By Kerrey Baker, Managing Director, Shared Interest
This is the first in a new monthly column exploring the role of ethical finance what it means, why it matters, and how we can use money as a force for good in business and beyond.
Ethical investment is, at its heart, about aligning money with values rooted in making positive change. It means considering not just how much we earn from an investment, but what kind of world we are helping to shape with it. For some, that might mean avoiding harm … steering clear of industries like fossil fuels or arms.
For others, it is about actively supporting solutions: renewable energy, sustainable farming, access to finance in underserved communities. What unites ethical investors is a belief that profit should not come at the expense of people or planet.
At Shared Interest, we have seen the power of this approach first-hand. Based in Newcastle, we have been operating for 35 years – using investment from individuals across the UK to provide finance that enables fair trade. Our mission is to empower smallholder farmers and social businesses by improving access to capital – strengthening livelihoods and supporting long-term impact. Our investors are people from all walks of life who choose to use their money to make a difference, accepting a modest return in order to support livelihoods and long-term impact.
The investment raised allows us to lend to cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast securing better prices for their crops, coffee co-operatives in Peru expanding into international markets, and handcraft businesses in Kenya investing in climate-resilient practices. It is a form of investment that prioritises people over profit … and it works.
Over the coming months, I will use this space to unpack different aspects of ethical finance. From supply chain resilience to climate adaptation and access to finance, we will explore how ethical finance can help address the challenges shaping today’s business landscape – and the communities behind it.
For me, ethical finance is not about ticking boxes. It is about asking better questions. What impact does my money have? Who benefits? And how can we build financial systems that serve both people and planet?
Because when finance is fair, everyone benefits.
Invest in change at www.shared-interest.com