The History

Catalyst Fund Management & Research Ltd. (Catalyst) was founded in 1997 by Rodney Schwartz and Jussi Laurimaa to invest in European financial services. By 2002, Rodney had transformed the firm into one which was largely focused on the social business sector. It began doing consultancy and advisory business in the emerging social business sector. Over the next five years, Catalyst has acted as an advisor/ mentor to dozens of the UK's leading social businesses and enterprises, of which Rodney Schwartz has been appointed as chairman or non-executive director to five of those businesses. In 2008 Catalyst founded www.socialinvestments.com as an internet forum for social businesses, advisors and investors, subsequently renamed and launched as a commercial enterprise as Clearlyso. Catalyst has launched Catalyst Fund 1 with the support of Barclays Bank who has provided a #5 million commitment to cornerstone the Fund. In early 2009 Robin Black was appointed as Managing Partner and Luca Bosatta as Social Impact Partner of the Fund. A full Management Team has been identified and will be appointed at first close.