News and Views

  • Key Fund at 21: 'It's soul that drives us a social investor'

    How does a social investment intermediary outlive shifting political winds, a global financial crisis, and much more? Matt Smith, CEO of Sheffield-based Key Fund, reflects on two decades of taking risks and staying true to the mission.

  • UK social investment market jumps by a quarter to record £6.4bn

    Latest Big Society Capital research reveals £6.4bn was invested in social sector organisations by the end of 2020, as investments in social property funds boom and Covid-19 support schemes drive momentum.

  • UK State of Social Enterprise Survey reveals mental health is mission no. 1

    Social Enterprise UK's 2021 State of Social Enterprise Survey  finds that UK organisations are shifting priorities towards mental health, that exporting has become more frequent – and that 61% of enterprises expect their workforce to grow next year.

  • Nigel Huddleston appointment ends three-week wait for social enterprise minister in UK

    Mid Worcestershire MP fills vacancy left by former civil society minister Diana Barran in last month’s government reshuffle – taking on responsibility for charities and social enterprises alongside sport, tourism and heritage.

  • Impact Finance Bulletin: $14m refugee impact bond launches with IKEA Foundation backing

    PLUS: Access Foundation's flexible finance grantees; Irish government offers €1m for social enterprise awareness-raising; Key Fund reports £447m 'total impact'; Olio and Oddbox lure investors; Social Finance raises $50m; and more.

Bill Drayton Ashoka

Bill Drayton: Changemaking skills as vital as literacy

Making social innovation skills available to all would also help heal a fractured society, says Ashoka founder, as a new survey finds that 77% of social entrepreneurs are already collaborating widely – and many are 'activating' others to become changemakers.

Laura Joffre