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Key people at Social and Sustainable Capital.
Social and Sustainable Capital was founded in 2012 by Adam Knight (co-Founder and Board Member) and Benjamin Rick (CEO & Co-Founder).
Social and Sustainable Capital operates as a specialized social investment fund manager, providing flexible capital tailored for social sector organizations. The firm designs bespoke financial solutions that enable its partners to achieve both financial self-sufficiency and significant social impact through a transparent and partnership-driven approach, often leveraging frameworks like the Impact Management Project.
The company was launched in 2014, with Benjamin Rick identified as a co-founder and a pivotal figure in its establishment. The foundational insight behind SASC stemmed from recognizing the critical need for financial mechanisms specifically designed for the social sector, aiming to address societal challenges by empowering organizations with capital structured to their unique needs and impact objectives.
Social and Sustainable Capital serves a diverse clientele of social enterprises, charities, and other social purpose organizations throughout the United Kingdom. Its long-term vision is firmly centered on fostering enduring solutions to pressing societal issues and measurably improving the lives of disadvantaged individuals and communities by channeling investment into organizations capable of generating tangible positive change.
Key people at Social and Sustainable Capital.
Social and Sustainable Capital was founded in 2012 by Adam Knight (co-Founder and Board Member) and Benjamin Rick (CEO & Co-Founder).
Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC) is a London-based investment firm specializing in social impact finance, providing funding to social enterprises, charities, and social purpose organizations across the UK to deliver scalable solutions to social challenges.[1][2][3] Its mission centers on helping these organizations achieve financial self-sufficiency while maximizing social impact, managing £117 million in assets under management (AUM) across four funds, including the Community Investment Fund, Third Sector Investment Fund, and Social and Sustainable Housing Fund, with a portfolio of 32 organizations.[1][3]
SASC's investment philosophy emphasizes bespoke, flexible funding tailored to each organization's needs, using the Impact Management Project framework to drive enduring partnerships and transparent processes.[2][3] It focuses on key sectors like housing, community development, and third-sector support, fostering growth in the UK social enterprise ecosystem through over £50 million invested and accolades such as the 2019 NatWest SE100 Social Business award and Better Society Awards 'Best Asset Manager of the Year'.[1]
SASC was founded in 2012 (with its first fund launched in 2014) as one of the UK's pioneering social investment funds, evolving from a startup to a leading manager with £117 million AUM by 2020.[1][3][4] Key figures include Ben Rick, Managing Director, who has led its expansion, including board representation from investors like Better Society Capital since inception.[1] The firm has grown through strategic investments, such as Zamo Capital's 2020 infusion to scale its housing fund beyond £100 million, alongside backing from Santander, the Social Investment Business, University of Edinburgh, and foundations like Esmée Fairbairn and Garfield Weston.[1] This progression reflects a shift toward specialized funds addressing housing and community needs, cementing its role in social finance.[1]
While not a traditional tech investor, SASC rides the wave of impact investing and sustainable finance trends, channeling capital into social enterprises that leverage technology for scalable solutions in housing, community services, and deprivation alleviation across the UK.[1][3] Its timing aligns with rising demand for mission-aligned funding post-2012 social investment boom, amplified by regulatory support from the Financial Conduct Authority and growing ESG (environmental, social, governance) priorities among institutions.[1][5] Market forces like foundation philanthropy, bank commitments (e.g., Santander), and government-backed initiatives via Big Society Capital favor SASC, enabling it to influence the ecosystem by de-risking social ventures and proving financial viability alongside impact—evident in portfolio growth and awards.[1] This positions SASC as a bridge between finance and social good, indirectly boosting tech-enabled startups in edtech, healthtech, and proptech within the social sector.
SASC is poised to expand its AUM, particularly in housing and community funds, building on 2020's Zamo Capital boost toward £100+ million in specialized vehicles amid persistent UK social challenges like housing shortages and inequality.[1] Trends in blended finance, regulatory pushes for impact measurement, and tech integration (e.g., data-driven impact tracking) will shape its trajectory, potentially attracting more institutional capital.[2][3] Its influence may evolve by pioneering hybrid models that blend debt, growth, and opportunistic strategies, further solidifying its leadership in sustainable social investment and empowering more enterprises to scale transformative solutions.[1][4] This cements SASC's role as a cornerstone for finance that truly builds better societies.
