Big Issue Invest names Holger Westphely as new Managing Director

Big Issue Invest is pleased to announce the appointment of Holger Westphely as its new Managing Director, leading the UK social investor into its 20^th year.

Westphely has been Head of Lending at Big Issue Invest since 2022. He has two decades of experience working in finance and social investment, having begun his career at Schroders, managing high net worth individual (HNWI) portfolios, before moving into the social sector.

Before joining Big Issue Invest, Westphely spent seven years at CAF Venturesome, where he held several senior roles and managed one of the UK’s leading social investment portfolios. He also co-founded Eastside People, advising hundreds of charities and social enterprises on finance and growth.

Westphely’s appointment comes as Big Issue Invest prepares to celebrate its 20^th anniversary in October 2025. The social investor, which was founded in 2005 by Big Issue founder John Bird and social entrepreneur Nigel Kershaw, has invested over £100 million in UK businesses with a social mission in the past two decades.

Holger Westphely, Managing Director of Big Issue Invest, said: “I’m excited to be taking charge of Big Issue Invest as we enter a milestone year for the business. We’ve spent 20 years of investing in businesses that dismantle poverty, and I’m proud to be leading us into the next chapter with real determination to build further on that incredible legacy.

“With more than 1 in 5 Brits living in poverty right now, social investment offers a much-needed alternative approach to financing and delivering positive social impact for our communities. We’re committed to doing all we can to back the UK’s many brilliant mission-driven businesses dismantling poverty and addressing disparities in health, education, housing and more.”

Big Issue Invest has invested £9.3 million in 50 social purpose organisations in 2025, bringing their portfolio to 139 businesses. These business in turn provided life-changing services and support for a combined total of nearly 2 million (1.88m) Brits.

Westphely will also join the senior leadership team for the Big Issue Group, with Big Issue Invest playing a pivotal role in driving forward the social enterprise’s wider mission of working to end poverty in the UK through a range of products and services. This includes the world-famous Big Issue magazine, sold by people experiencing extreme poverty to earn a much-needed income.

His appointment ends the search for a replacement for former CEO Danyal Sattar, who left Big Issue Invest in late 2024. Big Issue Invest Chair Mark Porter has managed the organisation in the interim period.

Mark Porter, Chair of Big Issue Invest, said: “Having spent more than three years leading our lending and accelerator programmes to support social enterprises across the country, Holger’s expertise and passion for the social investment sector is clear for all to see.

“With the UK impact investing sector is growing rapidly, now accounting for around 8% of the global impact investing market, we’re excited for this new chapter under Holger’s leadership to make the most of this opportunity and unlock more investment for businesses doing good across the country.”