About the Institute

More and more people want to use their capital in a way that benefits society and the environment as well as generating a financial return. At the same time, there remain entrenched social challenges in the UK and around the world. The Impact Investing Institute is an independent, non-profit organisation which aims to make capital to work better for people. 

We have a wide, global network across financial services, social enterprises, businesses, government and regulators. In partnership with our dedicated volunteers, we work to get the message out and bring people together through information sharing, events, guidance, research, and specific partnerships and projects - all dedicated to addressing the barriers that prevent more money from having a positive impact on people and planet.

Currently the Institute is a not-for-profit company and will shortly be applying to become a registered charity with the Charities Commission. 

Examples of our current work include:

• A proposal for a ‘green+’ sovereign bond that would scale up the UK’s drive to a net-zero carbon economy with well-defined social and economic benefits. With partner organisations and significant backing from the financial services, we are engaging with the UK government during its green gilt design process, and also developing the proposal for international audiences.

• A campaign with the pensions industry to improve awareness of and competence in impact investing; 

• The development of educational materials on impact investing for the Institute's Learning Hub and investment professionals, and engagement with key industry bodies to develop new professional training and qualifications;

• A research and engagement programme on mobilising more investment for place-based impact; and

• Policy and advocacy work on impact investing in key regulatory forums in the UK and internationally, including a key focus on impact reporting.

More information on the Institute and our work programme can be found on our website: www.impactinvest.org.uk 

The role

We are looking to appoint two new non-executive Directors to add to the diversity of skills and experience on the Board. As a non-executive Director (and as a Trustee after the Institute registers with the Commission) you will play a key role in developing the forward strategy of the Institute and be responsible for directing the administration and management of the Institute, in line with the Articles of Association. The Institute’s Board of Directors is chaired by Dame Elizabeth Corley.

As with any company, the Directors must always act in the best interests of the Institute and must act as a group and not as individuals.

The broad duties of a non-Executive Director (Trustee) are to:  

• ensure that the Institute complies with its governing document (the Articles of Association), company law, charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations;

• ensure that the Institute pursues its objects as defined in its governing document;

• ensure the Institute applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects;

• contribute actively to the Board by giving firm strategic direction and support to the Institute, CEO and senior management team;

• setting the overall policy direction, theory of change, KPI’s, and evaluating performance against agreed targets;

• safeguard the good name and values of the Institue; and 

• ensure the financial stability of the Institute. 

In addition to the above duties, all Directors (Trustees) bring their professional skills, knowledge and experience to help the Board reach sound decisions and share a passion for advancing impact investing. 

In particular we are looking to appoint two new non-executive Directors to increase the experience on the Board in the following specific areas:

• growing start-up organisations and operations (in particular experience of setting up a BCorp, charity or social enterprise);

• experience of finance, audit and risk; and 

• experience of charity governance as a charity trustee.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to join our board. We seek to better represent the rich diversity of players and communities working in impact investing and welcome candidates that help us deliver a more inclusive organisation.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the direction and strategy of Impact Investing in the UK and overseas. 

Time commitment

Appointments will be for three years, with a possibility of renewal. Non-executive Directors (Trustees) are expected to attend all board meetings. Board meetings are held four times a year during normal office hours and are usually three hours duration. In addition, there are up to two additional board calls each year. 

• Papers are distributed around one week in advance of meetings

• There are sub-committees you may join (currently a Finance, Risk and Audit Committee FRAC) which meets twice a year

• Trustees can claim out of pocket expenses incurred in travelling to meetings

Person profile

All Directors / Trustees need to be able to demonstrate the following:

• a commitment to the mission of the Impact Investing Institute;

• a commitment to the Institute’s values of: inclusiveness, independence and integrity;

• ability to think strategically and contribute to shaping the Institute’s strategic vision;

• sound independent judgement;

• an ability to think creatively;

• ability to work effectively as a member of a team and actively contribute to board discussions;

• an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Director /  Trustee; and 

• ability to meet the time requirement.

Skills

The Board of Directors / Trustees collectively needs skills and experience in the following areas:

• financial management, income generation and enterprise;

• start-up operations; 

• public policy and public affairs;

• impact investing, social investing and wider ESG;

• national and local government;

• digital strategy, communications and marketing;

• people management;

• charity governance;

• funding/foundations; and 

• collaborative partnerships.

In light of our application to the Charities Commission we are particularly looking to increase our board experience in the following priority areas we have identified: 

• growing start-up organisations and operations (in particular experience of setting up a B Corp, charity or social enterprise);

• experience of managing finance, audit and risk; and 

• experience of charity governance as a charity trustee.

Impact Investing Institute’s values

We look for people who are committed to our values:

• Inclusiveness – the Institute is a welcoming place for practitioners, the public, volunteers and employees, which recognises and involves the voices of all involved in impact investment. It aims to have a diverse staff, Board and Advisory Council. It supports flexible working practices and, wherever possible, contracts for services from social enterprises. 

• Independence – the Institute pursues an independent path in all its work, focusing on what is most useful to advance impact investing nationally and internationally, without regard to any one sector in the market. All the Institute’s output is available to other practitioners and the public.

• Integrity – the Institute’s staff, volunteers, Board and Advisory Council conduct their work and professional relationships with integrity, kindness and respect.

 Our commitment to increasing diversity at the Institute

Diversity and inclusion are central tenets of our work of promoting best environmental, social and governance practice in organisations, and a core area where positive and negative impact can be delivered. As we seek to influence policy and advocate for positive impact, we recognise that to deliver on our project goals and amplify our voice within the industry we must lead by example.

The Institute has committed to undertake a number of actions by the end of 2021 and is actively seeking to increase the diversity of the board. We would therefore particularly welcome applications from:

• People from a black or ethnic minority background;

• Women;

• People with a disability; and 

• Younger people.

Our full statement on our commitment increasing diversity at the Institute can be found on our website.

Proposed interview date is 29th April 2021.