Microfinance & Impact Investing at Scale: BlueOrchard CEO, Philipp Mueller on Empowering Entrepreneurs, Transforming Lives, Driving Positive Social Change, and More…(#019)

SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing

Philipp Mueller is Chief Executive Officer of BlueOrchard, a leading global impact investment manager and member of the Schroders Group, that connects millions of entrepreneurs in emerging and frontier markets with investors. Philipp joined BlueOrchard in 2018 from Partners Group, where he served in a number of capacities in Switzerland and in the UK, most recently as Senior Vice President of Investment Solutions. Phillipp holds an MBA from ETH Zurich and a master’s degree in Law from the University of Zurich.
During today’s discussion, we discuss Philipp’s time as an Officer in the Mountain Infantry during his time in compulsory military service in Switzerland. Philipp shares how after completing his Masters degree in law he decided to pursue a career in finance instead and he discusses the reasons behind his eventual transition from traditional finance to impact investing, shedding light on his motivations and choices.
We discuss Philipp’s role as CEO at BlueOrchard, the company mission and how they prioritize making a positive environmental and/or social impact, while still achieving market rate financial returns. Philipp explains what microfinance means, its potential to advance financial inclusion, and shares some real life examples of microfinance impact. We speak together about blended finance and how this can change the risk return profile of certain investments in order to attract more private investors, and we look at the broad range of BlueOrchard’s investor profiles and the potential benefits of investing in microfinance as an asset class. Philipp shares his views on the role of advancing technology in impact and microfinance and much more.
Please Note: This interview was conducted on 17 May 2021 - AUM and other facts & statistics cited in this episode will have evolved.
Show notes: https://sri360.com/podcast/philipp-mueller
About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, Scott Arnell interviews a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes. In my interviews, I cover everything from their early personal journeys—and what motivated and attracted them to commit their life energy to SRI—to insights on how they developed and executed their investment strategies and what challenges they face today. Each episode is a chance to go way below the surface with these impressive people and gain additional insights and useful lessons from professional investors.
Connect with SRI 360°:
Sign up for the free weekly email update: https://sri360.com/newsletter/
Visit the SRI 360° PODCAST: https://sri360.com/podcast/
Visit the SRI 360° WEBSITE: https://sri360.com/
Follow SRI 360° on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SRI360Growth/
Follow SRI 360° on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SRI360Growth/