The Rt. Hon. Nick Hurd is appointed as new Chair, succeeding Sir Ronnie Cohen who will become non-executive President and continue to serve on the GSG’s Board

LONDON – The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG) is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rt. Hon. Nick Hurd as its new Chair, succeeding Sir Ronnie Cohen, who will become non-executive President and continue to serve on the GSG’s Board.

Sir Ronnie, who has previously been founder Chair of Bridges Fund Management and Big Society Capital, as well as a co-founder Director of Social Finance, will remain similarly involved in the GSG’s global efforts to catalyse impact investment and entrepreneurship to benefit people and the planet.

Nick Hurd’s active role in recent years as a GSG Global Ambassador for Policy will ensure a smooth transition into the Chair. He has visited and supported many of the GSG’s National Advisory Boards, most recently in Mexico and Israel. He also chairs the Impact Taskforce established during the UK’s presidency of the G7, a GSG initiative of which it is the Secretariat.

Nick Hurd brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Chair. During his 14-year tenure as a Member of the UK Parliament, he played a key role in establishing the UK as a world leader in impact investment. He served as a government minister for nine years, and was one of the longest-serving Ministers for Civil Society, where he led the government’s efforts to support the development of the impact investment market. This included setting up Big Society Capital as the first impact investment wholesaler and establishing the first social outcome funds to support social impact bonds. Since leaving politics in 2019, Nick Hurd has been the Chair of the Access Foundation for Social Investment and he also serves on the Advisory Council of the Impact Investing Institute.

Upon his appointment, Hurd said of his new role:

“I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at the GSG and to build on the great work done by Sir Ronald Cohen. In my capacity as Global Ambassador for Policy, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with many of the GSG’s national partners, and am excited to continue working with them and the wider GSG leadership team. With the support of CEO Cliff Prior and Sir Ronald in his new role as President, we will continue to work towards the core goals of mobilising capital, advancing impact transparency, and driving impact economies.”

Sir Ronald Cohen commented:

“As the GSG enters its next phase of growth and global impact, I am delighted to be stepping into the role of President as Nick Hurd takes on the role of Chair. I look forward to supporting his efforts and those of the GSG Board and team in achieving our mission to mobilise capital for good and drive the transition to impact economies that bring solutions to the great challenges we face.”

Cliff Prior, GSG CEO, also said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Nick Hurd as our new Chair. With his vast experience as an impact leader, demonstrated track record, and exceptional commitment to impact investing I am confident as he takes the helm as Sir Ronnie’s successor.”

GSG Trustee Ibukun Awosika, Founder of The Chair Centre Group (Nigeria), said of Hurd’s appointment:

“I am delighted that Nick Hurd will chair our Board of remarkable trustees from all over the world. Nick’s commitment to the GSG and impact investing is deep and sustained over many years, and he has served as a GSG Ambassador with distinction. From our work together at GSG and on the Impact Taskforce, I know his strong interest in the just transition and mobilising capital for positive impact, especially in emerging markets. I look forward to collaborating with him on this and many other important issues.”

ENDS//

 

Notes to editors

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About the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG)

The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG) is an independent group promoting sustainable development and advancing education in impact investment. The GSG was  established  in  2015  as  the  successor  to,  and  incorporating  the  work  of,  the  Social  Impact Investment  Taskforce  established  under  the  UK’s  presidency  of  the  G8.  The  GSG’s  National Advisory  Boards  (NABs)  currently  cover  36  countries, with Sri Lanka joining in 2023.  The  GSG  brings  together  leaders  from finance, business, philanthropy and governments to drive a shift towards impact economies. Follow the GSG on Twitter and LinkedIn.