Already a member? Q&A with Sabrina Fox, ELFA CEO
Sabrina helped found ELFA and having successfully led the organisation for over 6 years is stepping down to pursue new ventures.
Q. You’ve been involved in ELFA since day one. How and why was ELFA founded?
There was a realisation amongst lenders that they needed to establish a strong independent voice. We started with a core of 10 or so founding members in High Yield and then leveraged loan investors joined, and we grew steadily from there.
Today we act for 60 member firms across the United Kingdom and Europe, helping to increase transparency, improve disclosure and facilitate engagement. We also help educate borrowers and other market participants and promote fair competition and market standards for the benefit of all stakeholders. A healthy market supports investors, borrowers and ultimately, investments and businesses of regular people.
Q. Has the vision for ELFA been realised thus far?
Definitely. ELFA is not only a strong voice for the buy-side, it is also a force for good in leveraged finance acting for a resilient, strong, growing and sustainable European market that serves its members, borrowers and society more broadly. The founding members of ELFA sought to create a strong, credible voice for the buyside, and this mission has been achieved.
But there is still much to do to further support the strength and resilience of our markets.
Q. Which achievements are you most proud of?
There is so much that I’m proud of! Notably, we have helped members navigate ESG reporting to a point where it is no longer about box ticking but has become a measurable driver of sustainable returns and good for the planet and society.
I’m also proud that we are playing an active role in bringing levfin investors and borrowers up the ESG curve quickly to the high standard of other markets in pursuit of sustainable returns through more standardised reporting and disclosure.
Q. What are the big challenges for the industry and ELFA in the future?
ELFA has taken a stand to improve investor protections and to ensure that lenders get the information and reporting required for sound investment decisions, and there is still more to do.
Recently, we hosted an Annual Conference, and during a series of panels our members articulated their needs for greater disclosure and transparency across leveraged loans, high yield, CLO and private credit markets.
ELFA members want sustainable returns, reduced risks and better protection for their end investors.
Q. What are your plans for the future?
Education and empowerment are my deepest passions, and my work in these areas will continue as I devote my time to Fox Legal Training and Good Girl to Goddess.
Q. What is your most abiding memory of ELFA?
The moment we gave the green light to announce the creation of the organisation to the market after months and months of planning – that is a moment that I will never forget. It was the culmination of hours of work and the collective vision of a small group of people, and six years later it shows what passion and commitment truly can achieve.
ELFA Annual Conference 2024 summary
“Recently, we hosted an Annual Conference, and during a series of panels our members articulated their needs for greater disclosure and transparency across leveraged loans, high yield, CLO and private credit markets.”
Read a short summary of ELFA Annual Conference 2024 here with links to media coverage of the event