Social Finance. We are here for good.
Once, the idea of using finance as a force for social good seemed radical says Social Finance’s Chief Executive Caroline Gadd.
In 2010, Social Finance launched the world’s first Social Impact Bond (SIB) in Peterborough. It was a simple but bold proposition – what if investment could fund services that prevented harm, and government only paid when outcomes improved?
That experiment worked. Reoffending rates went down, lives improved, and a new path opened.
What we stand for
At the heart of our story is a set of principles that guide our work:
Impact at Scale: We don’t chase quick wins. We build long-term, sustainable programmes with partners to create measurable and equitable change.
Equity and Inclusion: We believe social change must close gaps, not widen them. That’s why we co-produce innovative funding solutions through our partnerships and enable places, communities and people to thrive.
Innovation and Learning: We embrace creativity and evidence in equal measure, using data, digital tools, and human-centred design to pioneer new models for social change.
People and Purpose: We know change is driven by people. We invest in brilliant, diverse changemakers and create a culture where they can thrive.
Where we focus
Our work connects across the areas where lives intersect:
Children and Young People: reshaping care systems so resources go further and enabling insights and interventions to keep children safely at home
Health and Social Care: from outcomes-based health investment models to partnerships with the NHS that use data to improve patient care.
Employment and Skills: scaling programmes like IPS Grow and Connect to Work, enabling people to find fair, high-quality work.
Housing and Homelessness: creating funds and models that address homelessness, domestic violence, and access to affordable housing.
Our Expertise
We bring together skills that help partners design, fund, and scale change:
- Outcomes-based finance and contract design
- Impact measurement and evaluation
- Data integration and governance
- Cross-sector and community partnership building
- Investment and fund development
- Programme and performance management
Our Future Story
The next chapter of Social Finance builds on our heritage while looking forward with clarity, equity, innovation, and shared purpose. We aim to be the trusted partner of choice for social impact investment and delivery. We will enable partners to mobilise finance for systemic change and scale solutions that improve lives. Our people focus will attract brilliant change makers to the sector, who will lead with courage, curiosity, empathy and a pioneering spirit.
At Social Finance, we believe change happens when purpose meets innovation. With our partners, we will continue to transform systems and deliver lasting outcomes for people and community.