The organisation’s annual City of London fundraising lunch took place on Friday at the Mansion House, with the Irish government’s minister for public expenditure and reform, Paschal Donohoe, delivering the keynote address to around 250 senior business executives.

The funds raised are to be donated to No Mind Left Behind (NMLB), an initiative developed by The Ireland Funds to provide financial support for younger people from DEIS schools in Ireland to complete third level education.

The grant is designed to help cover the costs of books, accommodation and other key expenses involved with going to university. The scholarship supports students for up to five years of undergraduate study, allowing a student to change course or repeat a year if required.

As a key supporter of the event, McCann FitzGerald has committed to funding a five-year scholarship for one of these students.

The firm also supports a number of other education initiatives as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy including Trinity College Dublin’s access programme, Dublin City University’s access to the workplace programme and the Breakthrough Project, an after-school scholarship programme for young people in Ringsend.

McCann FitzGerald managing partner Stephen Holst said: “Our partnership with The Ireland Funds supports our purpose as a responsible business to make a positive social impact in our communities and on our environment.

“Promoting more equal access to education is a cornerstone of our Responsible Business strategy and we are delighted to be able to support the important work of the ‘No Mind Left Behind’ programme this year.”

The Ireland Funds chair Bridget Walsh added: “The continued support of McCann FitzGerald as a key sponsor for the Ireland Funds and their generous donation this year to NMLB highlights their commitment to making a real difference in supporting equal opportunity in education.”