Cliff Prior, currently CEO of Big Society Capital (BS), will join the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GS) in May as new CEO, taking over from Amit Bhatia, who is stepping down in March after three years as CEO.

Under Cliff’s leadership, Big Society Capital has now committed a total of £600m into funds investing in social enterprises and charities and helped to bring in investment commitments of almost £2 billion to improve the lives of many people across the UK. It has also set up and fund the Access Foundation, to provide blended finance for smaller charities and social enterprises.

Prior to Big Society Capital, Cliff was CEO at UnLtd – the UK foundation for social entrepreneurs – and Rethink, the UK’s charity for people affected by severe mental illness. Further back Cliff was a director at the Mental Health Foundation and Stonham Housing Association, and worked in two crisis intervention counselling agencies. Cliff is currently a board member of the Impact Investing Institute, the International Venture Philanthropy Centre, and Acumen Academy UK.