ESG stock exchange to launch UK regional offshoot  
The UK’s Social Stock Exchange aims to connect investors with socially responsible firms looking to expand. The planned Liverpool and Wirral Social Stock Exchange will initially run as a 12-month pilot in the region, subject to being ratified by Liverpool and Wirral councils. The Social Stock Exchange, which has built a membership of 35 firms with a combined market capitalisation of €2bn since launching in 2013, has been working with the councils to research demand and generate interest from investors, which could, according to Liverpool City Council, generate support for up to 108 businesses that aim to make a social, environmental or ethical impact.

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A Mersey stock exchange is being set up to back “responsible” local firms and help them to grow.

The Liverpool and Wirral Social Stock Exchange will initially run as a 12 month pilot as a regional offshoot of the national Social Stock Exchange, with a view to creating a permanent presence in the area.

The national Social Stock Exchange launched in the summer of 2013 and has built a membership of 35 firms with a collective market capitalisation of £2bn, with companies in sectors ranging from energy to social inclusion and fair trade benefiting so far.

The organisation has been working closely with Liverpool and Wirral Councils over the last few months to research the demand for a local exchange and work has already been done securing interest from investors and business community.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “This is a really simple concept that could be a game-changer for responsible businesses.

“We know that some businesses sometimes struggle to secure funding, particularly when they don’t have any assets such as buildings that they can borrow against.

“This initiative represents the very best of finance, bringing together investors with a conscience with firms that are out to make a difference and improve lives.”

A total of 92% of businesses who responded thought the initiative would be a good idea, while half would be interested in accessing it in the future and 12% felt it would be right for them now.

Larger charities also expressed an interest in investing in the scheme, as well as using it to raise funds,

Social Stock Exchange Chief executive Tomás Carruthers said: “We have already seen how a social stock exchange can work at a national level, but the research we have conducted shows that there’s clear demand – both from companies wanting finance and from investors – to roll this out at a local level.”

Cllr Phil Davies, leader of Wirral Council, added: “Our region has a proud history of successfully marrying investment with social improvements, not least the Lever Brothers’ Port Sunlight village, built to house their workers.

“The Liverpool and Wirral Social Stock Exchange will pair up investors with social enterprises in mutually beneficial relationships that will pay dividends for the people of the region as a whole. I am keen to welcome new investment into the borough, and the opportunity to build a strong, sustainable Wirral.

The move is set to be ratified at Cabinet meetings of Liverpool and Wirral Councils later this month and will be formally launched at IFB 2016 on Wednesday 29 June.