We’re drawing on expertise from across the region

Our team

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Sara Allen

Executive Director

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Faye McDonough

Director of Investments & Operations

Klara Spark

Investment Associate

Our Board

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Robert Pollock (Chair)

Cambridge City Council

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Antony Ross

The Cambridge Pledge Foundation

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Rob Bridge

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

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Suranga Chandratillake

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Sonia Powar (Chair)

Our Investment Committee

Sara Redford

Our interns and work experience

We want to help build the next generation of impact investors - we’ll keep the gallery updated with the brilliant people who have joined the team to develop their knowledge and experience, with some of their reflections on their experience with us.

  • During my time at Greater Cambridge Impact, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to impact investing by reviewing financial statements, forecasts and business models to assess a prospective client’s investment viability.

    I analysed the Statement of Financial Position, Profit & Loss and Cash Flow, applied a structured Investee Review Framework across six pillars and prepared a recommendation report outlining key strengths, risks, mitigations and proposed investment terms.

    This experience strengthened my skills in financial analysis, communication, Excel forecasting and data storytelling while giving me valuable insight into professional judgement and how social impact funds balance financial returns with measurable community value.

    Being part of the Greater Cambridge Impact team over the duration of my work experience was undoubtedly formative and it reinforced my ambition to pursue a Level 7 Accounting Degree Apprenticeship, qualify as a chartered accountant and build a career where I can combine technical excellence with responsible impactful financial decision-making.

  • Working at GCI over the past week has opened my eyes to a new approach to impact investment which is really exciting. I feel very grateful to Sara, Faye, and Klara who have taken the time to speak to me in depth about their work and answer all my questions. 

    Over the week I focused on looking at the communication strategy for GCI moving forward. I researched the comms strategy of several different charities, impact organisations and pledges across the UK to try to draw out helpful recommendations for GCI’s own strategy. Then, using Faye and Sara’s own conceptualisation of GCI’s messaging I drafted a report which included analysis of relevant linkedin posts from similar companies, and recommended several ideas and tactics for GCI to use on linkedin and their website moving forward. It was a really interesting project which led me to think critically about how social impact initiatives should address their audiences. 

    The main value of the week came from being close to the incredible work that Sara, Faye and Klara are undertaking to try to improve people’s lives in Cambridge. This type of work comes with a unique set of challenges that I wouldn’t have thought about before. The energy in the office was passionate and hopeful, and through this taste of life at GCI I feel confident in pursuing my ambitions to work in other social impact initiatives. 

    Next month I will begin a MSc in Sustainability science and policy, and I am hopeful that this next step in education will help me to pursue a meaningful career in sustainable finance and impact investment.

  • I have just graduated from the University of St Andrews with a Degree in Latin and Classical Studies and intend on commencing a law conversion this coming Autumn.

     

    During my time at GCI, I conducted a research project into the different legal structures charities and social enterprises can take, focusing specifically on their ability to safeguard impact. Prior to completing the final report, I had the opportunity to present my findings to the team, gaining key feedback into the specific nuances relevant to GCI’s work. This internship has given me immense insight into both the practice of impact investment and the legal intricacies behind it. GCI’s strong focus on impact greatly aligns with my intentions to pursue a career in Human Rights and opened me up to the idea of practicing Charity Law.

     

    I am grateful to Faye, Sara and Klara as well as my fellow interns for everything they have taught me this past month and for showing me a new way to drive change once I complete my further studies.

    Over the week I focused on looking at the communication strategy for GCI moving forward. I researched the comms strategy of several different charities, impact organisations and pledges across the UK to try to draw out helpful recommendations for GCI’s own strategy. Then, using Faye and Sara’s own conceptualisation of GCI’s messaging I drafted a report which included analysis of relevant linkedin posts from similar companies, and recommended several ideas and tactics for GCI to use on linkedin and their website moving forward. It was a really interesting project which led me to think critically about how social impact initiatives should address their audiences. 

    The main value of the week came from being close to the incredible work that Sara, Faye and Klara are undertaking to try to improve people’s lives in Cambridge. This type of work comes with a unique set of challenges that I wouldn’t have thought about before. The energy in the office was passionate and hopeful, and through this taste of life at GCI I feel confident in pursuing my ambitions to work in other social impact initiatives. 

    Next month I will begin a MSc in Sustainability science and policy, and I am hopeful that this next step in education will help me to pursue a meaningful career in sustainable finance and impact investment.

  • Getting first-hand experience of the end-to-end decision-making process has been the biggest insight for me. It's one thing to analyse a financial model in excel, but seeing the core relationship building and advisory process in action has really grounded me in the purpose of impact investment beyond the numbers. Being with Faye and Sara this past week at GCI has reinvigorated my drive to pursue impact investment as a broader career aspiration.

    I am currently in my penultimate year of university - reading PPE at Durham - applying to summer internships in Asset Management and sustainable investment.

GCI was guided on its journey by a Development Board and advisors, including Antony Ross, Chris Jenkin, Dominic Llewellyn, Jack Scriven, Jemma Little, Robert Pollock, and Tabitha Goldstaub. We are hugely grateful for their time and insights.