Earlier this year we shared that LOXKIN had been selected to take part in the Swiss Re Foundation Shine Programme.
Last week, we completed Module One, and we wanted to share a reflection on what that meant for us.
The Shine Programme brings together Swiss Re colleagues and social enterprises in a structured collaboration designed to strengthen financial resilience and long-term impact. Module One focused on clarity.
Over two intensive days, guided by Blué O’Connor, Social Venture Manager at the London School of Economics, we stepped back from day-to-day operations and examined LOXKIN through a more strategic lens.
The central question we explored was:
How can LOXKIN scale responsibly, strengthening financial resilience while deepening our social and environmental impact?
Rather than jumping to tactics, the process focused on alignment:
Clarifying the core challenge
Mapping strengths within the cohort
Identifying the capabilities required for sustainable growth
Distinguishing between ambition and structure
What stood out most was the quality of the room. The Swiss Re cohort brought expertise across risk, finance, operations, governance and leadership, but also genuine curiosity and thoughtful challenge. The conversations were rigorous, collaborative and energising.
The third day shifted focus to leadership and values, facilitated by Lisa Middlemas, whose session helped us articulate something important: growth only works if it strengthens what you stand for.
For LOXKIN, that means:
Maintaining integrity in materials and messaging
Building financial stability without compromising mission
Designing growth that increases positive impact
Module One didn’t produce finished answers, it produced clarity. And clarity is a powerful place to start.
Thank You
We’re deeply grateful to the Swiss Re Foundation for creating a programme that takes both business discipline and social purpose seriously.
A special thank you to:
Blué O’Connor for thoughtful facilitation, insight and challenge
Lisa Middlemas for grounding the process in leadership and values
Claire, Nadia, and Adele at Swiss Re for coordinating and stewarding the programme so seamlessly
And to the Swiss Re cohort,
Andy, Emma, Gaelle, Kuriakos, Marie, Nicky, Pete and Will thank you for your openness, expertise and commitment. The energy in the room was constructive from day one, and we’re genuinely looking forward to building on that momentum.
We now move into Module Two, which will include time together away for deeper planning and collaboration, before returning to London to continue the structured work. We’re excited to take what we’ve clarified in Module One and turn it into practical next steps.
More to follow.
