The Big Issue launches The Big Exchange

Co-founded by The Big Issue, the pioneering investment platform lets investors track how their money benefits people and the planet without sacrificing financial returns money benefits people and the planet without sacrificing financial returns

Social and environmental investment platform The Big Exchange launches today with a mission to make everyone’s money count for more.

Co-founded by The Big Issue and a coalition of industry partners, The Big Exchange is a simple, online marketplace offering everyone easy access to 36 funds that create positive impact for people and the planet.

The website gives customers the opportunity to choose investments that match their personal values and put their money into tax efficient accounts. Options include an ISA for adults and a JISA for children, or a General Investment Account with regular deposits starting at £25 a month.

Through the tragic Covid-19 crisis we are seeing more and more people wanting to make their money count for more both for today and for future generations

This model provides people with an opportunity to make a positive social and environmental difference with their money without sacrificing financial returns.

Nigel Kershaw OBE, chair of The Big Exchange and The Big Issue Group, said: “We created The Big Exchange to transform the financial system and give the opportunity for everybody with savings to invest in funds that give them a financial return as well as making a positive impact on the world around them.

“Through the tragic Covid-19 crisis we are seeing more and more people wanting to make their money count for more both for today and for future generations.”

The platform brings together fund managers, global impact-investing and finance experts, corporates, and social enterprises who recognise the need to drive change.

We’re launching The Big Exchange so people can do better with their savings

This change will be measured against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with The Big Exchange analysing how each fund contributes to objectives such as ending poverty and protecting the planet.

The Big Exchange is the first investment service that shows consumers a simple summary of how much positive impact an investment fund is towards these SDGs through a gold, silver or bronze rating.

Jill Jackson, managing director of The Big Exchange, added: “We’re launching The Big Exchange so people can do better with their savings.

“Encouraging everyone to do better for themselves, at the same time as doing better for society and the planet.

“For the first time, regular UK investors will have access to active investments, managed by leading fund managers, and see them independently awarded medals for the extent of positive impact they are creating on people and the planet.”

Customers can choose from individual investments in funds or ready-made selections based on risk. All independently rated options aim to deliver a financial return whilst making a positive social and environmental impact, without one being sacrificed for the other.

Charges include 25p a year for every £100 on The Big Exchange with no time-period lock-in.