Episode 3: An academic perspective on blended finance and impact investing, featuring Dr. John Hoffmire, Research Associate at the Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business, University of Oxford

In this episode, we delve into a deep conversation about the evolution of blended finance over the years. We explore early structures such as the world’s first social impact bond in Peterborough, among others, and discuss concessional finance's role in uplifting individuals out of poverty through employee ownership. Dr. Hoffmire takes us through his rich experiences over the years having been in the impact field, which he has been a part of since 1975. Time Stamps: 2:30: John’s background and his journey in the development finance sector 7:35: Innovative utilization of concessional finance for promoting employee ownership 14:48: Peterborough’s social impact bond aimed at reducing recidivism amongst prisoners 20:15: The growth of impact bonds around the world and research in the field by organizations such as NORRAG and Brookings Institution 21:40: The inaugural social impact bond for financing early childhood education by Goldman Sachs, United Way of Salt Lake, and the Early Childhood Innovation Accelerator, an initiative of the J.B. & M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation 23:52: Employee ownership for fostering long-term impact and John’s involvement with CGAP, the World Bank, and K-REP Bank in Kenya in structuring employee ownership into the bank’s model 30:55: Challenging the impact investment and blended finance sector to consider employee ownership to enhance equitable profit-sharing 33:50: John’s perspectives on India from a development finance standpoint and his future endeavors