How can private lending be shaped efficiently and effectively to create an attractive investment proposition for LGPS pension funds while simultaneously achieving positive social impact for some of the most vulnerable individuals in society?
In this morning coffee discussion, Karen Shackleton, Chair and Founder of Pensions for Purpose, shared some of the findings from our latest market research on private lending for social purpose. This was followed by a fireside chat between Henrietta Podd, from Allia C&C, and Lars Hagelmann, from Big Issue Invest, where they discussed:
Who was this event open to?
This event was open to asset owners such as pension fund trustees, in-house executives and independent advisers, professional trustees and consultants.
Speaker biographies
Henrietta Podd, Director ‑ Debt Capital Markets, Allia C&C
Henrietta has worked in financial markets for many decades and, over the years, she has advised the public, private and not-for-profit sectors on using and managing risk in fixed income markets with a principal focus on funding social and economic infrastructure and its operators.
In 2019, she joined Allia C&C, a specialist fixed-income stockbroker controlled by Cambridge-based charity Allia. Part of their mission is to raise debt in mainstream capital markets to fund impactful projects and businesses. Much of her time is now dedicated to raising sustainable finance for residential care charities and specialist-supported housing.
Henrietta was formerly on the housing committee of the CoE Pension Fund. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments where she served for five years on their fixed-income committee.
Lars Hagelmann, Head of Investments, Big Issue Invest
Lars is Head of Investments at Big Issue Invest (BII) and joined BII in 2016. Lars has over 20 years’ experience in direct investment and investment management and has launched two funds at BII. Lars started his career in Berlin with BDO in corporate finance before moving to London to work for SISU Capital, sourcing and managing direct private equity investments. He spent six years in the Middle East in venture and private equity with a focus on education, healthcare and real estate.
Host
Karen Shackleton, Chair & Founder, Pensions for Purpose
Karen has worked in the finance sector for over 30 years. As well as being Founder of Pensions for Purpose, she is Chair of the Strategic Investment Board for the Ministry of Justice and a Non-executive Director and Chair of the Board of Resonance Ltd, a social impact investment company. She sits on the Advisory Council of the Impact Investing Institute.
Karen also provides independent investment advice to the London Boroughs of Islington, Camden and Hounslow through Apex Group. She was the Chief Executive/Managing Director of AllenbridgeEpic Investment Advisers from 2010 to 2013. Prior to that, she had ten years’ experience as a fund manager and director for County NatWest and BZW Investment Management (now BlackRock).
Pensions for Purpose
Pensions for Purpose exists as a bridge between asset managers, pension funds and their professional advisers, to encourage the flow of capital towards impact investment. Our aim is to empower pension funds to seek positive impact opportunities and mitigate negative impact risks.
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