About us

We curate purposeful collaboration to help companies and their partners access the insights and relationships they need to unlock new opportunities for business and social impact.

Our story

Where we have come from

Welcome to the Business Fights Poverty Community. We started our journey in 2005, with a mission to help you on your social impact journey. We recognised an opportunity to connect those who share our passion for business and social impact across organisations, sectors and countries. We continue to be amazed and inspired by the members of this community.

Inspired by our community

We take pride in the fact that 97% of surveyed members say that being a part of the Business Fights Poverty community makes them feel more connected. Community sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe that sharing insights, co-creating solutions and deepening relationships are central to building a more equitable and resilient future.

Join us on this journey

Business Fights Poverty has grown into a vibrant global community of people, companies and organisations committed to making a positive impact. As an award-winning, founding UK B Corp, Business Fights Poverty is dedicated to promoting an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. Join us today and be part of this transformative journey.

WHy and how we do what we do

THE CHALLENGES WE FACE

A confluence of challenges is driving a poverty tsunami that is crashing into the lives of vulnerable people and communities around the world. We are leading efforts to understand these trends from a business perspective and enable companies to take action.

A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION

We focus on how businesses can harness their core business, as well as their voice and philanthropy, to support the lives, livelihoods and access to learning of the most vulnerable people - working in partnership with other businesses, civil society and government.

OUR FOCUS FOR IMPACT

We do this by coordinating rapid collaborations that drive action, curating meaningful convenings to deepen relationships, and harnessing the collective learning of our community of companies and 30,000+ individuals from business, civil society and government.

Our Team

Zahid Torres-Rahman OBE

Co-Founder & CEO

Spain

Zahid has over 30 years’ experience in business and international development, including at PwC and HM Treasury, and is a Founder of Business Fights Poverty.

Yvette Torres-Rahman

Co-Founder & CFO

Spain

Yvette has over 25 years’ experience in marketing and brand management, including at GSK, and is a Founder of Business Fights Poverty.

Katie Hyson

Director, Thought Leadership & COO

Katie has over 15 years’ experience within multi-national businesses developing sustainability and shared value, including Barclays and O2

Alice Allan

Director, Collaboration

Alice has over 25 years’ experience facilitating engagement between the private sector, civil society and government, including leading CARE’s global Women’s Economic Empowerment advocacy.

Natasha McEwen

Community Engagement Manager

Natasha has over 20 years’ experience in inclusive business and cross-sector partnerships, including at the International Business Leaders Forum.

Annabel Beales

Collaboration Lead

Annabel has 15+ years experience in research and writing in the field of business and social impact, including previously for MLM Group.

Michael Salmon

Creative Director

Michael has over 25 years of graphic design and branding experience across a wide variety of disciplines.

Sofia Ribas

Research Manager

Spain

Sofia is passionate about promoting social entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and has a background as a social entrepreneur, as well as with GIZ in Morocco.

Anna Spenner Hernandez

Community Learning Manager

Spain

Anna is passionate about social and environmental justice, and has previously worked for environmental charities and on tackling inequality.

Bill Omondi

Community Engagement Lead, Kenya

Kenya

Bill is passionate about youth advocacy and sustainable development. He is Co-Founder and CEO of The Debate Circle which works to empower young people.

Amaleehah Aslam-Forrester

Researcher

Amaleehah is a gender equality activist with a passion for ending gender-based violence. She is doing a masters in Global Development and International Affairs at SOAS and John Hopkins.

Folake Sowonoye

Researcher

Nigeria

Folake has a passion for supporting people with data analytics and web development. Folake has a degree in dietetics and nutrition.

Sakshi Saraf

Researcher

Nepal

Sakshi is passionate about international development, corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship. Previously, she worked for On Purpose London and the Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

Megan Bosman

Social Media Manager

South Africa

Megan has over 10 years’ experience in the digital space, specialising in social media, with a special interest in health, environmental issues, and social impact.

Malkia John

COP29 Youth Ambassador

Kenya

Malkia is Founder of Sauti Salama and Glow and Grow, committed to gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. Through YOUNGO, she advocates for gender-sensitive climate action.

Our Circle of Advisors

Jane Nelson

Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School

USA

Jane has co-authored five books and over 80 publications on corporate responsibility and the role of the private sector in development.

David Grayson CBE

Emeritus Professor of Corporate Responsibility, Cranfield University

David speaks, writes and advises regularly on business, society, entrepreneurialism, and future trends for businesses and media.

Anna Barford

Senior Research Associate, Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge

Anna is Prince of Wales Fellow in Pathways to a Circular Economy, supported by Unilever, and focuses on the intersection of livelihoods and the environment.

Lisa Nichols

Founder and CEO, Motivating the Masses

USA

Lisa is a world class coach and motivational speaker, as well as media personality and corporate CEO whose global platform has reached and served nearly 30 million people.

Marcus Druen

Executive Coach

Marcus is part strategic advisor, part executive coach, with experience supporting senior execs at the likes of Telefonica O2, Lidl, KPMG and Microsoft.