MICHAEL MARX WINS DOUBLE AWARDS FOR HIS VALUED SERVICE: ELBA COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR / JACK PETCHEY LEADER OF THE YEAR

Michael Marx, Chief Executive of Development Securities, has been awarded East London Business Alliance's Community Volunteer of the Year. This prestigious award was presented by Dame Kelly Holmes at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf. Michael Marx was nominated for the award by the British Champion Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders (AEC).

Ascension Eagles members also voted Michael Marx to be their 2010 Jack Petchey Leader of the Year.
ELBA's CEO Liam Kane said, “In these difficult times ELBA has to make employee volunteering rewarding and easy to do. This year our member companies and their more than 7000 volunteers have gone the extra mile to support the community.”
ELBA Treasurer David Robinson said, “There are many fantastic corporate volunteers making a difference in our capital, but Michael Marx really stands out as going the extra mile.”
Michael Marx has been involved with Ascension Eagles for over six years. He started out by agreeing that Development Securities, through The Royals Business Park, would sponsor the AEC in the Lord Mayor's Show in 2003. This sponsorship has continued every year, and the Ascension Eagles are currently planning for the 2010 Lord Mayor’s Show.
Michael's involvement increased significantly in 2006, when it looked like AEC would not be able to accept the bid they had received to compete in the 2007 World Championships due to lack of funding. Mr. Marx made a personal contribution which transformed their prospects, and others followed his lead with match funding. Michael also played a key part in helping AEC to secure funding for the 2008 World Championships, where AEC were ranked 6th in the world, and best team outside North America.

AEC/LCA Co-ordinator Angela Brown said, “From an outreach project in London's East End to the top one per cent worldwide, AEC would not be where we are today without the unwavering support from Michael Marx and Development Securities.”
In addition to making an annual contribution from DevSec to AEC, Michael personally contacts others to encourage them to support the valuable work of AEC. Over the past three years, Michael's additional fundraising has resulted in £100K being raised for AEC, London Cheerleading Academy and other Ascension projects.
AEC Chairperson Kate Butchart said, “If Michael is passionate about something, he makes sure those around him are aware of how they may contribute as well. This has resulted is a variety of incredible spin-off opportunities, including financial literacy sessions, housing opportunities for young people, and photo and video shoots in Building 1000 of The Royals Business Park. One of the most appreciated additional investments came from Michael using his contacts to help develop Ascension's Garden Cafe outreach. Many vulnerable people are helped because of the professional and practical support Michael gives to community.”
Beyond the much-appreciated fundraising assistance, Michael also serves as a consultant to AEC, and in particular, to AEC Director Shara Brice. He provides vital development advice to help AEC grow and flourish.
AEC Director Shara Brice said, “We are constantly amazed that Michael makes AEC a priority in his very full life. He certainly has impacted our young people. One day, in a leadership session, we were reflecting on the saying, 'You must do well to do good.' One young person remarked, 'That sums up Michael Marx's life -- he has strived to do well, and from that success he does so much good for others. I would love to be like that when I grow up. The world needs more people like Michael Marx.'”

ELBA Community Service Award is in recognition of the tremendous investment Michael Marx has made in Ascension. However, his charitable work does not stop there. Michael is a Trustee Director of several charities, including the London Jewish Cultural Centre, the Separated Child Foundation and the Jonathan Levene Music Scholarship, as well as Chairman of Bushey Synagogue Building Committee.