News / Investment
Regional investor marks 10 years of impact funding
The impact investor Bristol & Bath Regional Capital (BBRC) has marked its 10th anniversary by celebrating a decade of mobilising around £72m for the South West.
It has already set out its ambition to attract £1bn of further investment into the region over the next ten years.
Founded in 2015, BBRC has become one of the UK’s leading place-based impact investors, focusing on homes, green growth and community impact. Its model is increasingly viewed as a “blueprint” for other parts of the country.
Held at EQ on Victoria Street, the anniversary event brought together investors, investees, civic leaders, academics and politicians to reflect on BBRC’s achievements—not only in terms of capital deployed but also in the wider social, environmental and economic value created across the region.
“As we mark this anniversary, we’re celebrating the partners, investors and investees who have helped deliver meaningful change,” said Ed Rowberry, chief executive at BBRC – photo: First Avenue Photography
Over the past decade, 67 per cent of BBRC-supported homes have been considered affordable, with most located in deprived areas and built to high energy standards.
Its flagship Elderberry Walk scheme in Southmead has earned both national and international recognition.
In the green growth sector, BBRC has supported more than 50 SMEs to become investment-ready, saving over 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and generating significant renewable energy.
City Funds, its first place-based investment fund, has provided £10m to around 30 social enterprises.
Chief executive Ed Rowberry described the South West as a region capable of leading the UK in “good growth”.
Helen Godwin (left), mayor of the West of England, lauded BBRC’s impact in the region, citing landmark projects such as England’s first inland community-owned wind turbine in Lawrence Weston – photo: First Avenue Photography
He said: “Ten years ago, place-based impact investing was still emerging—today it is vital to tackling the challenges facing our communities, from housing and climate to inequality and economic resilience.
“As we mark this anniversary, we’re celebrating the partners, investors and investees who have helped deliver meaningful change. Our region can be a trailblazer, showing how public and private investors can work together, as set out in our Regional Growth Strategy and its focus on the Everyday Economy.”
Opening the event, Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, lauded BBRC’s impact in the region, citing landmark projects such as England’s first inland community-owned wind turbine in Lawrence Weston.
Some of the investees of BBRC over the years – photo: Milan Perera
“We think our region can be a real trailblazer,” she said.
“Strategic effort to mobilise billions for places that need it most—that’s exactly what BBRC represents. I think we’re already the best at this, so we should be the ones to take it to the next level. I’ve got no doubt about what we can achieve in the years to come.”
BBRC chair Ruth Foreman highlighted the breadth of the organisation’s work, emphasising the mobilisation of £72m since 2015 and the success of City Funds.
The Q&A session with Kieron Boyle and Justin Olosunde, led by Ed Rowberry – photo: Milan Perera
She also pointed to the launch of the £100m Green Growth West Fund—supported by Amber Infrastructure and backed by a £10m cornerstone investment from the West of England Combined Authority—which will focus on mid-scale green infrastructure and growth-ready businesses across the South West.
In a Q&A led by Rowberry, Justin Olosunde, senior funding and investment manager at WECA, praised BBRC as “a fine example for cities across the country”, while Kieron Boyle, chair of the Impact Investing Institute, highlighted Bristol’s leadership in the field.
Evelyn Welch (right), vice-chancellor at the University of Bristol and Alison Hope, director of The Nisbet Trust at the event – photo: Milan Perera
He pointed to the city’s growing influence through the new Office of the Impact Economy, saying Bristol was “helping to shape the system around local investment”.
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol, said BBRC had demonstrated how investment can serve both people and investors.
“It’s fantastic that BBRC is an exemplar of making money work for local people in ways that matter to them, while still ensuring investors receive a return and future funding is secured,” she said.
The Q&A was followed by a networking session between various stakeholders – photo: Milan Perera
“That balance isn’t easy—most organisations focus on shareholder value or private returns. BBRC brings real financial expertise together with communities to ask what they need and how investment can genuinely benefit them. It’s a model for the whole country.”
The event was attended by figures including former Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, former deputy mayor Asher Craig, and Martin Fodor, chair of the environment and sustainability committee at Bristol City Council.
Held at EQ on Victoria Street, the anniversary event brought together investors, investees, civic leaders, academics and politicians to reflect on BBRC’s achievements – photo: Milan Perera
Looking ahead, Rowberry reiterated BBRC’s ambition to deploy £1bn over the next decade.
“BBRC has a proven track record across housing, green growth and community impact,” he said. “We can play a key role in delivering for the region. Our ambition is clear: to attract and deploy a further £1bn of finance into the South West.”
BBRC has marked its 10th anniversary by celebrating a decade of impact funding across the South West – photo: First Avenue Photography
Main photo: First Avenue Photography
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