Three women took the lead in starting a new trade association for community finance. "None of our male colleagues felt in a position to take that risk", recalls Niamh Goggin. Dial forward 20 years and the sector's leaders are male, pale and privileged.
Community energy schemes raise over £12m before tax reliefs are taken away in the UK, the European Social Enterprise Law Association launched in Madrid and Warren Buffett’s grandson puts his money into responsible investments.
It is hard to encourage newcomers into the field of impact investment when there is so little information about the gains (or losses) that can be made – both financial and social. The KL Felicitas Foundation is working to address this.
CEO of disruptive asset management firm Alquity and co-founder of One Water Paul Robinson explains why responsible investing and investing in the people at the bottom of the pyramid makes business sense.
In honour of International Women's Day, Kat Miller from London-based responsible investor Alquity finds out how microfinance is giving women in parts of Africa a voice, increased self-esteem and respect. First stop: a busy bar in Malawi.
