An executive at one Australia’s largest philanthropic organisations will lead Queensland’s first Office of Social Impact.
Ben Gales, the current Chief Impact Officer at the Paul Ramsay Foundation, will identify and amplify the State’s social enterprises and impact investment opportunities.
Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki said Mr Gales would also oversee the new Social Entrepreneurs Fund.
Treasurer Janetzki said the fund would provide support for organisations helping Queenslanders in need through investments of $20 million a year for four years from 2025-26.
He said the Office for Social Impact would establish the Fund as part of a co-design process to deliver a roadmap for impact investing and social enterprise in Queensland.
“The roadmap will be developed alongside investors, community, faith groups, philanthropists, corporates and social enterprises, including in collaboration with industry experts who attended Queensland first Social Impact Roundtable and the Philanthropy Roundtable in January.”
Treasurer Janetzki said Mr Gales brought decades of experience as a senior public servant, social sector leader and venture capitalist in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“He was responsible for delivering Australia’s first Social Impact Bonds in Australia, in New South Wales, and oversaw the establishment of the NSW Productivity Commission.
“Mr Gales has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise Finance Australia and has advised the Australian Government.”
Mr Gales said it was an exciting opportunity to develop the emerging sector in Queensland.
“The social impact industry has enormous potential to improve outcomes for Queenslanders,” he said.
“The Social Entrepreneurs Fund provides a launching pad for industry to transform their ideas into action and deliver change on the ground where it is needed.
“With this fund and the government-industry collaboration, Queensland will be better armed to tackle important societal challenges across our communities.”
