ECF joins Place-Based Impact Investing Network

The Good Economy, Institute for Economic Development, and the Impact Investing Institute have formed the Place-Based Impact Investing Network (PBII) and have welcomed ECF as a member.

As a partnership between the country’s leading regeneration and investment organisations, ECF is made up of Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse. In 2024, we doubled in size to £400m to enable us to have a greater impact across new locations.

Our partnership with PBII will cover three core areas. This includes the PBII Network, participation in local PBII Labs, and contributions to research projects. Combined, this gives us the opportunity to work alongside other investors with a focus on place-making and regeneration.

Joining the Network will allow us to share our knowledge, as well as learn from the experience of others. It will provide ECF with the latest insight and learnings from across the regeneration industry, including cutting-edge research, to inform our approach, as well as enabling us to inform the future direction of the industry.

This builds on over 20 years of successful delivery by ECF, completing mixed use places worth £1.2bn with 2,150 homes, 1,150,000 sq ft of offices, retail, and leisure space, and creating over 8,000 new jobs.

Sir Michael Lyons, Chair of ECF, said:

A public-private partnership, we already work closely with local authorities and other partners to ensure regeneration delivers social value and sustainable growth across England.

Syreeta Bayne, Head of Social Value and Sustainability at Muse, said:

“To ensure regeneration remains a driver of positive change across the country, it’s important we work across the industry to share best practice.

“Working with our partners, we see how genuine place-making can transform communities and deliver social value far beyond physical buildings. ECF can make a valuable contribution to the Place-Based Impact Investing Network, and the change it will support.”

Whilst the Network has a national focus, working with Local Labs will enable us to contribute the skills and expertise of our regional teams, as well as learn from local partners.

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said:

“As a partnership which operates across England, we have deep experience in the communities we operate in. We understand the power of regeneration and placemaking to change lives and create opportunity.

“That vision is shared by The Good Economy, Institute for Economic Development, and the Impact Investing Institute. Together, and working through the Place-Based Impact Investing Network, we can ensure that regeneration everywhere maximises social value, environmental sustainability, and benefits communities.”

Alison Crofton, Chief Property Officer at Homes England, said:

“Regeneration is all about partnerships and the ability to work across the industry, with the public and private sector, to add value to places and communities.

“That only happens through collaboration, so we are pleased to join the PBII network and look forward to collaborating with partners to continue to drive regeneration across the country as part of ECF.”

Bill Hughes, Global Head of Real Assets at Legal & General Investment Management, said:

“Over 20 years of ECF delivery, our teams have achieved and delivered significant value for communities and other stakeholders. In an ever-shifting landscape it remains critical that we stay on the cutting-edge of thinking and insight in regeneration.

“Place-based impact is precisely where ECF excels, so whilst we have much to contribute we also know it is an opportunity to learn and help shape the future of ECF.”