Sovereign Wealth Fund Investments

Sovereign wealth fund investment in co-operative, mutual and co-owned business: building sustainable communities

This research is being conducted by Professor Jonathan Michie and Dr Ana Nacvalovaite. Its purpose is to assess how and to what extent Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) investment in co-operative, mutual and co-owned business might enhance social and environmental sustainability, thereby contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Global expansion of SWF investments is providing an opportunity to promote sustainable finance. Powerful examples of business models that have long served communities are co-operative, mutual and co-owned enterprises.

The importance of the SDGs and the significance of COP26 pledges for future investments, will have a far-reaching impact on the business world. We are therefore identifying how collaboration between SWFs and the co-operative, mutual and co-owned sector may be mutually beneficial. A particular aspect of our study highlights the benefits of generational investment in meeting the need for communities to thrive after SWFs have withdrawn their investments – business as well as social sustainability.

Our research also considers how such SWF investments may contribute to closing the gap between the developed and the developing world, stabilising financial systems during crises, contributing to ‘just transitions’, promoting gender and racial diversity, building the ‘well-being economy’, and promoting financing education.

We welcome enquiries about the project.