Hillbreak deepens its place-based social value and impact capabilities with appointment of a market-leading social advisory team.

Connecting Capital to Place-Based Outcomes

The integration of the new team enhances Hillbreak’s capacity to connect strategies at the investment platform, corporate and fund level with tangible on-the-ground outcomes delivered through development, regeneration and asset management initiatives.

This move comes at a pivotal moment for the real assets investment landscape in the context of the UK Pension Investment Review and the recent establishment by the UK Government of the Office for the Impact Economy, both of which underscore the growing importance of place-based impact to the public sector and institutional asset owners.

The team brings an unparalleled track record in both strategic advisory and local impact strategy and measurement. Crucially, their approach is grounded in optimising and measuring real-world outcomes, rather than being blinkered by the narrow limitations of monetisation-based methodologies – providing clients with more authentic understanding of, and greater accountability for, their contribution to communities and society.

Strengthening Client Synergies

The appointment reinforces Hillbreak’s relationship with several key institutional asset managers. For example, Hillbreak and the incoming team share a significant portfolio of mutual clients, including with Legal & General and Royal London Asset Management. By bringing these capabilities under one roof, Hillbreak now offers a seamless bridge between holistic ESG integration, sustainable and impact investment strategies, and place-based social value and impact.

To support the expansion and provide a physical anchor for the business in the North, Hillbreak has opened a new office on King Street in central Manchester. It marks a vote of confidence in the region on the back of the £1bn Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, announced recently by Mayor Andy Burnham to pioneer a new model of economic growth across the city region. The team is already embedded in a number of the strategic projects in the Fund’s pipeline.

Leadership Perspectives

Jon Lovell, co-founder and Managing Director of Hillbreak, commented:

Left to right: Georgia Harris, Jon Lovell, Kelly Watson and Sarah Richards

“The arrival of Kelly, Sarah, and Georgia marks a transformative step in the evolution of our firm, which has just celebrated its first decade of business, and I’m absolutely delighted to welcome them to the Hillbreak family. We have long admired their pioneering work in social value and impact, having collaborated with them several times in recent years on client strategies. Bringing their expertise into the Hillbreak fold allows us to provide the comprehensive, multi-disciplinary leadership that our clients are increasingly demanding.

“Since sharing this news privately, the response from clients has been overwhelmingly positive. There is a clear appetite amongst asset owners and managers for a more integrated approach to social and environmental impact that better connects investment strategy with real-world delivery.”

Dr. Kelly Watson, Principal at Hillbreak, added:

“This is a exciting step, not just for us but for our clients too! Joining Hillbreak provides Sarah, Georgia and I with the perfect platform to continue scaling our impact and we’ve hit the ground running with a full portfolio of early engagements. Our shared values and aligned client base make this a natural fit, reflected by the client feedback we’ve had already.

“As Jon says, we’ve collaborated with the rest of the team at Hillbreak several times in the past, so we know this works! I am thrilled to lead the new Place Advisory service here, helping our clients create enduring social and economic value across their portfolios through evidence-based, outcome-led strategies.”

About Hillbreak

Hillbreak is a specialist advisory and training firm with a mission of accelerating sustainability and impact in public and private markets through strategic advice, client learning and leadership development. We support organisations working in both public and private markets, across the asset classes, to understand and respond positively and effectively to the ESG, sustainability and impact agendas. We do this through a unique blend of strategic advisory, client learning and leadership services: providing advice, strategic direction and independent challenge; developing knowledge and skills, and building capacity.

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