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We have economic development and social impact investment backgrounds, covering innovative policy, practice and research in every region of the world.
Our core team of directors, staff and experienced associates bring a high level of professional skill and practical experience to all assignments. Clients also benefit from our strong networks.
Sarah Forster
CEO & Founder
Sarah has over 20 years economic development, social impact investment and development finance experience, both internationally and in the UK.
Mark Hepworth
Founding Director, Research and Policy
Mark is a multidisciplinary economist with a varied academic, public policy and commercial background.
James Money-Kyrle
Associate Director
James is a commercially focused and qualified finance director with 15 years’ executive experience of leading private, public and social businesses and managing investment strategies.
BIO
After an early career at the BBC, James has over 15 years leadership of public listed and non-profit UK foundations, development agencies and environmental NGO’s, working to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes. Most recently (2009-2016), James was Finance Director at St John’s, one of the UK’s oldest endowment charities where he guided a major overhaul of the charities’ £100 million investment portfolio. This endowment fund consistently outperformed the RPI plus 4% benchmark, generating a total return (net of fees) of £60 million and contributing to a near doubling of the balance sheet over a 6 year period.
James is highly strategic, able to shape, innovate and bring new service and products to market. He has proven experience of implementing investment strategies, policy and the selection of investment managers. While at St John’s, alongside main market investment asset allocation and performance reporting, he launched the UK’s first placed based social investment fund providing affordable loans to charities and social enterprises in Bath.
James serves on the Board of Association of Charitable Foundations and the Charity Investors Group promoting best investment practice. He is a regular contributor to the financial sector press on charity investment and finance and is passionate about enabling commercial and social purpose businesses make a lasting impact from their people, investments and assets.
James has a B.Sc. from Bristol University, a Masters in Business Administration from London Business School and is a qualified Chartered management accountant.
Sam Waples
Head of Data Analytics
Sam is a specialist in geographic information science, including spatial analysis, data modelling and visualisation techniques.
Kathryn Jackson
Research and Operations Manager
Kathryn carries out research and manages our operational processes and digital communications.
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