Social Investment, Hybrid Structures & Charity Law - Navigating Risk & Opportunity

Introduction

Navigate the legal complexities of social investment with confidence.

Social investment presents significant opportunities for charities to generate income while supporting organisations that reflect their charitable values. But as the legal landscape evolves, advisers must ensure that these investments remain firmly aligned with a charity's statutory duties.

Following the landmark 2022 case of Butler-Sloss v The Charity Commission, charities have greater flexibility to prioritise ethical, environmental and mission-led considerations, even where this may result in lower financial returns. However, the overriding legal obligation remains unchanged: every investment decision must further the charity's purposes.

This new virtual classroom seminar is designed for charity lawyers advising trustees and charitable organisations. It will examine the legal principles governing social investment, explore the implications of the Butler-Sloss decision and provide practical guidance on negotiating and structuring investments to manage legal risk while achieving charitable objectives.

Register today to strengthen your understanding of this developing area of charity law and equip your clients with the confidence to make legally robust, purpose-driven investment decisions.

The session is ideal for charity lawyers, professional advisers, charity trustees, senior managers and officials responsible for social investment programmes.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• Selecting investment structures that enable charitable objectives without creating unnecessary legal constraints
• Structuring trading subsidiaries to minimise conflicts of interest while maximising commercial and charitable value
• Identifying the most appropriate legal approach to investing in social enterprises
• Exploring hybrid investment models and when they offer the greatest advantage
• Understanding the legal and commercial dynamics of blended finance
• Measuring and evidencing social impact to support informed investment decisions
• Ensuring investments align with sustainability objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals (‘SDGs’)
• Assessing whether an investee's purpose and governance align with the charity's objects and values
• Managing investments throughout their lifecycle, including monitoring, enforcement and available remedies
• Considering the emerging role of artificial intelligence in social investment, due diligence and governance

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.