Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust launches its inaugural UK Impact Report
The Report details the tangible social impact of the investments made, on behalf of its clients, since the launch of the Trust in late 2020.
Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust plc (“SBSI”) has today released its first annual Impact Report. The Report details the tangible social impact of the investments made, on behalf of its clients, since the launch of the Trust in late 2020.
Managed by Big Society Capital (“BSC”), SBSI connects charities and social enterprises to capital, enabling them to scale and produce widespread and demonstrable social benefit to communities most in need.
Jeremy Rogers, Portfolio Manager and Chief Investment Officer of Big Society Capital commented: ,
“This impact report shows investors the deep, tangible impact the 160 organisations reached through the portfolio are having, highlighting the great work they are doing to improve people’s lives throughout the UK. It also sets out our approach and learning on impact management, that we hope can help other investors seeking to deploy capital for both financial and impact returns.”
Susannah Nicklin, Chair of Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust plc, also commented:
“With this first impact report, we are proud to recognise the broad-based impact being achieved through this partnership between investors, funds and social organisations. By sharing our methods for impact investing and reflecting on what we are learning, we hope to provide transparency for our investors, and also help develop the market for social investment, leading to greater capital flows, effective impact measurement and positive social advances for communities across the UK.”
The benefits outlined by the Impact Report span the UK, this is in line with the Trust’s mission to create an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous society alongside financial returns for investors. To date, £87 million has been committed to 160 organisations addressing a range of social issues, from homelessness to alleviating fuel poverty. These have included Hull Women’s Network, a shelter for women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and West London Zone, an organisation that supports the personal development of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The investments across debt for social enterprises, high impact housing and social outcomes contracts, are reaching more than 160,000 people, of whom more than 90% are disadvantaged and vulnerable.
The report further estimates that SBSI’s investment in social organisations have provided savings of £55.6 million for the UK government and households. This has been achieved through social outcomes contracts and improving energy efficiency in homes.
The report features case studies from the Trust’s diversified portfolio, as well as an assessment of progress towards meeting the Trust’s impact targets. The Impact Report has been developed to illustrate best practice by providing examples of social impact that is successful, transparent, and proactive in achieving sustainable financial returns, alongside transformative positive benefits to society. The Trust previously reported annualised NAV total return of 6.9% since inception.
The full Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust Impact Report can be downloaded here.