UK: New ethical share issue

The UK?s oldest community finance institution, Co-operative & Community Finance, has launched its latest share issue for ICO Fund plc. The lender for social purpose aims to raise more money from the co-operative movement and social enterprise sector to support worker co-operatives and employee buyouts.

From £1 million raised from previous share issues since 1987, ICO Fund plc has lent over £3.3 million to 150 enterprises – trebling its positive impact for co-operatives, their members, and their local communities.

Over 1,500 jobs in the co-operative sector have been created, supported and sustained in all regions across the UK as a direct result of positive, ethical investment in ICO Fund plc.

Individuals from co-operative organisations across the UK are being asked to invest money in their sector. This approach to ethical investment enables the finance to be lent, repaid and lent again ensuring that it benefits as many co-operatives as possible.

?Investments made in ICO Fund plc play a vital role in the growth of the co-operative sector in every region. The sympathetic finance it provides is used again and again to help people own and control the businesses in which they work, convert environmental concern into action, and ultimately boost local economies.? says Jon McColl, chair of ICO Fund plc.

?We hope that this share issue will encourage further investment from within the co-operative movement to support the strengthening of the sector and help build a brighter and sustainable co-operative future.?

www.co-opandcommunityfinance.coop