Post by Andrew Mai

💼 Impact. Integrity. Investment. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending Discover Impact Investing at British International Investment (BII), an insightful and thought-provoking event held at their headquarters in Victoria, London. Going in, I had an interest in how finance can support real-world outcomes, but this event helped me see the full depth of what impact investing looks like in practice. BII isn’t just the UK’s development finance institution; it’s a platform where capital is used deliberately to build sustainable businesses, empower communities, and open up opportunities in the parts of the world that need it most. Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of BII, opened the evening with a powerful reflection on his global career- from South African public service to Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and the BRICS New Development Bank. What stood out most was his message: finance is not just about returns; it’s about purpose. BII is built on that belief- investing in projects that create value for both investors and society. Whether that’s providing solar-powered homes in South Africa, helping female entrepreneurs access funding, or supporting climate-smart farming in India, each deal is underpinned by purpose. 🔹 I was particularly struck by how BII integrates impact into every stage of the investment process- something Ellen Brookes, Binni K. Adu, Alisha Harikrishnan and Jay Shah brought to life during the panel. From Binni’s example of green, affordable housing to Ellen’s focus on climate finance, and Jay’s explanation of how outcomes are tracked using structured frameworks, it was clear that impact at BII is intentional and data-driven. Alisha’s reflections on her rotations also stood out, showing how BII develops talent with the same thoughtfulness it brings to investing. 🔹 Hearing from Joel Thomson and Leonie Chui brought BII’s collaborative and purpose-driven culture to life. Leonie shared how she had the opportunity to travel solo on-site to meet with a company BII works with, a chance to see the impact up close and take ownership of meaningful work. Joel highlighted how junior team members are encouraged to work across teams, supported by senior colleagues who are approachable and invested in personal growth. 🔹 Morgan Fong wrapped up with a practical session on the application process, encouraging us to personalise our motivation- to go beyond the usual and show genuine interest in BII’s mission. Whether it's a deal that caught your attention or a theme you care about, the most impactful applications start with authenticity. A huge thank you to Morgan Fong, Erin Griffiths, and the Future Talent Programme team for such a well-curated and energising evening. I left feeling more motivated to pursue a career where finance is used as a tool to create lasting, positive change. #BritishInternationalInvestment #ImpactInvesting #DevelopmentFinance #FinanceWithPurpose #EmergingMarkets #ClimateFinance #SocialImpact #SustainableInvesting #EarlyCareers