From rising stars to CEOS, the WISE100 recognises the most inspiring and influential women in social enterprise, impact investment, and mission-driven business.
Fran has spent the last decade developing and advocating for impact investment in the cultural and creative sector (CCS), in the UK and internationally. Last summer, she spearheaded the formation and launch of Figurative as an independent organisation dedicated to impact, investment and innovation.
The Wise100 Social Investment Champion recognises a woman who has made significant impact in social investment during the past year, whether through a notable deal or broader contribution to the field.
The award judges said of Fran: “What’s outstanding about Fran is not just that she blazes the trail in a sector that is not usually attractive for funders, but is able to get other people on board, with her skillset and achievements spanning partnerships policy, advocacy, across countries and at different layers of system; from established players to independent theatre practitioners.”
Fran Sanderson said “I’m honoured and humbled to receive the WISE100 Social Investment Champion award, especially in such an incredible field of candidates, whom I feel proud to consider my peers.”
Since we launched Figurative last year, the team and I have been working tirelessly to support the sector with our impact loans and philanthropy development, and taking advantage of the amazing networks of interested stakeholders throughout the cultural and creative, financial and social impact sectors to understand what else we can do to build hope, resilience and innovation in our cultural and creative organisations and ecosystem, both nationally and internationally. When organisations and creatives can look to the future with positivity, they can deliver incredibly powerful outcomes for individuals, communities, society and the planet.”
Winners in the other 2025 WISE100 categories were:
Social Business Woman of the Year – joint winners:
- Yasmin Halai-Carter, founder and CEO of Ethstat Ethical CIC
- June O’Sullivan OBE, CEO of London Early Years Foundation (LEYF)
Rising Star Award:
- Tiwa King, founder of Beyond a Song CIC
Changemaker Award – joint winners:
- Farida Danmeri, founder & CEO of Learning Connected
- Sarah Mackenzie, CEO of ForYou Training
Find out more
The annual WISE100 is created by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital.
You can view the UK’s 100 leading women in social enterprise, impact investment and mission-driven business in the Wise100 list here
