USJF Research
Akira Takenaka
Akira is Japanese, born and educated in the UK, and joined Social Finance in 2021 as part of the analyst training scheme. He works across a range of projects focused on improving outcomes for children and young people, with expertise spanning service assessments, outcome framework design, and strategic development for outcome‑based commissioning and social investment. He brings experience shaping emerging social investment markets, assessing barriers to capital flow, and supporting organisations to articulate outcomes, strengthen impact measurement, and build investable pipelines. Akira has contributed to projects ranging from service assessments and feasibility studies to the design of multi‑year strategies and market‑shaping interventions. He also supports the development of outcome frameworks and the application of social investment principles across a range of contexts. Prior to joining Social Finance, Akira worked as a frontline officer in the Metropolitan Police for two and a half years, bringing firsthand operational experience and an understanding of the challenges faced by frontline services and the communities they support.
