The #BOFaces series introduces you to the people making up BlueOrchard’s dedicated team, which is spread across our offices around the world. This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Matt SparkesChief Risk Officer and General Counsel based in the Geneva office.

Continue reading if you want to know why Matt decided to work in the impact investing industry, what his most memorable experience at BlueOrchard has been and how he makes an impact in his private life.

 

Matt, what do you like most about working in the impact investing industry? 

It’s been a great opportunity to build and define a sector that will be increasingly important and relevant for decades to come.

Why did you decide to work in impact investing? 

My son was born, I looked around and realized that, I wouldn’t be proud to explain my work to him.  I found impact finance as the perfect sector to combine my interests and now I am delighted to bore him and our daughter with tales of our effort to make the world a bit better.

Why did you join BO? 

I wanted to work for the best in the business.  It was an opportunity too good to pass up.  The company was clearly on a great path, and I wanted to be a part of it.

What is the most memorable experience you have made during your time at BO?

I started my first day at BlueOrchard Finance in Tbilisi (never having been there before) walking into a room of 50 new colleagues from all over the world.  I immediately felt welcome and people were glad to have me there.  I knew I’d made the right move.

How do you make an impact in your private life? 

I never take up two parking spaces, I don’t drive slowly in the left hand lane, I hold the door for people behind me, I support my far more talented and intelligent wife in pursuing her work, and I try to show my young kids an example of how to be a good human in a complicated world.

What motivates you? 

 A really strong desire not to screw up, and a lifelong sense of excitement for what comes around the next corner.

What is the most valuable advice you can give to people interested in impact investing? 

Make a list of your core values and issues of personal concern.  Find out who is helping to make a difference in that space and figure out how to share your talent.  Maybe it’s BlueOrchard Finance, maybe it’s a development finance institution, maybe it’s a NGO…either way, do it.

Thank you, Matt!