Sonia Bainbridge

HETI RIPORT #UK #impact_investments Impact investments managed in the UK reached £76.8bn at the end of 2023, a 33.3% increase on 2020 figures, according to a study published yesterday by the Impact Investing Institute. The report, entitled The UK impact investing market – Size, scope and potential, was produced through a market survey and engagement with more than 100 stakeholders, estimates the amount of direct impact investments for which the majority of investment management activities occurs from the UK (the capital managed may be invested outside of the UK). It shows an increase of £19.2bn compared with the end of 2020, when the first iteration of the report estimated the size of the market at £57.6bn.

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I was fascinated to read about the top UK impact investors in Financial Times’ list of 100+ impact investors, published in collaboration with The Global Impact Investing Network. I was however sad to see we had not been recognised for our pioneering work over the past decade in this space. With 530 million USD of assets under management on behalf of pension funds, families and other institutions, Milltrust International LLP, a UK FCA authorised firm, created, launched and sold the British Innovation Fund of UK University spinouts to LPPI in 2022. Between 2016 and 2021, we became the largest UK investor in sustainable agriculture, selling the portfolio at the height of COVID after a 21 percent increase in Aussie land prices in 2021 to a major international pension fund. Since 2012, we have managed a sustainable portfolio of equities from across the developing world backing companies driving the ESG agenda with remarkable outcomes and returns for investors. In 2020, we were selected by WWF as the first ever equity manager to run a decarbonisation focused fund, investing across Asia, called Climate Impact Asia which devotes much of its fee income to supporting conservation and biodiversity across the region. Today, our “One Health” portfolio represents a collection of ground breaking science and tech innovation in the realms of human health, food chain innovation, and planetary responsibility. In a tradition of over 80 investments over the past decade, with only one failed investment, where the IP went back to the University, we expect to see a number of new unicorns emerge from this early stage commitment to innovation, in a space where few British firms will offer support. https://lnkd.in/echZ759m

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Progress on the UN’s 17 SDGs is lagging. With the target date of 2030 looming, less than a fifth of the goals are on track. With much vital work still to be done, this could give fund managers an opportunity to address these critical gaps and accelerate progress. https://ow.ly/9lH730sGw4a Mario Eisenegger, ESG Bond Manager, outlines the role that bond investors can play to generate positive outcomes for both people and planet. #MandGInvestments #ESG #bonds

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Join our webcast with chief strategist Luca Paolini on Tuesday 3rd December for our return forecasts for the next 12 months across asset classes as well as the implications of Trumponomics for markets. We'll also cover: -Why the UK could be the growth wildcard and outperform its European counterparts -Why we expect a modest recovery in the Euro-area economy next year -How conditions are becoming supportive for risk assets globally Register here: https://lnkd.in/dujXsWY9

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What is #impactinvestment really achieving? In a world full of ESG reporting and disclosure fatigue, we need to remember why we are integrating social and environmental impact. It requires resilience and a collaborative approach. This asset owner discussion will be focused on what is actually being done by investors, what they are achieving, the tangible outcomes and what peers can learn. Please join Pensions for Purpose, PGGM Investments and The Good Economy on 26 June by registering using the link below or contacting [email protected] #assetowners #pensionfunds #impactreporting #impactaction George Graham Lloyd Whitworth Silvia Knott-Martin Jeff Houston Joanne Donnelly Alistair P. Alex Jones Debbie Fielder Tegolin Harding Sophia Harrison Laasya Shekaran Naomi L'Estrange Michelle Darracott Marc Barnett, FIA James Lawrence, CFA Kim Nash Helen Dean CBE Laura Chappell Becky LeAnstey Marion Maloney Jennifer Devine Mark Gayler Jo Sharples Hill Gaston Jordan Griffiths, CFA James Giles

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In our latest Rosa Roubini Associates podcast Manas C. and I discuss how major #centralbanks are at a turning point, and its implication for global #markets. Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/edDxiA4i

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What themes are driving global equity markets? In this week’s Perspectives David Jane considers the question of whether regional asset allocation works using three examples. For investment professionals only. Capital at risk. #multiasset #globalequities #thematicinvesting

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“Embracing a globalised approach has fundamentally reshaped my perspective on corporate finance. Borders blur, markets intertwine, and opportunities expand across continents. In this interconnected world, the Miracles of Capital (MOC) course has become a key platform for me in disseminating essential knowledge and skills, enabling entrepreneurs to learn the art of navigating the complexities of global finance. MOC encourages engagement with real-world scenarios and critical thinking, focusing on cross-border investments, international regulations, and the intricate flow of capital. A crucial component of the MOC experience is the vast, global network of alumni - leaders in financial institutions, corporations, and entrepreneurial ventures. This alumni network is an invaluable resource, providing access to a wealth of insights, experiences, and opportunities. Through these connections, I can identify bankable companies with strong financial health, growth potential, and innovative edges, a strategic positioning in ‘unicorn farming’ for successful exits on global stock exchanges. In investment, access to deal flow - the steady stream of financial transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, and investment opportunities - is paramount. Those who control deal flow wield significant influence, acting as gatekeepers in deciding which companies receive funding and which ventures succeed. Controlling deal flow means holding the keys to success, particularly for companies aiming to go public (IPO). It’s a critical factor in gaining an edge in the competitive finance landscape. The MOC course not only strive to deepen the entrepreneurs’ understanding of corporate finance - from valuation models and risk management to capital structuring - but also emphasises the importance of building relationships and leveraging networks. In today’s globalised world, success in finance is as much about people and connections as it is about balance sheets. Controlling deal flow provides access to capital and opportunities, positioning one at the heart of financial decision-making. At times, the global scope of what I am trying to achieve is akin to ‘reaching for the stars’, means striving for significant, ambitious goals that sometimes seem almost unattainable. It’s about pushing beyond my perceived limits, aiming for objectives that challenge me and compel growth. Even if I don’t reach the stars, the journey itself is transformative. It reminds me to keep dreaming big, knowing that the pursuit of ‘unicorn farming’ brings its own rewards...” https://lnkd.in/gPQ7bpmn

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Next Thursday City Alliance is hosting its London IFA EIS & SEIS Investments Roadshow at The View in County Hall, London. We have a great line-up of our suite of 5 Boutique Investment Managers – Symvan Capital, Sustainable Ventures, EverQuest Capital Partners, VGC Partners and Leela Capital, who alongside giving an intro to their products, we’ll also be discussing thoughts on anticipated impact from the upcoming budget with regards to tax planning and how it impacts each of their respective sectors. There is still space available for any advisers wanting to attend. When: Thursday 3rd October, 15.00-17.00. There will also be some networking and drinks from17.00-19.00. If you can't make the event, but would like to come and meet with us over a drink, you are welcome to do so. So whether you are already an existing supporter of tax-efficient investments; are interested in finding out more about how they could benefit your clients with Income Tax / CGT or IHT liabilities; or perhaps you have sector specific interests, this will be a good chance to network with your peers and gain sector insights, so please do reach out if you'd like to attend. #EIS #SEIS #taxefficientinvestments #IFA #networking

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This month, I appeared on the FT Advisor podcast speaking with Simoney Kyriakou at the Financial Times about the growth of Independent Investment Management Initiative and what this means for the outlook for specialist asset managers. We touched on regulation, DE&I, innovation and the opportunities for the most entrepreneurial firms and the most active, active asset managers in our sector. What a pleasure, thank you Simoney Kyriakou. #boutiques #assetmanagement #growth

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Don’t be in a hurry to exit; seek a balance. Exits of impact investments must coincide with achievement of sustained impact outcomes.

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Please join me tomorrow at 17:10 at Carbon Forward London to discuss developments in CORSIA and IMO. I will be joined by Michael Evans (British Airways) Ellen Lourie (IETA) & Edwin Pang (Arcsilea) in a conversation aiming to aggregate different perspectives on the topic moderated by Rebecca Gualandi (Carbon Pulse). Carbon Forward #carbonforward #CORSIA #Carbonmarkets

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How robust is a company’s climate transition plan? This is what S&P Global Rating’s new Climate Transition Assessment is analysing. Check this first and newly released report.

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Our latest research revealed that 1 in 4 Generation X consumers in the UK have no savings or investments at all. Sandwiched between #Boomers and #Millennials, Gen X rarely gets the spotlight. However, our survey saw #GenX emerge as the generation struggling the most with their finances in the UK. How are they coping? And what solutions can the #fintech sector provide? Find out more here: http://spr.ly/6046U2Bya

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An excellent course with INSEAD Executive Education to support professional development.

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One of the most humbling, and yet exciting things in innovation is learning that a simpler, less expensive approach can both reduce cost AND improve performance. “In a paper published today in Nature, researchers from the University of Oxford, along with collaborators from the Universities of Muenster, Heidelberg, and Ghent, report on their new findings that replacing lasers with less complex light sources can surprisingly boost performance in some optical applications, such as light-driven AI technologies. This discovery opens the way for cheaper, and less energy-intensive light sources to be used in applications that have typically relied on expensive, high-spec lasers.”

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Please join chief strategist Luca Paolini, Arun Sai, senior multi asset strategist and me on Wednesday 12 June at 10:00 BST/11:00 CEST/17:00 HKT to hear our predictions on asset class returns over the next 5 years, the significant risks and the opportunities on the horizon. Not sure you can make it? Register and we will send you the replay soon after. https://lnkd.in/eWwDEAwN #secularoutlook #multiasset #investmentoutlook

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