What Finance Earth does

Finance Earth is a London-headquartered, FCA-authorised (Registration No. 831569) environmental impact investment adviser and fund manager operating as an employee-owned social enterprise (legally Environmental Finance Limited), founded in 2016 by Richard Speak and James Mansfield. The firm addresses the global nature financing gap — estimated at $942 billion annually worldwide and £6.1 billion annually in the UK — by structuring blended finance instruments, designing investment vehicles, and providing transaction advisory for nature-based solutions including woodland creation, peatland restoration, biodiversity net gain, blue carbon, and habitat banking. Its core capability is financial engineering: bespoke investment cases, blended finance architectures (first-loss structures, guarantees, revenue-share products), and contracting frameworks for emerging asset classes such as carbon credits, biodiversity units, and habitat banking. The firm has designed over £1bn of impact investment structures and delivered 145+ projects across 35+ countries.

The company operates across three integrated revenue streams: (1) bespoke advisory mandates to public, private, and charitable clients on investment structuring, market analysis, and partner building; (2) fund management of FCA-regulated nature-focused vehicles including the UK Nature Impact Fund, Big Nature Impact Fund LP (£64.6m first close May 2026, targeting £90-120m), and the Fisheries Improvement Fund (targeting $100m by 2030); and (3) grant-funded accelerator programme delivery (UK Nature Accelerator, CAPE in Africa, Blue Catalyst Fund for mangroves) that develops investment-ready project pipelines feeding back into the fund management business. Its technology is not a SaaS product but rather proprietary frameworks and toolkits — Marine and Coastal Natural Capital Investment Readiness Toolkit, Grassland Ecosystem Services Toolkit, Nature Markets Principles — plus 30+ market-building publications. Customers span UK and devolved governments (Defra, MMO, The Crown Estate, Scottish/Welsh Governments, JNCC), major conservation NGOs (RSPB, WWF, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Woodland Trust), institutional LPs (Zurich, Admiral, Church of England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Mars, Walmart Foundation, Cargill), and project developers. The firm is a certified B Corp and Social Enterprise UK Mark holder, with 51% of profits reinvested into mission activities.

The go-to-market model is senior-led B2B relationship selling, not product-led growth. Mandates are won through direct engagement by Managing Directors and Advisory Directors, referrals from major NGO and government partners, and credibility built through thought leadership publications and awards (SE100 Top 100 in 2023-2025, multiple 2024 industry awards including Social Enterprise UK, Investment Week, UK Nature Award, and UK Green Biodiversity Award). The integrated accelerator-to-fund pipeline is the firm's distinctive structural advantage: technical assistance programmes develop investment-ready projects that feed directly into Finance Earth-managed funds, creating proprietary deal flow that is capital- and time-intensive to replicate.

Name

Finance Earth

Legal name

Environmental Finance Limited

Website

https://finance.earth

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

London-based FCA-regulated environmental impact investment adviser and fund manager structuring blended finance vehicles and providing advisory services for nature-based solutions to governments, conservation NGOs, institutional investors, and corporates across 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Impact Investment Advisory and Fund Management

NAICS

Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525), Other Financial Vehicles (52599)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity, Conservation & Natural Capital Funds (FSANAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infrastructure & Project Finance Advisory (BPAHADAO), Impact Investment & Development Investment Funds (BPADACAO), Water & Waste / Circular Economy Funds (FSANAJAF), Sustainable Real Assets (Green Real Estate, Land, Forestry) Funds (FSANAJAD)

Keywords

• Environmental impact investment
• Nature-based solutions finance
• Blended finance structuring
• Investment advisory services
• Fund management services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advisory Fees: Finance Earth charges fees for providing independent specialist investment advisory services to public, private, and charitable sector clients. Services include thematic strategy and finance advisory, corporate finance (M&A, debt/equity structuring, capital raising), and impact finance structuring. Revenue is project-based and relationship-driven, aligned with transaction lifecycle.
2. Fund Management Fees: Finance Earth designs, structures, and manages investment funds focused on nature recovery (e.g., UK Nature Impact Fund LP, Big Nature Impact Fund LP, Fisheries Improvement Fund). Revenue is generated through fund management fees charged to institutional investors and public anchors.
3. Accelerator Programme Delivery: Finance Earth delivers technical assistance accelerator programmes (UK Nature Accelerator, CAPE, Blue Catalyst Fund) partially funded by philanthropic foundations (Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, FSD Africa) and government bodies (Defra). These are not-for-profit facilities where funds are reinvested into future cohorts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Finance Earth is a fund manager and environmental impact investment adviser that designs and structures blended finance vehicles, manages FCA-regulated nature-focused investment funds, and delivers technical assistance accelerator programmes for nature-based solutions projects. Its work spans investment advisory mandates (structuring, market analysis, partner building), fund management (UK Nature Impact Fund, Big Nature Impact Fund LP, Fisheries Improvement Fund), and accelerator programmes (UK Nature Accelerator, CAPE, Blue Catalyst Fund) supporting project developers to reach investment readiness. Clients include UK government bodies (Defra, The Crown Estate, MMO), major conservation NGOs (RSPB, WWF, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, Woodland Trust), institutional investors, and large corporates.

Product overview

Finance Earth is a multi-award-winning social enterprise and certified B Corp providing environmental impact investment advisory and FCA-regulated fund management services. The company operates a portfolio of accelerator programmes (UK Nature Accelerator, CAPE, Blue Catalyst Fund) that provide technical assistance to unlock investment in nature, climate, and communities. On the fund management side, Finance Earth designs and manages impact investment vehicles including the UK Nature Impact Fund, Fisheries Improvement Fund, and Big Nature Impact Fund LP. The company also provides advisory services, publishes proprietary market research, and delivers capacity building workshops to accelerate the impact of partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Big Nature Impact Fund LP: UK's largest nature-as-infrastructure fund combining public and institutional investment for nature restoration, targeting woodland creation, peatland restoration, and habitat projects.
• Blue Catalyst Fund
• Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF)
• UK Nature Accelerator
• CAPE (Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment)

Products and services

• UK Nature Accelerator Technical assistance programme providing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects with support in the final stages of investment readiness preparation, enabling participants to develop investment-ready projects for institutional investment. Targets woodland creation, peatland restoration, and biodiversity net gain projects, funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation with grants available for eNGOs.
• Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE) Technical assistance programme designed to catalyse investment in nature-based carbon and biodiversity projects across Africa, providing project development and transaction advisory services to high-impact projects. Delivered in partnership with FSD Africa and ANCA, with grant-funded services including both returnable and non-returnable grants.
• Blue Catalyst Fund Catalytic funding and technical assistance programme developed with Fair Carbon to unlock sustainable finance for impactful mangrove carbon projects, operating as a 12-24 month comprehensive co-development programme. Targets restoration or protection of 150,000 hectares of mangrove ecosystems and aims to avoid or remove 32 million tonnes of CO2e by 2035.
• Big Nature Impact Fund LP UK's largest nature-as-infrastructure fund and the first public-private fund for nature restoration, targeting woodland creation, peatland restoration, and habitat projects across England with revenues from verified carbon and biodiversity credits. Target final raise of £90-120 million.
• Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF) Blue finance solution for Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), combining impact-led finance with innovative volume-based contribution mechanism for supply chain companies to fund fisheries recovery at scale. Target: $100m mobilised by 2030.
• Advisory Services Independent specialist advisory services providing investment advisory, market analysis and solutions, and partner building to public, private, and charitable sector clients in the UK and internationally. Services include thematic strategy and finance advisory, corporate finance (M&A, debt/equity structuring, capital raising), and impact finance structuring.
• UK Nature Impact Fund Blended finance vehicle targeting commercial-level returns from high-impact investments into nature-based solutions across England, including woodland creation, peatland restoration, and biodiversity net gain. Managed by Finance Earth following its June 2025 relaunch.

Quantifiable outcome

• 145+ environmental and social impact projects delivered across 35+ countries
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fair CarboncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth partnered with Fair Carbon to co-design and jointly manage the Blue Catalyst Fund — a catalytic funding and technical assistance programme for high-integrity mangrove carbon projects. The fund operates as a not-for-profit facility with milestone-based funding for blue carbon projects in developing countries. First cohort launched in The Gambia and Guinea covering ~51,000 hectares.
• Blue Catalyst Fund (jointly managed by Fair Carbon and Finance Earth)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Blue Catalyst Fund is a 12-24 month co-development programme providing structured capacity building, expert guidance, and milestone-based funding to accelerate mangrove carbon projects to investment readiness. Finance Earth and Fair Carbon provide technical advisory services through a collective of technical advisory partners.
• FSD AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSD Africa, a specialist development agency established by the UK Government in 2012, partnered with Finance Earth and the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) to launch the Carbon Accelerator Programme for the Environment (CAPE) — a technical assistance programme for nature-based carbon and biodiversity projects across Africa. FSD Africa leads the partnership and provides the primary grant funding.
• African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANCA, an African-led multi-stakeholder initiative established in 2022 by FSD Africa with 90+ member institutions, is a strategic partner in CAPE, providing advocacy, network access, and African context expertise to ensure the programme is locally grounded and credible across the continent.
• WWF (World Wildlife Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF is a technical advisor to the Fisheries Improvement Fund (FIF), ensuring FIPs supported by the fund achieve high quality and intended impacts. Finance Earth manages the FIF. WWF also partnered on the Chile FIP launch and Peru Mahi FIP. Previously, WWF played a central role in developing the FIF concept. WWF is also listed as a client and key partner organisation.
• RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth has a deep, multi-year advisory relationship with RSPB, including acting as exclusive investment advisor on the cirl bunting habitat acquisition, leading the Wildlife Trusts' Investible Landscapes programme, and co-developing the Nature Markets Principles. RSPB is one of Finance Earth's longest-standing and most significant NGO partners.
• The Wildlife TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth delivered the Wildlife Trusts' Investible Landscapes project in 2020 and has advised on multiple Wildlife Trust natural capital investment initiatives including the Greater Manchester Environment Fund and Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust's habitat banking model.
• National TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Trust is a long-standing client and co-developer of the Nature Markets Principles alongside Finance Earth, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, and Woodland Trust. Finance Earth has advised on natural capital investment strategy for the Trust's estate.
• Woodland TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Woodland Trust co-developed the Nature Markets Principles with Finance Earth and is a key partner in advancing UK woodland creation investment. The Trust is listed as a client on the Finance Earth About page.
• The Crown EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Crown Estate partnered with Finance Earth on the High Integrity Marine Natural Capital Markets Roadmap (2024) and is co-developing the Marine and Coastal Natural Capital Investment Readiness Toolkit. The Crown Estate is listed as a key client and strategic partner.
• European Investment Bank (EIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth was commissioned by the EIB to produce multiple knowledge products including reports on integrating PES schemes into forest management (2024), investment opportunities in fishery sustainability (2024), and scaling climate resilient agriculture in the EU (2025). These commissions position Finance Earth as a thought leader in European green finance.
• Scottish Government / NatureScotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth was commissioned by the Scottish Government (partnering with NatureScot) to explore how voluntary carbon markets can accelerate peatland restoration across Scotland, producing the Mobilising Private Investment in Natural Capital report (2023). Also commissioned by NatureScot for the Facilitating Local Natural Capital Investment research (2020-2021).
• Welsh GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth, supported by Eunomia and RSPB Cymru, was commissioned by the Welsh Government to analyse barriers to nature market development and natural capital business model opportunities across Wales, producing a Sustainable Delivery Model for Nature Recovery in Wales report (2025).
• Green Finance InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth co-authored 'Financing UK Nature Recovery – Building a Coalition for Action' with the Green Finance Institute and Broadway Initiative, endorsed by RSPB and National Trust. Also partnered on the Marine and Coastal Natural Capital Investment Readiness Toolkit alongside The Crown Estate.
• World Water CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth was commissioned by the World Water Council to produce a report on nature-based solutions for water security, supported by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and presented at the World Water Forum 2022 in Dakar, Senegal.
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth and eftec were commissioned by JNCC to develop a Natural Capital Investment Plan (NCIP) for the Turks and Caicos Islands, including background study, accessible framework, and business and community perspectives reports (2025).
• Marine Management Organisation (MMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth has a long-standing partnership with the MMO to deliver the UK Government's Blue Belt Programme across UK Overseas Territories, creating sustainable finance mechanisms for marine protection across 10 UKOTs covering 4.4 million km².
• CanopyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth and Canopy co-authored the 'Paper Thin Comfort' issue brief (January 2026) warning of wood fibre supply chain risks and providing strategic responses for brands and suppliers in the packaging and textile sectors.
• PlantlifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth developed the 'Realising Grassland Potential' ecosystem services toolkit in partnership with Plantlife, National Landscapes Association, Floodplain Meadows Partnership, and Pasture for Life, funded by NEIRF.
• Blue Marine FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Marine Foundation co-funded the High Integrity Marine Natural Capital Markets Roadmap (2024) alongside The Crown Estate, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Crown Estate Scotland, and University of Portsmouth, with Finance Earth and Pollination as lead authors.
• Capital Continuum AdviserscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital Continuum Advisers' UK business merged into Finance Earth in June 2026, forming a transatlantic platform with Capital Continuum Advisers in the US to accelerate private investment in nature-based carbon markets across the Global South. This merger expands Finance Earth's geographic footprint and capabilities.
• Greater Manchester Combined AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth produced Greater Manchester's first Natural Capital Investment Plan (2019) and advised on the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF), a scaled natural capital investment vehicle for the region.
• UNEP Finance InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth has produced multiple annual reports (2023, 2024, 2025) for the UNEP Finance Initiative on implementation of the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles, showcasing Finance Earth projects aligned with UNEP FI's global framework.
• Hogan LovellsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHogan Lovells provided legal assistance in launching the Fisheries Improvement Fund, helping structure the fund's governance and legal framework as a non-profit company limited by guarantee.
• Federated Hermes (EOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth and Federated Hermes co-developed the Nature Markets Principles in collaboration with National Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, and Woodland Trust — a set of voluntary principles for science-based investment to support high integrity natural capital markets in the UK.
• IDB Invest / Inter-American Development BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth, IDB Invest, and the Inter-American Development Bank jointly developed a Social KPI framework for financing a blue economy in the Caribbean (2025), and produced the Business Trends in Marine Conservation report for Latin America and the Caribbean (2023).
• Green Purposes CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth was commissioned by the Green Purposes Company to produce a market review of Nature-Based Solutions as an emerging institutional asset class (2021), including both a detailed report and an infographic overview.
• Future Parks AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth partnered with the Future Parks Accelerator to work with Plymouth City Council on designing Ocean City Nature, the UK's first local authority-owned habitat banking vehicle.
• Heritage FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinance Earth was commissioned by the Heritage Fund to produce the UK Green Finance Review (2022), examining how to scale private investment in the UK's natural heritage using nature-based solutions.
• Environment AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Environment Agency is listed as a client organisation with which Finance Earth has worked on environmental investment and financing projects.
• PollinationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPollination co-authored the High Integrity Marine Natural Capital Markets Roadmap (2024) with Finance Earth, commissioned by The Crown Estate and Blue Marine Foundation. Pollination is a specialist nature and climate advisory firm.
• EunomiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEunomia supported Finance Earth on the Welsh Government's Sustainable Delivery Model for Nature Recovery in Wales project (2025), providing environmental economics expertise.
• efteccoreStrategic or Co-development Partnereftec (environmental economics consultancy) has worked with Finance Earth on multiple commissions including the Turks and Caicos Islands Natural Capital Investment Plan, Greater Manchester Natural Capital Investment Plan, and grassland ecosystem services toolkit.
• RSPB CymruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSPB Cymru supported Finance Earth on the Welsh Government's Sustainable Delivery Model for Nature Recovery in Wales project.
• National Landscapes AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Landscapes Association partnered with Finance Earth on the 'Realising Grassland Potential' ecosystem services toolkit, alongside Plantlife, Floodplain Meadows Partnership, and Pasture for Life.
• WWF PeruminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWWF Peru is working with Finance Earth's Fisheries Improvement Fund on the Peru Mahi FIP, delivering on-the-water fisheries improvement activities alongside PRODUCE, Peru's national fisheries authority.
• Future Parks AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuture Parks Accelerator supported the partnership between Finance Earth and Plymouth City Council to design Ocean City Nature, the UK's first local authority-owned habitat banking vehicle.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNC supported the World Water Council's nature-based solutions for water security report produced by Finance Earth, presented at the World Water Forum 2022. Also referenced in the CAPE programme context.
• FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCDO is referenced as a UK delivery body working with Finance Earth and UKOT governments on the Blue Belt Programme for marine protection across UK Overseas Territories.
• CefasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science) is a UK delivery body collaborating with Finance Earth on the Blue Belt Programme across UKOTs.
• JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJNCC commissioned Finance Earth and eftec to develop a Natural Capital Investment Plan for the Turks and Caicos Islands, producing background study, accessible framework, and business and community perspectives reports in 2025.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Encourage Capital: Specialist impact investment advisory firm designing and managing blended finance vehicles for ocean and nature conservation. Comparable in scale, mission focus and fund-management approach, with analogous LP relationships (Foundations, DFIs, corporates) and accelerator-style technical assistance programmes.
• Mirova Natural Capital: Dedicated natural capital investment arm of Mirova (Natixis affiliate), managing equity and debt funds into sustainable land use, forestry, and ecosystem restoration. Directly comparable in the design and management of natural capital funds targeting institutional LPs with measurable environmental outcomes.
• Pollination: Boutique nature and climate advisory and investment firm with overlapping services in blended finance, fund design, and corporate climate strategy. Co-authored the High Integrity Marine Natural Capital Markets Roadmap with Finance Earth and competes directly for the same institutional, government and NGO mandates in nature-based solutions.
• Climate Fund Managers: Climate-focused blended finance fund manager (Climate Investor One, Climate Investor Two) partnering with development banks (FMO, IFC) and public institutions. Comparable in blending public/private capital for climate and nature infrastructure projects across emerging markets and structurally similar to Finance Earth's BNIF/FIF model.
• Triodos Investment Management: European impact investment manager with a long-standing natural capital and land investment strategy, including forestry and sustainable food & agriculture funds. Closely comparable as a regulated, mission-driven fund manager serving institutional LPs seeking nature-positive outcomes.
• BlueOrchard Finance: Impact investment manager owned by Schroders, pioneering blended finance vehicles and microfinance / climate funds with development banks and DFIs. Comparable in mobilising institutional capital into impact investment structures, though with broader thematic scope.
• Equilibrium Capital: US-based natural capital investment manager focused on sustainable infrastructure including controlled environment agriculture, forestry and ecosystem services. Directly comparable in raising institutional capital for nature-based and regenerative real asset strategies.
• EKO Asset Management Partners: Boutique environmental finance advisory firm focused on natural capital, water and clean energy project finance. Comparable size and service mix (advisory + fund structuring) with overlapping client base in development banks, NGOs and impact investors.

Broad incumbents

• Federated Hermes (EOS): Global asset manager with substantial ESG and stewardship franchise. Co-developed the Nature Markets Principles with Finance Earth, signalling strategic overlap but from a vastly larger, multi-strategy platform. Represents the broad incumbent peer that increasingly competes in natural capital.

Others

• Better Society Capital: UK's largest social impact investor (formerly Big Society Capital), referenced as an LP and partner in Finance Earth's managed funds including the CORE community energy fund. Comparable in mission-led structure but operates as a wholesale impact investor / fund-of-funds rather than direct fund manager and advisor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Finance Earth