Locally-rooted and entrepreneur-led, with zero interest and ‘social’ repayment options – Kindred has created a flexible financing solution that’s strengthening dozens of social ventures.
Over-ambitious return expectations? Inspiration for the rest of the world? Too London-focused? As the UK’s social investment wholesaler marks its tenth anniversary, we canvassed a range of views on its successes and failures so far.
Listening to feedback and making tangible changes in response isn't easy, says UnLtd's David Bartram – but Big Society Capital's recent proposals will not drive the transformation needed to support purpose-led ventures.
Social Enterprise UK and Big Society Capital are among nine organisations promoting the Community Enterprise Growth Plan, a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to accelerate growth of social enterprise in underserved communities.
The Adebowale Commission was a timely challenge to UK social investors. But to provide more enterprise-centric finance we need answers to some important questions, says the Social Investment Forum chair.
PLUS: Willicroft targets new markets with €2m raise; UK’s CDFI lending jumps by a third in one year; appetite for impact investing rises; Lendahand crowdfunding platform shifts gear; and much more.
Big Society Capital must reconsider plans not to focus solely on social enterprises or provide core funding for a Black-led social investment fund, say Social Enterprise UK's CEO Peter Holbrook and chair Lord Victor Adebowale.
UK wholesaler commits to changes as it re-examines its role following the “extremely important if not always comfortable feedback” from the recent Adebowale Commission on Social Investment.
As Big Society Capital marks its 10-year anniversary, CEO Stephen Muers reveals key changes ahead – including addressing past failings on diversity and changing a target return rate that is now “out of step” with the organisation's mission.
