Joel Blake OBE Named ESG Entrepreneur of the Year At Prestigious Impact AM Awards

11 Jan 2022
5 min read

‍Joel Blake OBE, the visionary leader behind GFA Exchange, has been awarded as the ESG Entrepreneur of the Year at the prestigious Impact AM Awards 2023. Hosted in London by leading business media giant CityAM, this accolade was presented on the same day as the conclusion of the historic COP28 summit in Dubai, highlighting the pivotal role of sustainable and inclusive finance in addressing global challenges.

Joel Blake's leadership has played a transformative role in reshaping the financial landscape. His ability to seamlessly converge inclusion, technology, and finance to drive positive change amid significant economic disruptions, has earned him this esteemed award. GFA Exchange, the multi-award-winning technology platform founded in the UK, utilises proprietary AI to train finance providers' risk models to eradicate bias within lending and investment processes. This approach enables lenders to adapt to the new era of inclusive and alternative financing, fostering wider access for underserved businesses.

Upon receiving the ESG Entrepreneur of the Year award, Joel Blake expressed gratitude and shared his vision: "I am honoured to receive this recognition, which underscores the importance of leveraging technology to balance commercial returns and social impact. GFA Exchange is committed to driving financial inclusivity through AI-driven solutions, and we look forward to partnering with more lenders to help shape a more equitable financial landscape for all."

Other notable winners at the Impact AM Awards included Julia Hoggett, CEO of London Stock Exchange Group, voted as Industry Leader of the Year, and LGIM, who walked away with the ESG Investor of the Year Award.

The Impact AM Awards celebrate leaders at the forefront of sustainable business practices, and Joel Blake's win highlights his dedication to advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles within the financial sector.