Happy 15th birthday to the UK Social Investment Forum, which will mark the event with a gala at the Lord Chancellor’s Residence on Downing Street.  It is a birthday all of us in SRI should join in celebrating.

I have closely followed the work of the UK SIF since I attended the organization’s second meeting.  There, I met three of its founders: Alan Miller, Tessa Tenant and Peter Webster. 

Still, I found it very difficult to write this note.  How do I acknowledge the many achievements of its members and staff, which have had effects well beyond the UK?  I tossed a number of drafts.  I chose, instead, to point to one achievement that has had a significant impact on KLD’s work.

In 1999, Penny Shepard, UK SIF’s long-time executive director, organized a conference held at Herbert Smith, one of London’s major law firms.  There, before an audience of 200, Herbert Smith gave its blessing to the use of SRI by pensions—with the usual qualifications.

The importance of the Herbert Smith seminar for everyone in SRI in common law jurisdictions cannot be understated.  SRI had become safe for trust lawyers and their clients.

So congratulations to the UK Social Investment Forum on 15 fruitful years.  And thank you.