Social Investment and Finance programme

Developed in response to the needs of our members, the Social and Investment Finance (SIF) programme aims to improve investment readiness, as well as understanding of social investment and finance.

Fightback Britain - our report on the State of Social Enterprise Survey 2011 - revealed a real hunger for investment, as access to finance and cash flow problems still dominate the concerns of social enterprises as key barriers to start-up and sustainability.

The primary focus of the SIF programme is to improve investment readiness and understanding of social investment and finance within the social enterprise community. It will also explore the possibilities of working with social finance providers/intermediaries to improve the market infrastructure for social finance, and where possible, facilitate meaningful collaborations. Our programme of work is also driven by our responsibilities as the Office for Civil Society’s appointed lead in the strategic partnership for social finance in the sector.

Big Society Capital - world's first social investment bank

Big Society Capital, launched in April 2012, will be an important anchor within the UK’s growing social investment market and has the potential to direct capital to where it’s needed most – into frontline organisations and sustainable businesses making a positive difference in communities across Britain.

Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK, sits on the board of the Big Society Trust, in place to ensure that Big Society Capital remains true to its social mission.

Stakeholders explain the role of Big Society Capital, including its chair Sir Ronnie Cohen

Social Investment and Finance Executive Group

The Social Investment and Finance (SIF) Executive Group sits within our SIF programme in an advisory capacity, to facilitate and provide direction to the programme of work.

The SIF Executive Group is comprised of members from various backgrounds and experiences within the social finance and enterprise sector including, social financiers, practitioners and academics. The group aims to influence the social investment and finance agenda with an end goal to grow and strengthen the social finance sector, providing a collective, objective and strong voice for social enterprise and our members.

The group is currently chaired by Caroline Mason, COO for Big Society Capital, and meets on a quarterly basis four times a year.

For any queries about our programme of work on social finance and investment please contact Charlotte Chung: charlotte.chung@socialenterprise.org.uk

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