Mark Weingard

Mark Andrew Weingard (born 1966) is a British entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of Iniala Luxury Hotels, Annika Linden Centre and Inspirasia Foundation|Inspirasia Foundation.
== Early life ==
Born in Manchester, Weingard's father, a taxi driver, died in a car crash when he was ten years old. He started out at Drexel Burnham Lambert at a young age at the time when this investment bank was forced into bankruptcy in 1990. He landed a job at Chemical Bank (now JPMorgan Chase|JPMorganChase) and become a successful trader. He started an online travel guide 'TravelMine' but it failed during the dot.com Internet bubble collapse. He went on to set up 'Switchfix' an electronic trading platform for interest rates and foreign exchange which later changed its name to 'Reset'. He sold this to interdealer broker ICAP (company)|ICAP.
== Career ==
=== Philanthropy ===
The loss of his girlfriend in the 2002 Bali bombings|Bali Bombings of 2002 inspired him to start the Annika Linden Foundation, to help children of the bombing victims. The Annika Linden Cente in Bali was set up as a non profit social entrepreneurship and philanthropy centre to help train volunteers and social workers. Deciding to focus on sustainable projects with a strong emphasis on philanthropy the foundation changed its name to Inspirasia Foundation, a charity supported by a percentage of Weingard's company’s revenue. 
The Malta Social Impact Awards is an annual initiative run by Inspirasia Foundation|Inspirasia, together with the Gasan Foundation. MSIA brings businesses and philanthropists together to support local initiatives that have a positive social impact in Malta. The 'Academy of Givers' was set up to provide a platform for like-minded individuals and businesses wishing to do good in society.
In 2020 during the Covid Pandemic restrictions, Weingard set up 'Malta Together', a platform where individuals and businesses could connect with community initiatives to offer support or collaboration during challenging times. The 'Malta Together Concert' took place online on the 3 May 2020 with the aim of showing gratitude to front liners and healthcare workers whilst offering entertainment to people at home. Musicians such as Ira Losco and tenor Joseph Calleja among others, helped this initiative raise money for various voluntary organisations. The event featured messages from famous Football personalities such as Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Jamie Carragher and Javier Zanetti.
=== Hospitality ===
In Thailand, Weingard founded Iniala Beach House, a luxurious hotel with a percentage of its revenue going to fund the Annika Linden Foundation. In Malta, Iniala Harbour House in St. Barbara Bastions, Valletta opened its doors in 2020. Its roof-top restaurant Ion gained its first Michelin star within less than six months of opening. Keeping to Iniala tradition, revenue from the Harbour House goes toward philanthropic organisations.
== Business ==
Weingard holds various business investments in different countries with much of his focus moving into his operations in Malta where he resides.
Category:People from Manchester
Category:1966 births
Category:Philanthropists from Greater Manchester
Category:British businesspeople