Leading voices from UK social enterprise, co-operatives and social investment have raised concerns over a “landmark” definition of the ‘impact economy’ that risks alienating a number of impactful organisations.
Impact Europe today revealed the name of its new chief: Angela Wiebeck, praised for “building bridges” between mainstream finance and impact over her two decades at UBS and Aquila Capital. She speaks to Pioneers Post from Brussels.
OPINION: There’s a message blowing across the Atlantic that the business of investment is to maximise return, and considering people and planet is woke nonsense. This argument is outdated, says GSG Impact chair Nick Hurd.
INTERVIEW: Putting a price tag on a company’s social and environmental impact is the only way to demonstrate its true profit and loss, believes Sir Ronald Cohen, who is now focusing on driving forward the next accounting revolution.
Izzy Obeng and Bayo Adelaja both created ventures that make it easier for diverse founders to grow a business. But social entrepreneurs of colour still face barriers, especially in accessing finance. Dr Yaz Osho explores what needs to change.
A £30m budget to tackle homelessness may sound tiny, but the social investment pilot is already leveraging millions more in investment. We unpick the details of a complex collection of funds – and find out what they hope to achieve.
Considering a new career path? The purpose-driven field is thriving, says recruitment consultant Sheena Pentin, and a commercial background is valued in many roles. Expert advice on making the leap – or just dipping a toe in.
PLUS: Africa's first social bonds; first Women's Livelihood Bond matures; $58m fund to help farmers adapt to climate change; Bridges sells majority stake in World of Books, and more – all the deals you need to know about this month.
OPINION: Social investors are way ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding the potential of private capital to ‘level up’ the UK. Sarah Forster argues that now is the time to scale by sharing their place-based lens with institutional investors.
The extreme pressure of running a social venture can hit hard: a quarter of business leaders surveyed recently said they'd had to take time off as a result. But what are the triggers – and how can social entrepreneurs avoid pushing themselves too far?
NEWS ANALYSIS: Long snubbed in an impact investing market obsessed with returns, ‘blended finance’ has now proven its worth. But securing its survival could be Access’s most important role in the second half of its lifetime.
Investors serious about long-term impact should do more to strengthen the social and environmental systems they rely on for their returns. How? Through catalytic investments, building the field – and sometimes, starting small.
The House of Lords has been exploring how public services can be bolder in ‘levelling up’ communities around the UK. Three experts told the Lords Public Sector Services Committee why 15% 'added value' isn't good enough.
