritz Streifeneder and Argentinian-born Renata Leander-Streifeneder. Her mother is a physiotherapist, while her father is a retired orthopaedic surgeon, who is now involved in the family business, F. G. Streifeneder KG, based in Emmering
Emmering, Ebersberg
Emmering is a community in the Upper Bavarian district of Ebersberg. It is a member of the administrative community of Aßling.-Geography:Emmering lies in the Munich region...
, outside of Munich. The company's focus includes the manufacturing and distribution of orthopaedic supplies, exporting worldwide to over 100 countries.
Professionally, the Countess of Shaftesbury is a veterinary surgeon. In 2005, she graduated from the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
and completed her dissertation in orthopaedic surgery/research in 2008 at the Vetsuisse Faculty in Zurich. , she is working as a small animal veterinarian. She has expressed an interest in supporting charitable organizations, primarily those involved in animal welfare. To this end, she is a patron of the Worldwide Veterinary Service, based out of Cranborne, Dorset
Cranborne
Cranborne is a village in East Dorset, England. In 2001 the village had a population of 779 people. The town is situated on chalk downland called Cranborne Chase, part of a large expanse of chalk in southern England which includes the nearby Salisbury Plain and Dorset Downs.-History:The village...
.
The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury have a son and heir, Anthony Francis Wolfgang Ashley-Cooper, Lord Ashley (born 24 January 2011).
Shaftesbury Estates
Wimborne St Giles in East DorsetEast Dorset
East Dorset is a local government district in Dorset, England. Its council is based in Furzehill, near Wimborne Minster.The district was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of Wimborne Minster Urban District with part of the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Rural District and the Wimborne and Cranborne...
is the home base and centre of business of the Ashley-Coopers. In addition to St Giles House, the family owns a large estate, including over 9000 acres (36.4 km²), along with property, land, and lough
Lough
A lough is a body of water and is either:* A lake* A sea lough, which may be a fjord, estuary, bay, or sea inlet.It can also be used as a surname, with various pronunciations: law, loch, low, lowe, loth, loff....
s, that establishes them as one of the wealthiest families in the United Kingdom. The house possesses one of the finest private libraries in Great Britain.
The Ashleys and Ashley-Coopers have made Wimborne St Giles their home since the 15th century. The small village of Wimborne St Giles rests within the family estate itself. The Ashley family arrived in Dorset, originally from Wiltshire, where they owned the manor of Ashley, since the 11th century. The first ancestor to reside in Wimborne St Giles was Robert Ashley (born c. 1415), fifth great grandfather of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury.
Built in 1651, the family seat of St Giles House has fallen into disrepair and has been unoccupied for about 60 years. In 2001, St Giles House was recorded on the Register of Buildings at Risk, as a Grade I listed building, indicating neglect and decay. Buildings recorded on the Grade I list include those of "exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important". The 12th Earl's great grandfather, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 9th Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 9th Earl of Shaftesbury
Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 9th Earl of Shaftesbury, KP, PC, GCVO, CBE, was the son of Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 8th Earl of Shaftesbury and Lady Harriet Augusta Anna Seymourina Chichester , the daughter of George Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall and Lady Harriet Anne Butler.-Family life:On 15 July...
, was the last earl to live in the home.
While St Giles House is now largely unoccupied, apart from one wing used as the estate office, plans are in place to restore the estate and parkland to its former glory. Discussions regarding future use of St Giles House and the estate have been resumed following inheritance by the 12th Earl of Shaftesbury. Restoration will help secure the future of the house as a family home and as a venue for a wide range of activities including weddings and corporate events.
The parkland and estate is also available for various sporting events. The estate management allows commercial partridge and pheasant shoots, and can cater for days of between 150 and 250 birds. Fishing is also available along the River Allen, yielding a fine head of native brown trout. The available water on the estate stretches from Loverley Mill up to the Perennial Spring, which includes Crichel
Moor Crichel
Moor Crichel is a village and civil parish in East Dorset, England situated on Cranborne Chase five miles east of Blandford Forum. The village has a population of 181 ....
, Bowerswaine, Brockington and Wimborne St Giles
Wimborne St Giles
Wimborne St Giles is a village in east Dorset, England, situated on Cranborne Chase seven miles north of Wimborne Minster which is north of Poole. The village has a population of 366 ....
.
, the estate, house and parkland is available for TV, film and photo shoots. Most recently, various interior and exterior shots of St Giles House have provided the background and setting for the Autumn/Winter 2010 catalogue for menswear brand, Favourbrook. The 12th Earl can be seen, along with model, David Annand, modeling the Favourbrook line in the shots taken on the estate.
Mainsail Haul
During World War II, St Giles House was requisitioned and used as a school. At that time, the family took up residence at the dower house
Dower house
On an estate, a dower house is usually a moderately large house available for use by the widow of the estate-owner. The widow, often known as the "dowager" usually moves into the dower house from the larger family house on the death of her husband if the heir is married, and upon his marriage if he...
, known as Mainsail Haul and have lived there ever since. This Manor House is located near the centre of Wimborne St Giles.
In 2010, Shaftesbury's £11 million fortune established him as one of the top 20 young millionaires in the United Kingdom, according to the Sunday Times Rich List
Sunday Times Rich List
The Sunday Times Rich List is a list of the 1,000 wealthiest people or families in the United Kingdom, updated annually in April and published as a magazine supplement by British national Sunday newspaper The Sunday Times since 1989...
. Shaftesbury's fortune listed him in 16th place, alongside singers Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, Charlotte Church
Charlotte Church
Charlotte Maria Church is a Welsh singer-songwriter, actress and television presenter. She rose to fame in childhood as a classical singer before branching into pop music in 2005. By 2007, she had sold more than 10 million records worldwide including over 5 million in the United States...
and Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.-Early life and education:...
.
Philanthropic interests
While Ashley-Cooper was attending school during his youth, he was an accomplished cross country runner. While setting it aside during his adulthood, he eventually picked it up again during his late 20s, in response to his desire to "get into shape". To this end, he has competed in several marathons and cross country runs to benefit charitable organisations.London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
. Set over a largely flat course around the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, the race begins at three separate points around Blackheath
Blackheath, London
Blackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
and finishes in The Mall alongside St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
.
Participation in the marathon served to benefit the charitable organisation, Phab Limited, which is a national charity working to promote and encourage disabled and non-disabled individuals live and work in an integrated and welcoming society. The 12th Earl trained with the goal to complete the 42.195 kilometres (26.2 mi) course in under four hours. He completed the race in three hours and 20 minutes and raised £8657.
4 Deserts Race: Sahara Desert
On 26 October 2008, Shaftesbury took part in his first endurance run with the 4 Deserts
4 Deserts
The 4 Deserts is recognised as the world's leading endurance footrace series as named by TIME magazine in 2009 and 2010, and by others as the "Ultimate test of human endurance"...
, which is a series of four, six-day, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) self-supported footraces across some of the most unwelcoming deserts on Earth. These deserts include the Gobi
Gobi Desert
The Gobi is a large desert region in Asia. It covers parts of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia. The desert basins of the Gobi are bounded by the Altai Mountains and the grasslands and steppes of Mongolia on the north, by the Hexi Corridor and Tibetan Plateau to the...
in China, the Atacama
Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is a plateau in South America, covering a strip of land on the Pacific coast, west of the Andes mountains. It is, according to NASA, National Geographic and many other publications, the driest desert in the world...
in Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and Antarctica. Each race is 250 kilometers long with the final race being The Last Desert, held in Antarctica. To qualify for the last race, runners must have successfully completed two of the other three races. , he has completed the Sahara Desert race and the Atacama Desert in Chili, which was completed in March 2011.
The Sahara Race was a six-day, 250-kilometer footrace across the Sahara Desert of Egypt, which is the hottest desert on earth. The main obstacles faced include the relentless heat and soft sand dunes. Shaftesbury's goal included raising funds for AbleChildAfrica. He finished 31st in the race and raised £4000.90.
Racing the Planet: Namibia
On 17 May 2009, Shaftesbury participated in his second desert race, running across the country of Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
in the ultramarathon, Racing the Planet: Namibia
RacingThePlanet
RacingThePlanet is a privately held company that is one of the pioneers in the development of off-trail or rough-country endurance foot-racing...
. The course is a seven-day, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) self-supported footrace that winds its way through huge sand dunes, deep canyons, mountain ranges and along the famous Skeleton Coast
Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia and south of Angola from the Kunene River south to the Swakop River, although the name is sometimes used to describe the entire Namib Desert coast...
.
Shaftesbury's goal was to raise financial support for ChildLink. The funds raised by the earl directly helped cover the college fees and vital education for poor and orphaned children of South India. He finished 24th and raised £6282.69.
Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
On 29 August 2009, Shaftesbury participated in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) TDS Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie mountain ultramarathon
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
, which is the most difficult foot race in Europe. The race takes place once a year in the Alps, across France, Italy and Switzerland. The distance is approximately 105 km, with a total elevation gain of around 6,700 m. He finished 29th in the race.
4 Deserts Race: Atacama Desert
In March 2011, the earl finished his second 4 Desert race in the Atacama Desert of Chili, considered the driest place on earth. The seven day, 250 kilometres (155.3 mi) race began on 3 March and ended on 10 March. In honor of the completion of this race, Shaftesbury was the recipient of the Spirit Award, presented by 4 Desert and Racing the Planet officials. With completion of this race, he is qualified to participate in the final marathon, The Last Desert, to be held in Antarctica in November 2012.
Great Shaftesbury Run
In 2010, the 12th Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury began working together to develop a national charitable event, known as the Great Shaftesbury Run, held on the grounds of the historic Shaftesbury Estate. The inaugural run was launched on 12 June 2011. The run features two courses, a 10 km (6.2 mi) course and a half marathon (13.1 mi), in support of three charities, including Wings For Life, The Philip Green Memorial School, and the Victoria Education Centre and Sports College, Sparkle Appeal.
Music promotion
He first arrived in New York in his early twenties, where he helped to create the city’s thriving electronic music scene. He came over from Britain to manage a trendy club, Arcspace, which was notable for its lack of a drinks licence. Making a virtue out of necessary, he drew a crowd that was more interested in music and dancing than getting drunk and created a loyal fan base.Before succeeding to the earldom, Ashley-Cooper established himself as a successful entrepreneur, having set up and run a music events company in New York. He is a founding member of the collective ROBOTS with DJ Dennis Rodgers and DJ Bill Patrick. He was in demand as a house DJ and music promoter in the techno music scene in New York, London, and at Privilege
Privilege Ibiza
Privilege Ibiza is the "world's largest nightclub" according to the Guinness Book of Records, with a capacity of 10,000 people. It is located not far from San Rafael, Ibiza, less than 1 km from the nightclub Amnesia. For fourteen years, Privilege hosted Manumission, one of the island's most famous...
in Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
. He has been professionally stylized as nick ac. He formed the notable collective ROBOTS in 2004 with several other New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
DJs, establishing a weekly event at Club Deville. In the summer of 2006, he spent time in residency at Privilege Ibiza
Privilege Ibiza
Privilege Ibiza is the "world's largest nightclub" according to the Guinness Book of Records, with a capacity of 10,000 people. It is located not far from San Rafael, Ibiza, less than 1 km from the nightclub Amnesia. For fourteen years, Privilege hosted Manumission, one of the island's most famous...
.
Following his brother's death, Lord Shaftesbury relocated to the family seat at Wimborne St Giles, to assume the responsibilities of the earldom. He currently resides in both London and Wimborne St Giles with his wife and son.
Business administration
, Shaftesbury is employed as the Chief Operating Officer with GoMixU-MYX
U-MYX is a music format launched in 2004 which allows a user to arrange and create their own mix of songs by known music artists. The U-MYX Software is available on CDs and as digital downloads from U-MYX's own digital store. Digital U-MYX Sales are UK Chart eligible and count towards the...
, which is an interactive music software platform company. The company has launched a widget, designed specifically for use on social networking sites.
Shaftesbury has a solid grounding in business management and strategic design consultant. Prior to signing on with GoMix, he served as part of a team that raised over $5 million for Saatchi Online, which is an online forum and art gallery presenting the work of over 100,000 artists and receiving an estimated 73 million hits per day.
Prior to his work with Saatchi Online, he worked in Digital Strategy and Business Development with Terra Firma Capital Partners
Terra Firma Capital Partners
Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd is a leading U.K.-based private equity firm, best known for its failed investment in British music company EMI. Financier Guy Hands founded the firm in 2002 through the spin-off of Nomura Principal Finance Group...
, following their acquisition of British music company EMI Group Limited
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. Terra Firma is perhaps best known, in recent years, for its widely publicized investment in EMI.
Shaftesbury's earlier work involved providing strategic analysis with Discovery Networks Europe
Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications, Inc. is an American global media and entertainment company. The company started as a single channel in 1985, The Discovery Channel. Today, DCI has global operations offering 28 network entertainment brands on more than 100 channels in more than 180 countries in 39...
as a member of the strategy team for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The network offers "a portfolio of channels, led by Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, that are distributed in virtually every pay-television market in the world".
External links
- http://www.shaftesburyestates.com
- http://www.greatshaftesburyrun.com
- http://ablechildafrica.org/
- http://www.child-link.org.uk/
- http://www.phab.org.uk/
- http://www.wingsforlife.com
- Interview following the Atacama Desert Race