Bite-sized news from the impact economy: Australia’s social investment market reviewed, Social Enterprise Academy arrives in Egypt, UnLtd backs 12 new ventures. Plus, Nick Hurd joins Access foundation, and opportunities for social entrepreneurs.
The CEO of Big Society Capital, Cliff Prior, is to move on from the UK’s impact investment giant after four years at the helm. Prior will be taking up an international remit to lead the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment.
Six ambitious community partnerships will take part in a £33m experiment that aims to turn around their fortunes through a mix of grants, enterprise and investment.
Twelve of England’s most disadvantaged communities are competing for a chance for much-needed social investment, as part of the new Local Access fund. In Gainsborough, we find out why the stakes are so high.
A social investor urges the wholesaler’s board to take a more creative approach and make more use of its strong balance sheet if they want the organisation to fulfil its mandate.
Any part of the social investment market that isn’t helping charities and social enterprises to access the right finance needs a rethink, writes The Social Investment Business CEO, as he picks up on the debate on reshaping social finance.
Some claim Big Society Capital’s current form – and its implications on the cost of finance – is actually holding back social investment. But, while lending all its money cheaply may be tempting, it would be a serious mistake, writes CEO Cliff Prior.
In spite of all the hype around social investment, only a tiny proportion of the UK’s social enterprises and charities have made use of it. If things are going to change, Big Society Capital must rethink its role, says Eastside Primetimers' CEO.
Equity investment in UK social enterprises is rare. But a 100-year-old trust set up by a chocolate entrepreneur appears to have made a breakthrough that could be a model for others to follow.
