Sir Tom Hunter, Scotland's richest man, is the latest distinguishedbusinessman to declare himself aphilanthropist on the scale of the great givers of history.

Sir Tom pledged this month to give £1bn to charities in the UK and Africa over the next 10 years. The move follows similar pledges to donate hundred millions of pounds by Lord Sainsbury, property magnate Vincent Tchenguiz, hedge fund investor Chris Hohn, investment banker Arpad Busson and Sir Richard Branson.