Reference: 14118 New
CEO, Big Issue Invest, London, UK
We are working with Big Issue Invest who are looking to hire a CEO based in London to lead the team. Founded in 2005, Big Issue Invest offers social enterprises, charities and profit-with-purpose businesses loans and investment. This is a phenomenal role for someone truly passionate about the impact space who brings fund management experience.
About our client
Founded in 2005, BII extends The Big Issue's mission by financing the growth of sustainable social enterprises.
Big Issue Invest offers social enterprises, charities and profit-with-purpose businesses loans and investment from £20,000 to £3 million. Since 2005, the group has invested more than £90m in over 500 social enterprises and charities across the UK becoming one of the UK's leading social impact investors.
Their investment operations are comprised of a direct lending platform together with a number of FCA regulated funds operating under the BII Fund Management entity (BIIFM). Their direct lending business is designed to provide smaller loans, often on a blended finance basis to charities, social enterprises and a community-led housing facility. Their funds offer a range of investment and impact strategies, two of which remain open for investment; their Growth Impact Fund, focused on diversity in enterprise, and their social debt fund investing in social housing, social care and social infrastructure. Their investment activity is backed by an award-winning impact team which also supports other Big Issue Group mission-focused services.
What the job involves
As CEO you will work with various stakeholders including the Big Issue Invest (BII) and Big Issue Group (BIG) Boards to develop and execute on BII's overarching strategy of delivering meaningful investment into social enterprises which have impactful social purpose.
The role requires an outgoing, energetic and entrepreneurial commercial leader, driving innovation and financial sustainability whilst at all times observing the mission of BIG. The CEO reports jointly to the Chairman of the BII board and the BIG CEO.
The main BII office is in Finsbury Park in London, co-located with various other parts of BIG. This is a full-time role and the CEO is expected to be physically present in the office for most of the time; however, hybrid working is not unusual. A reasonable amount of travel around the UK is an intrinsic part of the job; visiting investee organisations, networking, fundraising and generally representing BII as an ambassador of BIG.
Responsibilities are not limited to, but include:
- Working with stakeholders, define and execute the BII strategy in line with BIG mission.
- Manage the product portfolio and BII P&L in line with desired commercial and impact outcomes, at all times driving financial sustainability to fund future innovation and create operational resilience.
- Take the lead on innovative investment product development in line with sector needs.
- Drive fundraising activity from both commercial investors and central/local government and related agencies identifying and securing investment into the business and its investment vehicles.
- Be a member of: the BII and BIIFM boards; the BIIFM investment committee; the BII Lending Committee; the BIG Senior Leadership Team.
Who we are looking for
- You have a demonstrable proven track record in the management and growth of a fund and have extensive experience in direct investment.
- You can demonstrate an understanding of the drivers behind the social finance sector and social impact investment.
- You can raise investment finance from a diverse range of investors for use by a variety of investment vehicles.
- You are strong on strategy and can demonstrate that you have led a business (not necessarily as CEO) through a period of growth and product development.
- You can demonstrate an ability to deliver outcomes to a variety of stakeholders in line with expectations, strategic goals and wider brand values.
- You can be a leader and ambassador for BIG and the whole social investment sector.
- You believe in The Big Issue and support their social objectives.
- You are a self-starter who makes timely, appropriate and rigorous decisions.
