NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, June 22, 2017

An investment trust that will invest in improving the lives of those in poorer communities in emerging markets will launch on the London Stock Exchange in July opening up impact investing to more investors.

The Impact Investment Trust aims to raise up to $150m (£118.9m).

It will also become the second investment trust to list on the Social Stock Exchange alongside Ben Goldsmith’s Menhaden Capital.

Trust co-founder Thomas Venon hopes it opens up impact investing, which aims to deliver positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns, to retail investors.

Currently impact investing is focussed on private equity and private debt meaning it is only available to the wealthiest of private investors, such as family offices. This is despite demand for socially responsible investment products from the upcoming generation of investors.