# £50 million social investment fund planned for Liverpool City Region

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/07/10/50-million-social-investment-fund-planned-for-liverpool-city-region/
- Published: 2026-07-10T11:13:48+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**A place-based [social investment](https://fundraising.co.uk/tag/social-investment/)
fund with the ambition to mobilise £50 million over seven years has been announced
for the Liverpool City Region, with Social Investment Business agreeing in principle
to act as its fund manager.**

The Social Investment Pathfinder Fund aims to transform access to finance for social
enterprises and community organisations across the city region, with a particular
focus on founders and organisations underserved by mainstream finance, including
Black-led and other underrepresented enterprises. It is expected to launch later
this year, following final approvals.

The Fund will invest across three connected areas:

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 * early-stage blended finance for new and emerging enterprises
 * scale-up investment for organisations ready to grow
 * and a dedicated land and property vehicle designed to enable greater community
   ownership of assets.

## Implementing the Adebowale Commission’s recommendations

The initiative puts into practice the recommendations of the Adebowale Commission
on social investment, which reported in 2022. Lord Adebowale, patron of the Pathfinder,
has described the model as a “proof of concept” for locally governed but nationally
connected capital, with lessons for the rest of the UK.

The Fund has been identified as a delivery mechanism for inclusive prosperity within
the Liverpool City Region Growth Plan. At a national level, discussions are progressing
with the government’s Office for Impact Economy to establish the region as an Impact
City Region.

## ‘A critical milestone’

**Erika Rushton**, Director of Strategy at Kindred Liverpool City Region, the community
interest company behind the initiative, said:

> “Social Investment Business brings a strong national track record in delivering
> social investment funds and a deep understanding of regional ecosystems. Their
> involvement will support the management of Pathfinder’s financial architecture,
> combining compliance and robust governance with locally accountable investment
> across the Liverpool City Region.”

Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business, said the organisation looked forward
to building “the best possible partnership between local expertise in the city region
with our own national infrastructure and capacity”. SIB has deployed over £800 million
in loans and grants since 2002, supporting more than 6,000 charities and social 
enterprises.

Further announcements will follow as fundraising progresses and formal agreements
are finalised. More information is available from [Social Investment Business](https://www.sibgroup.org.uk)
and [Kindred](https://kindred-lcr.co.uk).