At Bates Wells, for over two decades, we’ve been helping clients in the UK to make (and raise) investments which provide both a financial return and positive impact for the greater good. But in today’s world, many of the systemic social and environmental problems we’re facing are global in scope – and in their negative impacts. We’re now enhancing our service to our impact investing clients by welcoming Joe Whitfield as our new head of Development Finance. Joe brings with him a wealth of experience in impact investment and financing transactions, with a particular focus on the Global South and frontier markets.
Joe joins Bates Wells from Michelmores, where he led on advising on complex, cross-border transactions particularly in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) space throughout the emerging markets. Joe has specialised in development finance for over 30 years and has worked in sectors such as public healthcare, sustainable agribusiness and forestry, financial services and renewable energy. His clients include private and development equity funds, government-backed development finance institutions, foundations, MFIs and other impact investors, as well as development organisations and international NGOs.
Joe’s arrival means we can now offer the full spectrum of impact investment and development equity transactions and activities expertise to clients looking to achieve real social impact, both in the UK and internationally.
Joe has said: “I am thrilled to be joining a firm with not only a leading reputation in the field of impact investing, but also whose commitment to making a wider positive impact aligns so well with my own values and practice. I’m looking forward to supporting Bates Wells’ clients to invest and advance the Sustainable Development Goals across the Global South and frontier markets.”