The Michael Sieff Foundation
The Michael Sieff Foundation
Lady Elizabeth established The Michael Sieff Foundation in 1987 to continue the values and interests associated with Michael Sieff's life and work. The Foundation seeks to influence policy and professional practice, rather than duplicate direct services, so that children are understood as individuals with needs, vulnerabilities and potential.
"Things are not important, people are."
Michael Sieff, CBERemembering Michael Sieff
The man the Foundation is named for
Michael Sieff, Lady Elizabeth's husband and the father of her two children, was a grandson of the founder of Marks & Spencer, where he served for 49 years, rising to vice chairman and managing director. Made an honorary colonel after the war and appointed CBE, he promoted British exports so effectively that he became known as "the Match Maker." At the request of The Queen Mother, he began a series of conferences at Cumberland Lodge, in Windsor Great Park, to ease conflict in industry. He was guided by a simple belief: people come first.
How it began
Lady Elizabeth's journey
On the school run through Windsor Great Park, Lady Elizabeth heard a radio report about the death of four year old Jasmine Beckford, who died in 1984 after suffering abuse while under the care of local social services.
The inquiry that followed, A Child in Trust, exposed how the agencies responsible for protecting her had failed to communicate and work together.
Profoundly moved by the tragedy, Lady Elizabeth turned the car around and went to Cumberland Lodge. There, she launched the first Working Together conferences, bringing professionals and organisations together to confront the dangers created when agencies work in isolation.
This became the inspiration for the charity that followed.
The following year, Lady Elizabeth's husband, Michael Sieff, died. In 1987, she founded The Michael Sieff Foundation in his name, carrying forward the belief first shaped at Cumberland Lodge that a child's safety depends on professionals communicating and working together rather than acting in isolation.
Among the Foundation's earliest contributions was helping to finalise the Children Act 1989.
Only by working together can real and lasting change be achieved for children.
The project closest to her heart was A Second Chance: day release for young offenders to ride and study horses at the Northern Racing College, an acclaimed National Grid film on training and employment, a Manchester United visit to a young offenders' institution, and a register of employers, including approaches to the armed forces, prepared to offer young people leaving prison an interview and a fresh start.
A timeline of impact
The Michael Sieff Foundation established
Founded in Michael Sieff's name as a registered charity dedicated to improving policy and practice for the well-being of children and young people.
Helping to finalise the Children Act 1989
One of the charity's earliest contributions to child-protection law.
Parliamentary Inquiry into the Youth Court launched
Convened with the National Children's Bureau to examine whether the youth court was meeting its objectives.
The Carlile Inquiry Report published
Setting out recommendations for the operation and effectiveness of the youth court, championed by the Foundation ever since.
Thirty-year celebration
"Thirty Years Plus, 1986 to 2017", marked at the Reform Club, London.
SEND action plan & FDAC support revived
Work on Education, Health and Care Plans, and renewed support for the Family Drug and Alcohol Court.
Justice for children with SEND & neurodivergence
The working group's final report launched at the House of Commons on 23 April 2025.