
Patricia Hamzahee OBE, an advisor, investor, philanthropist and specialist in access to funding for diverse businesses and social enterprises, has joined the board of Responsible Finance.
Hamzahee was awarded an OBE in the recent New Year Honours list for services to philanthropy, to the arts and to impact investment. After a long career in banking and investor relations, she founded Integriti Capital to bridge the gap between social enterprise and private funders. She co-founded Black Funding Network, GIVEBlack and Extend Ventures to promote access to funding for the underrepresented. She is a Non-Executive Director of Social Enterprise UK and a member of the Investment Committee of Better Society Capital.
Responsible Finance represents the UK’s Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), social purpose lenders which support viable businesses, social enterprises and households which can afford to repay a loan but struggle to access the finance they need from banks and other sources.
Responsible Finance Chair, Peter Udale said “Patricia brings a deep understanding of the importance and need for better access to finance, particularly among less advantaged groups, and considerable board level experience in impact lending, which will support the development of partnerships and further professionalism in the CDFI sector. We welcome her expertise, energy and ambition at a time of considerable growth for Responsible Finance and CDFIs as we address finance gaps so businesses, social enterprises and households can thrive.’’