LEADING British philanthropist Sir Peter Lampl has gone missing, Scotland Yard said last night.

Sir Peter, 61, is chairman of the Sutton Trust which provides educational opportunities for underprivileged children and funds the successful open access scheme at the Belvedere independent school for girls in Liverpool.

Scotland Yard said Sir Peter was last seen at 8.30am yesterday at his home in Wimbledon, south west London, and his family were “very concerned” for his safety.

Sir Peter made his fortune with private equity firm the Sutton Company before founding the Sutton Trust in 1997. He was given a knighthood in 2003.

The Metropolitan Police said Sir Peter was on long-term medication which he had not taken with him.

Detective Inspector Grahame Horwood, of Merton police’s missing persons unit, said: “Sir Peter’s disappearance is entirely out of character and his family are understandably very concerned for his safety.

“If anyone has seen him or knows where he is, please get in touch.”

Sir Peter is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, with fair/greying hair, blue eyes and a slight tan.

He was wearing a blue sweater and blue casual trousers when he was last seen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merton police on 020 8649 3122 or Missing People on 0500 700 70.

The Sutton Trust’s website says it “exists to challenge educational inequality and prevent the subsequent waste of talent”.

It goes on: “It is particularly concerned with breaking the link between educational opportunities and family background, and in realising a system in which talented young people are given the chance to prosper, regardless of their background, the school they happen to attend or the area in which they live.”

The trust’s pilot projects have included Independent State School Partnerships and are now a Government scheme, and university summer schools which are now state-funded at the majority of universities.