Better Society Capital’s Post

On behalf of the wider impact investing community, congratulations to all the newly elected Members of Parliament and to the incoming Labour government. This is a moment of profound potential. Government now has a unique opportunity: to harness the power of private capital in support of the common good, and to help deliver Labour’s Five Missions to build a fairer future. The UK faces significant challenges. We need to turn around entrenched inequality, remedy the scars of the pandemic, and build an energy system fit for a net zero future — and all within constrained public spending. #ImpactInvesting, and the wider #ImpactEconomy, offer practical help to address these challenges. Impact investors, such as pension funds, asset managers, and foundations, target positive societal outcomes. They allocate billions of pounds of capital towards solutions: from secure and affordable housing, to accessible clean energy, to businesses supporting better jobs. Our recommendation for harnessing these resources? Collaboration and commitment. There is a thriving impact economy in the UK that stands ready to tackle inequality and build world-class infrastructure fit for the future. To unlock its full potential, we need a commitment from the Labour government to work together: a national strategy around which to align and channel the capital, expertise and innovation of investors, businesses and philanthropists towards common goals. Ireland, France and Australia have national strategies for the impact economy, and the UK should have one too. At the Impact Investing Institute, we work to transform capital markets in support of a fairer, greener, and more resilient future. We come up with innovative solutions that help private finance address societal challenges, like preventative health, left-behind neighbourhoods, and a fair transition to net zero. And we work across financial services and beyond to help investors put impact at the heart of their investment decisions. We look forward to partnering with the new Government to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy for all.

"This is a moment of profound potential. Government now has a unique opportunity to harness the power of private capital in support of the common good..." Impact Investing Institute calls on the new Government to build a resilient and equitable #impacteconomy via a National Strategy for Impact Investing. Impact investors can support societal goals and help to alleviate pressure on strained public finances by scaling much-needed solutions to our most urgent sustainability challenges. #impactinvesting #impacteconomy #positiveimpact

We’re at a pivotal moment where the UK’s challenges demand fresh approaches. As Chair of the Impact Investing Institute, I was delighted today to join Rt Hon Darren Jones MP (Chief Secretary to HM Treasury), Lisa Nandy (Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport), and Varun Chandra (the PM’s business and investment advisor) to explore how government can harness impact investing to support its missions — unlocking innovation, enabling inclusive growth, and driving public service reform. It was powerful to see leadership from across government so committed to this agenda. Equally striking was the announcement of over half a billion pounds of impact investment to build tens of thousands of new homes. The opportunity for government is immense, and for two key reasons: 1️⃣ Inclusive economic growth requires inclusive capital — if growth is to reach all parts of the country, especially to underinvested places, it must be inclusive by design 2️⃣ Mission-driven government needs aligned actors, and that’s where the intentionality and measurement of impact investment becomes essential. It’s a mechanism for aligning private capital with the public interest. We discussed practical ways the government can leverage scale capital for public outcomes: 🫱🏼🫲🏽 financing underserved SMEs to fuel growth 🔋 supporting clean and community energy across the UK 🏡 financing solutions for preventative health and affordable housing The scale of opportunity? The #impacteconomy is already 5-10% of the UK economy, with impact investing growing 10% year on year, now a £77bn market. With the right government partnerships, risk-sharing, and championing, this could multiply significantly — resulting in a healthier economy, stronger communities, and better public services. You won't be surprised to hear me say that now is the time for action. At the Institute, we look forward to continuing this work with the government and our many partners, to turn immense potential into practical progress. #impactinvesting

In 2023, amid global crises and market headwinds, Baillie Gifford remained focused on supporting companies with novel solutions to persistent global challenges. In their seventh annual impact report for Positive Change, they highlight their unwavering commitment to a sustainable and equitable pathway. #GlobalChallenges #ImpactReport #PensionsforPurpose https://ow.ly/Hoqt50SUqfm

With the Prime Minister announcing an early UK general election in July, we're excited to highlight social impact investment as a vital tool for the future Government to address a range of social issues, from NHS waiting lists to youth unemployment. We will continue working with key decision-makers at the heart of Government to focus on the following priorities: 🌱 Spend smarter – allocate existing spend to projects that crowd in more social and private investment 💪 Put people at the heart of public services – shift to commissioning for outcomes so that the Government only pays for genuine positive and measurable change to people’s lives ✨ Integrate social impact investment across government – given its vital role in tackling complex issues, we hope to set up a cross-government strategy driven by a central team in the Cabinet Office or Treasury. Find out more in our video⬇️ #BetterBritain #SocialImpactInvestment

As the world evolves, so does the way we need to think about investing. For many Australian couples, this is a crucial time to reassess and realign financial strategies. Whether you're planning for retirement, helping your kids get ahead, or simply looking to enjoy life’s next chapter, it’s time to shift perspectives on investing. Why Now? The Australian economy is navigating significant changes—from shifts in the property market and superannuation regulations to the rise of new technologies and sustainable industries. Old strategies may no longer deliver the results you need for a secure future. 💡 A Fresh Perspective for Today’s World Here are some questions to help you think differently about your investments: • Is your portfolio diversified enough to manage risks in a volatile global market? • Are your superannuation contributions optimised for maximum growth and tax benefits? • How are you preparing for increasing costs of living and potential healthcare expenses? • Have you explored emerging investment opportunities like sustainable funds or tech innovations? 🌟 It’s About Security and Opportunity Investing isn’t just about growing your wealth—it’s about building resilience and securing the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard for. It’s also about positioning yourself to take advantage of opportunities unique to Australia’s dynamic economy. 🤝 Let’s Navigate This Together As a financial advisor, I’m here to help you cut through the noise and create a plan tailored to your goals. With the right guidance, you can approach the future with confidence and clarity. 📩 Ready to see things differently? Reach out for a chat or book a consultation. Let’s work together to make your early years—and beyond—your best years yet! #RIAdvice #RetireInvestCanberra #FinancialFreedom #InvestingInAustralia #50AndThriving #Couple #AustralianCouple #RetirementPlanning #SecureFuture

Dive into our newest edition, the world is changing. It needs to end its reliance on extractive energy, improve its digital connectivity and, following the Covid pandemic, create supply chains that are closer to home. Then there is building more houses and hospitals to serve growing populations. In the UK, the government is committed to upgrading Britain’s infrastructure, but not to funding it. For that they want to attract private capital and have defined contribution pension schemes in their sights. April’s cover story examines if institutional investors are interested in such assets and, if they are, what projects do they want to invest in. This edition also looks at bonds, China and innovations in healthcare. We also speak to the new chief investment officer of Lothian Pension Fund and the boss of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association. We hope you enjoy this edition. #UK #Infrastructure #PrivateCapital #InvestmentOpportunities

The new sustainable investment strategies for The People's Pension will enable its members to invest in businesses that are moving towards net zero while lowering the material risks associated with companies that fail to act. 🙌 You can find out more here 👉 https://bit.ly/4aitsc2

📣 Report calls on the Government to channel more institutional investment into scale-ups   A new report by the The Future Governance Forum (FGF), supported by BVCA and Boardwave, assessed the impact of barriers to UK scale-ups and has called on the Government to channel more institutional investment into fast-growing companies.   Published today, ‘Rebuilding the Nation 04: A Mountain to Scale’, explores how late-stage funding gaps, regional imbalances and a shortage of technological and leadership skills are holding back the UK’s scale-up potential. Although scale-ups make up just 1% of UK SMEs, the sector generates 22% of #SME turnover (£497 billion).   The BVCA’s Michael Moore emphasised that “the creation of pension ‘mega-funds’ creates the opportunity to significantly increase domestic investment into some of the UKs most ambitious firms, which will be good news for growing businesses and pension savers who will benefit from improved returns.”   Further calls on Government include: 📈 Channelling more institutional investment into scale-ups in all corners of the UK, via the pension ‘megafunds’ announced by the Chancellor last month and the new British Growth Partnership. 🏢 Extending existing enterprise investment schemes with a new Scale-Up Investment Scheme to support larger, faster-growing firms. 🏡 Building a ‘Scale-up Duty’ into regional Local Growth Plans, so Mayors and local leaders develop industrial policy in their areas with scale-up success in mind.   Read the full report here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZWGMzFU   #VC #Research  

Many pension funds are increasingly incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into their investment decisions. This reflects a growing emphasis on sustainability and responsible investing. #Gralix #LocalActuaries #FinancialFridays