Shared Interest

Great runners raise funds for Shared Interest Foundation

On Sunday 11 September five runners lined up on the streets of Newcastle to take part in this year's Great North Run in aid of our sister charity, Shared Interest Foundation.

Award Success

We are delighted to announce that both Shared Interest Society and our charity Shared Interest Foundation have been recognised for a series of prestigious awards.

An inspiring AGM

Our 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at the Northern Stage Theatre in the centre of Newcastle. Over 75 members joined us for what proved to be an informative and lively event.

Providing almost $600m to Farmers

Two years ago, Shared Interest became one of the founding members of a group called CSAF, which stands for the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance. According to recent figures this collection of social lenders has provided almost $600 million in loans to 672 small and medium-sized enterprises in 2015.

2015 A Record Year

In 2015 Shared Interest saw it's 25th anniversary, we celebrated the occasion with a commemorative flag which travelled the globe, a fantastic AGM on the banks of the Tyne, as well as surpassing our targets of investment and lending.

Good Practice Award for Finance Activities

Shared Interest's investment offer has been awarded the Community Shares Standard Mark - a new voluntary scheme awarded to share offers that meet good practice standards.

Anti-Poverty Week

Shared Interest is a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO, a global network of fair trade organisations (formerly known as IFAT - the International Federation for Alternative Trade).

Third Sector Awards 2015

Shared Interest has been announced as winner in the Enteprise category at the Third Sector Awards.

Our Shared Interest

We have launched a new and improved online portal called Our Shared Interest, which will be more interactive. You will be able to change details such as your address, and eventually make transactions online – both adding to and withdrawing from your Share Account.

Winner of most ethical finance institution for commitment to fair trade

At a special ceremony in Milan we were delighted to receive the award for the most ethical finance institution working in the fair trade sector by the Price Project. Regional Manager Andrew Ridley accepted the award on our behalf.

Bee Keepers suffer effects of Volcano

We received news in the early hours that one of our longest serving customers had been affected by the fall-out of the Calbuco volcano in Chile.

Here, our Regional Manager for Latin America, Paul Sablich, tells us the news as he heard it from Apicoop General Manager, Chino.

Teaching Newcastle Pupils to Bee Aware

We joined forces with long term customer Apicoop from Chile to visit Newcastle High School for Girls as part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations. Pupils from the girls' school in Jesmond learned about the habits of bees, heard the challenges facing beekeepers in this country and the developing world and then enjoyed the fruits of their work in a honey tasting session.

Candela celebrate 25 years

Candela Perú are one of our oldest producer customers a WFTO member focusing on Brazil nuts, Brazil nut oil and dried fruits. They are celebrating their 25^th Anniversary this year. Regional Development Executive Paul Sablich visited Candela in Puerto Maldonado town, South Eastern Jungle of Peru.

Anniversary flags well on their way

For the last three months our five anniversary flags have been travelling around the globe collecting signatures and messages of support.

Your Share Account - Your Options

Did you know the amount you can invest with Shared Interest Society increased to £100,000 in April 2014.

Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2014

Shared Interest has been announced as winner in the innovation category of the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards.

Share Capital hits £30m

Shared Interest is celebrating hitting the £30m mark in Share Capital.

Shared Interest Society thanks members in Scotland

Shared Interest celebrated World Fair Trade Day with members in Scotland on May 9.

Award success for Shared Interest

Shared Interest Society and Shared Interest Foundation have been recognised for a number of prestigious awards.

Social Lenders join forces to develop industry standards

CSAF is an alliance of social lending institutions, also referred to as impact -first agricultural lenders, targeting agricultural businesses in the "missing middle" in low- and middle-income countries. CSAF members convene on a pre-competitive basis to exchange learning, identify best practices and develop industry standards.

The Co-operative Bank Statement

Following a number of calls from Shared Interest members regarding our bankers, the The Co-operative Bank, we thought it would be useful to provide a link to their statement here

Record turnout for AGM

A record number of members turned for ths year's AGM in London on March 14.

Women's handcraft producers welcomed to the UK

Shared Interest have been hearing about the Masaai culture from women's handcraft group Namayiana, on their visit to the UK.

Going bananas for fair trade

Shared Interest staff and volunteers got involved in a range of activities to promote Fairtrade Fortnight, which concluded on 9 March, this year.

Shared Interest Foundation sponsor South West Business Awards

Shared Interest Foundation sponsored the lunch at the South West Fairtrade Business Awards 2014 at City Hall, Bristol on March 6.

Royal Approval for Outstanding Business Performance

Shared Interest has been recognised for its strong track record in sustainable development by receiving a Queen's Award for Enterprise at an official ceremony led by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear, Nigel Sherlock OBE, on Friday 6 September.

Watch our short film to find out what receiving the Queen's Award means to us.

Fairtrade Foundation appoints new Chair of the Board

Michael Jary has been appointed the new Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Fairtrade Foundation.

Traidcraft appoints new Chief Executive

Traidcraft is pleased to announce the appointment of Mags Vaughan to the post of Chief Executive.

Guardian Sustainable Business Award 2013

Shared Interest has been announced as winner in the innovation category of the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards.

Queen's Award for Enterprise 2013

Shared Interest has been recognised for its track record in sustainable development by receiving a Queen's Award for Enterprise 2013.

UKSIF appoints new Chief Executive

The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has appointed Simon Howard, a former Group Chief Investment Officer with over twenty years of experience in investment management, as its new Chief Executive.

Leading the Way on being Fair

Shared Interest played a key role in a regional conference bringing together Fairtrade organisations and school children from across the north east last week. The event, which was the first of its kind in the region, took place in the council chamber at Sunderland City Council.

Twin and Twin Trading announce new Managing Director

Twin is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicolas Mounard as Managing Director. The ethical trade organisation works with smallholders in Africa and Latin America in coffee, cocoa and nuts.

An Outstanding Supporter of Fair Trade

It is with great sadness and regret that we share the news of Raúl del Águila's death.

Traidcraft announces departure of Chief Executive

Traidcraft Chief Executive Paul Chandler has announced that he is to leave the UK's leading fair trade organisation at the end of March 2013.

New CEO for Fairtrade Foundation

The Fairtrade Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Gidney to the post of Chief Executive Officer as of 3 December 2012.

My time with Shared Interest

Introducing you to Hattie Robertson, who is volunteering with Shared Interest as part of her career development module at Newcastle University.

Here is a bit of insight into her time with us here in the Marketing and Communications team.

Every Economic Decision has a Moral Consequence

As a "nation in a hurry", has our easy access to credit and the fast and impersonal nature of technology sped up our purchasing activity and left little time for reflection on our actions? The world in which we live is competitive, but is it happy? National Ethical Investment saw panellists asking these questions at a topical debate on the choices we make when it comes to our money....

Welcoming our Overseas Team

Shared Interest head office was busier than usual at the end of the September as we were joined by our overseas colleagues; Rachel Ngondo, John Dossou, Paul Sablich and Andrea Miguel de Priego.

Inspirational Volunteers: Stephen's Story

Shared Interest volunteers work within their own community to change lives around the world. They are unique in that they often don't see the end result of their time, as the impact of their role is not on their own doorstep. But what keeps Shared Interest volunteers committed to the organisation and fair trade on a long term basis? Find out more from Stephen who has been part of Shared Interest's voluntary network in the UK for several years.

Finalists for #coops2012 Award

We are delighted to be part of the shortlist for The Co-operative Awards 2012, which recognise the excellence, innovation and impact of co-operatives and mutuals across the country.

Social Enterprise Award Finalists

Following the judging of the Social Enterprise Awards, Shared Interest has been voted a finalist in the International Social Enterprise of the Year category.

Dragon's Den with a bit of Comic Relief

Two members of the Shared Interest team travelled to London to join Comic Relief's internal communications team for the day. Designed a little like TV's Dragon's Den, the aim of the session was to help discuss the rationale behind social investment versus grant-funding.

My Fortnight with Shared Interest

Shared Interest volunteer Kelly Ho recently undertook a work placement with us. Read her story here.

Lessons in Co-operation from Around The World

One of the areas in which I am growing my knowledge base is co-operatives. So in the manner of co-operation, I've condensed a couple of these facts for you to enjoy and share.

Awards News

We are delighted to announce that we have officially been shortlisted for the Third Sector Awards as well as entering the third round of the Private Business Awards.

Harriet Lamb Appointed New CEO of Fairtrade International

Harriet Lamb has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Fairtrade International.

Rewarding Results

Recognition through awards gives us a further opportunity to thank our Investors and Volunteers for their continued support. Without our committed supporters, we couldn't continue to strive for our vision of a world where justice is at the heart of trade finance.

Thanking Scotland This World Fair Trade Day

On the eve of World Fair Trade Day 2012, the Shared Interest team travelled up to Edinburgh to meet with investors and their guests at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Fairtrade Fortnight Finale in Cumbria

I was delighted to see a Shared Interest account opened in the Cumbria region this week, and like to think that it could be counted as an action from the Take a Step for Fairtrade campaign…

Bananas, black sigatoka and business awards

Sally discusses Fairtrade Fortnight and a few of the interesting topics that arose

An Inspiring Members’ Day and AGM

As the 22nd Annual General Meeting and Members Day draws to a close Kerrey reflects on what has been a very busy and thought provoking experience.

Be The Change You Want To See

Last night I attended an event at the Fairtrade Foundation to celebrate the success of Palestinian Olive Oil producers, Zaytoun.

A Hand Up for Fairtrade Communities

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight we are encouraging people to Take a Step and open a Share Account that will provide a hand up for communities such as those of the Massai women who work as part of the Namayiana group.

Our New West Africa Office

Elisabeth describes her visit to meet John at the new Shared Interest West Africa office.

Shea Determination brings new Lending Product

For the first time we have approved a facility for a shea butter buyer. Based in Derbyshire, Akoma UK is a skincare company with a difference.