Ben Goldsmith

Naturally, they are not just in it for the money. The vast majority accept that certain impact investment strategies may never lend themselves to risk-adjusted market rates of return but are happy if it has other benefits, such as fighting AIDS in Africa.  If you are interested, one option is investment trust Menhaden Capital (LSE:MHN), launched in July 2015 by Ben Goldsmith, brother of environmental campaigner Zac, which aims to channel investment into green businesses that specialise in saving resources such as energy and water, or cutting waste. 

Volkswagen might not be a stock you would expect to see in the portfolio of the UK Social Stock Exchange’s only investment trust. In June, however, Menhaden Capital ... initiated a position in the troubled carmaker.  Goldsmith argues it is about buying into trajectory as Volkswagen focuses on becoming the world’s largest electric car manufacturer. He says: “We think Volkswagen on its current price to earnings is a better way to play that trend than some of the newbies.”