Professional Experience

Consulting

Barka Fund
VC Climate Impact Fund for SMEs in Agriculture and Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
January 2024 - Present

  • Lead relationship management with DFIs and other international organisations (US DFC, EDFI, WRI, GGGI), resulting in a first close of fund I with $11M USD.

  • Designed and implemented climate and economic impact analysis method and tools for investment teams to align returns and climate outcomes.

  • Advised on investment thesis revision to meet impact goals and LP requirements.

Humanitarian Legal Services Start Up
October 2025 - Present

  • Advising on expansion strategy and fundraising. Idea stage, seed funding.

Wine Labelling Compliance Start Up
December 2024 - February 2025

  • Market research and introduction to leading industry events (Salon de Vins and Vignerons Independants, Raw Wine); direct sales and outreach to winemakers and associations in France.

Writing

Intangible Capital, Hospitality, and the Law of Diminishing Emotional Returns
Convivium, 2025
Author

Charm and Abundance: The Alexander Mosaic
Convivium, 2025
Author

Nature Based Investing Guidebook
World Resources Institute, 2025
Contributor

European Regenerative Agriculture Capacity
European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture, 2025
Reviewer

Investing in Natural Capital
World Economic Forum, 2024
Contributor

How UK Sustainable Farming Policy Is (or Isn’t) Shaping Farmer Success
Regenerative Food Systems Investing Forum, 2024
Author


Prior Experiences

Meridiam
Analyst, ESG & Sustainability Intern (2022)
Fund Manager specialist in sustainable infrastructure project finance; AUM 23 Billion EUR

  • Analyzed of European regulatory frameworks including SFDR, TCFD, TNFD, and EU Taxonomy impacts on portfolio; supported production of Meridiam’s first TCFD report.

  • Prepared technical analysis of portfolio sustainability performance for reporting directly to LPs, investor relations presentations, and updates to senior management.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Business and Industry Advisory Committee Intern (2021)

  • Represented BIAC at OECD technical meetings and working groups, contributing to policy analysis and stakeholder coordination activities.

  • Developed comprehensive policy analysis documents, speaking points, and formal comments on OECD working papers related to international trade and agricultural policies

  • Coordinated stakeholder input collection and synthesis from multinational business constituency for policy development processes, including two public papers on international trade and International agriculture policies.

United States Mission to the United Nations
Analyst, Military Staff Committee Intern (2019)

  • Drafted cables, policy memos outlining current debates in committees, analyzing potential issues, and opportunities.

  • Coordinated State, DOD, and UNDPKO trip to UNMISS for a Major General and 3 senior military officers.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Private Events Coordinator, Intern (2018)

  • Managing vendor logistics; coordinated menus between kitchen, managers, and clients.

  • Contracted private dining clients for NYC and Stone Barns Centre; events of 10 to 200+ guests.

Contact

WPH@WillliamPatrickHiggins.com

+33 06 46 37 86 69

Paris, France

Education

Teaching

Institut Supérieur de Gestion
Part-Time Lecturer

  • International Relations & Sports Management (Fall Semester 2025)

  • Sustainability & Sports Management (Fall Semester, 2025)

  • International Relations & Luxury Management (Spring Semester, 2026)