Social impact

There is massive shortage of affordable housing in the UK and the characteristics of the asset class are ideal for institutional investors. Pension funds are attracted to the prospect of stable long-term income to match liabilities.

An estimated £2.2trn is currently invested in sustainable funds with a focus on climate. The Institute hopes to see over half of that invested in a fair and inclusive transition to net zero within the next five years.

The ‘E’ and the ‘S’ in ESG are intrinsically linked. But how we define, deliver and measure social impact? asks Shuen Chan, head of responsible investment and sustainability at LGIM Real Assets.

Perceived lack of investment products highlighted as the main barrier to social bond investing, according to a survey of more than 700 investment professionals.

Biju Mohandas, global co-head of healthcare investments at LeapFrog Investments, tell us that a “secular shift” in the attitude towards healthcare technology has taken place.

The Southeast Asia Women’s Economic Empowerment Fund, backed by Danish pension fund Pӕdagogernes Pension, has invested in Teky Alpha JSC to support childhood education in Vietnam.

A lack of data means policymakers are “flying blind”, as they seek to pave the way for better jobs in the circular economy of low-income countries, researchers say. 

The four investments to date have been made in funds and intermediaries targeting housing need and loans to charities and vulnerable people.  

We talk to scientist Susan Greenfield, founder of Neuro-Bio, about her breakthrough discovery in the search for a cure to Alzheimer’s, and the potentially huge social impact of investments in biotech.

The Dutch impact investment firm’s new fund has received backing from publicly-funded Invest-NL and development agency Oost NL, among other investors.