The constitution of Advisory Council for Impact Investing in SpainSpain NAB, as an association can be a turning point for this sector in our country. 28 organizations They have joined the entity, including B Lab Spain, and independent people to continue promoting the impact investment market in our country.
These incorporations join a strategic project for the country born in June 2019 with the accession of Spain to the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG). Thus, in the current context of recovery and transition towards a fairer, more sustainable and equitable economy, SpainNAB has established itself as the leading organization in Spain for promoting impact investment, a necessary tool to achieve a capitalism in which the impact positive and measurable social and environmental impact is integrated into all economic and financial decisions.
To direct the SpainNAB Association, a new board of directors has been formed made up of Juan Bernal, CEO of CaixaBank AM, reelected as president, and by María Ángeles León, from Santa Comba Management, as vice president. The treasurer is Xavier Pont, from Ship2B Ventures, and the members include Margarita Albors, from Social Nest Foundation; Luis Berruete, from Creas Impacto; Antonio González, from the Anesvad Foundation; Javier Güemes, from the ONCE Foundation; José Moncada, from Bolsa Social; and Agustín Vitórica, from GAWA Capital.
José Luis Ruiz de Munain, the person who led Spain’s accession to the GSG through the Asociación Foro Impacto, is the general director of SpainNAB. Also part of the board of directors is Pablo Sánchez, executive director of B Lab Spain, a leading non-profit organization in systemic change towards a new sustainable, regenerative and inclusive economy, promoter of the global movement of B Corp companies, and creator of standards , policies and tools for companies to generate a positive impact on society and the planet.
Important advances since 2019
SpainNAB was born as an advisory council of 16 people in June 2019 with the accession of Spain to the GSG. This council is constituted today as the SpainNAB Association and incorporates 12 new people and organizations, reaching a total of 28.
The GSG is an initiative that emerged in 2013 within the framework of the British presidency of the G8. Chaired by the considered father of impact investment, Sir Ronald Cohen, it is the main global platform to promote this type of investment, and of which 34 countries and the European Union are already part.
The achievements of the work of these more than two years can be measured in figures. Spain’s accession to the GSG was a catalyst for increasing impact investment in our country, reaching a figure of 2,378 million euros of capital managed in 2020, which represents a growth of 26% compared to the previous year.
The market has not only grown in numbers, but also in the number and nature of players. An ambitious Action Plan, networking or the generation of cutting-edge knowledge have been fundamental parts of the success of SpainNAB to date.
María Ángeles León, vice president of SpainNAB and founder and president of the Open Value Foundation and Global Social Impact Investments under the umbrella of Santa Comba Management: “The impact investment market is getting bigger and bigger in Spain and at SpainNAB, although we have been working for more than two years, we are now reinforcing ourselves to provide a better service to society and consolidate ourselves as the benchmark actor for Spain”, he comments. . “Thus, the incorporation of new actors is one more proof of the commitment that exists to address the challenges that we face and make the most of the opportunities that are emerging for our country”Leon points out.
A new era for impact investing
The constitution of SpainNAB arrives in a Key moment for impact investing. In the midst of an unprecedented climate and social crisis, the G7 once again tasked the GSG with coordinating a working group, the Impact Taskforce, to map out a roadmap to accelerate the volume and effectiveness of private capital seeking to have a positive social and environmental impact.
SpainNAB has participated in the work of this group and has been recognized with the inclusion of two pioneering Spanish cases in the G7 recommendations report. In addition, it has recently become part of the Board of Trustees of the GSG Foundation with the incorporation of Juan Bernal, president of the Spanish organization.
