SIS Ventures board appointed
SIS has established a new board to oversee the activities of SIS Ventures. Ventures will provide the tools and mission-aligned investment required to help early stage businesses and social enterprises grow and deliver social impact at scale.
Veteran Scottish investor Bill Crossan has been appointed Chair of the new company along as part of an experienced Board comprising a mix of impact investors, traditional investment managers who understand the market opportunity, and individuals who are compelled to drive positive impact. Subject to FCA approval, board members will include:
- Bill Crossan, Founder, Growth Capital Partners
- Susan Aktemel, Director, Homes for Good
- Alastair Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Social Investment Scotland
- Thomas Gillan, Chief Officer, Finance & Strategy, Social Investment Scotland
- Morag McNeill, Court member, Heriot Watt University & SIS board member
- David Ovens, Chief Operating Officer, Archangels
- Mike Wooderson, experienced investment professional
- Amanda Young, Head of Global ESG Investment Research, Aberdeen Standard Investments
Bill founded Growth Capital Partners (GCP) in 1999 and currently chairs the investment committee. He brings with him 30 years’ experience investing in growing mid-market companies, both from an equity perspective with 3i and Close Brothers and from a senior lender’s position with the Bank of Scotland.
Thomas Gillan, Director of SIS Ventures said: “At Social Investment Scotland we believe that impactful enterprises, those that deliver profit and purpose, should be the bedrock of society; supported with the full power of the investor community. We know that many individuals today have a genuine desire to invest in activities that benefit society which is why we created SIS Ventures Limited.”
Bill Crossan, Chair of SIS Ventures said: “The investment world has come a long way in recent years. Where previously impact-first investment lacked both credibility and visibility among the investor community, we’re now beginning to see more investors come on board with the idea of backing businesses who can produce both a financial and social return. This is, in part, due to the increased value placed on social impact at board level, but also an increased desire among Scotland’s entrepreneur community to pursue a profit-with-purpose model. It’s a hugely exciting time to be working with such a talented team and I’m looking forward to helping SIS Ventures make its name within Scotland’s early stage investment space.”
Nick Kuenssberg, chair of SIS, commented: “We are delighted to have been able to attract Bill to this important ground-breaking venture company. With him in the chair and a strong board in place, we are now in a great position to move forward to the next stage of rolling out our first fund.”