Meet the team

Kirsty Joined Charity Bank in January 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in commercial and real estate banking, previous working at Octopus Real Estate, Aldermore Bank and HSBC.

Kirsty acts as the main point of contact for both introducers and clients throughout the West Midlands that are looking to deliver social impact through growth and raising the profile of Charity Bank. Additionally, Kirsty provides guidance and support throughout the loan application process and, on an ongoing basis thereafter.

Outside of work Kirsty plays hockey for Cannock Hockey Club where she is a valued member of the team. She also enjoys other activities such as golf, cycling and long walks with her partner and two cocker spaniels.

“My role is to help support the growth and expansion of organisations who are looking to deliver social impact and positive change throughout the Midlands.

I am looking forward to building relationships with new and existing clients and helping Charity Bank support more organisations with the funding they need to make the world a better place.”

Joining Charity Bank as Senior Lending Manager covering the Midlands, Wesley has 19 years’ experience in the Banking and Finance sector. During that time Wesley has covered Retail, Operational and Business Banking.

“Having previously worked for a Social Impact Lender I have seen first-hand the benefits of supporting organisations and helping them do good in their local communities.

Outside of work I spend my free time with my wife and Dexter, my 12-year-old, young-at-heart Jack Russel Terrier. We enjoy walking, kayaking and cycling.”

Jala brings over a decade of experience in banking and finance. Since joining Charity Bank in September 2022 as a Lending Manager, she has been passionately supporting organisations across the Northwest with lending for social purpose. Jala serves as the borrowers’ main point of contact, guiding them through every step of the loan process from the initial conversation to completion.

“As I’m local to Manchester, I love visiting clients across the North and I consider it the best part of my job. Before Charity Bank, I was a Business Development Manager/Senior Loan Manager at GC Business Finance, helping SMEs secure vital funding. My career also includes nearly 10 years at Barclays as a Relationship Manager. I now combine my financial expertise with my social values, using finance as a force for good. Outside of work, I love to travel—having explored Asia, North America, South America, and the Caribbean. When I have the time, I also like to practice hot yoga.”

“My role is to support the Head of Small Social Lending to grow Charity Bank’s lending book through the sourcing and conversion of investment opportunities within the Third Sector – deliberately reaching organisations and communities that have historically been underserved and underfunded and prioritise those organisations that are serving the most vulnerable.

On a personal level I am passionate about helping people and I participate in all manner of charitable activities from fund raising to volunteering at food banks and homeless shelters. I am delighted and excited to be part of Charity Bank and transfer my years of banking experience to support non-profits to maintain, deliver and grow their operations in order to achieve their social mission and goals.”

Marti joined Charity Bank in March 2023 and has over 15 years retail and commercial banking experience, previously working at HSBC, Unity Trust and Nationwide. Outside work Marti enjoys spending time with family and long walks with her dog Penny. And when spare time allows, she enjoys upcycling furniture.

Nathan joined Charity Bank in 2024, bringing with him 18 years of experience in commercial banking, people leadership and channel strategy.  Throughout his career, he has worked in business development roles, with seven years as a specialist to the Charity, Education & Social Enterprise market. Nathan has also served in a non-executive capacity in the Charity sector for the past 15 years, providing him with deep insights into the challenges faced by the organisations we serve at Charity Bank.

Nathan is married with two children and enjoys outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and spending time on the family allotment. He also values investing time in his faith, family, and friends.

“Charity Bank’s aim is to become the lender of choice for socially minded organisations, and I’m delighted to be playing my part in this.  I have recently joined to oversee regional Relationship Managers in Impact Lending, who work with clients to structure and onboard our larger loans, significantly enhancing our Balance Sheet through a proactive solutions-led approach.

Additionally, I lead the teams that manage the banks lending journeys, from onboarding to completion, and those that provide portfolio management for our existing clients. My colleagues and I are dedicated to delivering an exceptional client experience for organisations borrowing from Charity Bank.”

Denise has 35 years experience in Commercial Banking, having started her banking career at NatWest on a Management Development programme. She joined Charity bank in January 2023 and feels privileged to have worked in the Not-For-Profit sector for 15 years as a Banking specialist. Denise has worked with a range of Charities, Social Enterprises, Community Interest Companies as well as professionals within the sector throughout my career.

“Charity Bank is a bank for the sector, owned by the Sector, and it really does make a difference to the organisations who seek funding to fulfil their mission. As an ethical lending manager, I’m passionate about working with these organisations, spending time to understand their operational and financial models and risk assessing if loan funding is right for them. I will additionally provide support to the organisations throughout the process. I also enjoy taking part in sector events across the North region as well.”

Samantha’s role involves overseeing the drawdowns and repayments for the Bank. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to ensuring smooth financial transactions, she makes sure that borrowers receive the necessary funds promptly and that repayments are managed efficiently. Samantha’s expertise contributes to the bank’s mission of supporting positive social impact through responsible lending.

“I am new to the Banking sector but I couldn’t think of a better organisation to be a part of. A vital part of understanding our customers is being able to visit and see what they do. I was lucky enough to have the chance to visit Strength and Learning Through Horses to witness how they include horses in their work to support children to overcome issues outside of a typical schooling environment. Being able to watch some of the activities and hear from the staff and students was an amazing opportunity.”

David joined Charity Bank in 2020, but his association with the Bank goes back to it’s formative years when he formed a strong working relationship with it as part of the NatWest Charities Team in London. He is now delighted to be part of the Impact Lending Team helping organisations to fulfil their mission.

David’s role is to navigate our borrowers through their loan journey acting as their main point of contact from gathering of information, right through to getting the loan finance they require put in place.

“The best part of my role is meeting our customers and seeing first hand the impact they create in their particular area. Nothing beats seeing an organisation delivering meaningful social impact.”

Bernie joined the bank in 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her previous roles. Before this, she spent a decade at Ulster Bank and also worked at PwC, which laid the foundation for her career. Throughout Bernie’s career, she’s had the privilege of working with a diverse customer base across Northern Ireland and mainland UK. Her clients have included faith-based organisations, housing associations, specialist care organisations, and homeless charities.

“I love Charity Bank and all that we represent – The impact of the loans we provide is immense. The charities and organisations we support are changing the lives of so many people.”

“My team focuses on providing investment to smaller charities and social enterprise delivering positive social impact in the UK. We manage all Charity Bank investments under £500,000, including our innovative programs which provide grants, unsecured loans and other support. We passionately believe that smaller localized organizations can provide the most impactful solutions to social issues. It is a pleasure to work in a team focused on helping charities and social enterprises delivery their plans.”

Daniel has worked in the social investment space for over 15 years. He joined the bank in 2021, having previously been deputy-CEO at a leading UK Social Investor. Daniel was the former non-executive director for London Community Land Trust and EJAF Social Impact CIC (part of the wider Elton John Aids Foundation), as well as founder of the East Wick Growth Fund, a local level social investment program.

As an experienced banking and social investment professional, John is passionate about enabling social enterprise, charities and community organisations to fulfil their potential for growth and maximise their community and social impact.

His current role focuses on the provision of blended loan and grant finance to support Charities with energy efficiency improvements. This funding directly supports their ambitions to reach net zero, reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills and most important provide better residential, working and social environments.

“The main parts of my role that I enjoy the most are seeing charities, social enterprises and social organisations develop and grow. I also find the social impact being delivered by our customers and their diversity to be very rewarding.”

Matt has worked in finance for over twenty years and has previously worked for the Co-operative Bank and Unity Trust Bank in the third sector. He currently works on the Portfolio Management Team, managing borrower relationships on a day-to-day basis.

“I enjoy working for Charity Bank as you can see the benefits to the charities and non-profits that we lend to and that we are making a difference to people’s lives. It’s also great to work for an organisation that shares so many of my own values.”

“My background is predominantly in secured lending, and I enjoy using my knowledge and experience to assist the bank’s customers when they approach us with a lending request. My role is to guide borrowers through the process, working with the bank’s trusted professionals, to ensure draw down is achieved in an efficient and timely manner.”

Ray joined Charity Bank in January 2024 having spent over 15 years in various lending & banking roles, including 9 years at Handelsbanken as a Private Banking Manager.

Outside of work Ray is married with two young boys who share his sporting interests, particularly cricket and regularly going to watch Tottenham Hotspur. Ray is a keen runner, aiming to complete at least one half-marathon each month, and balances the miles on the road with yoga to stay fit.

Mark is one of the Lending Managers at Charity Bank, mainly working with organisations that are looking to borrow up to £500,000. He supports organisations through the initial credit process and continues to work with them through legal documentation and completion.

He has over 35 years experience within the banking sector, the past 20 years of which have been specialising in the charity sector.

“I am always inspired by the work undertaken by the organisations that we support. I love having the opportunity to meet with our borrowers to see first-hand the essential contribution the wide variety of organisations we work with make to society.”

“My role as Head of Lending Services is to take loans through from approval to drawdown. My team work very closely with borrowers to ensure that all conditions are satisfied and that all legal formalities are completed. I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that the work I do helps others.”

Debbie joined Charity Bank in 2005 after 23 years with a high street bank. A relocation to Kent prompted her decision to look outside of mainstream banking for a new, exciting challenge.

Outside of work Debbie enjoys sailing on the south coast, as well as running, having completed the Brighton Marathon in 2019, raising over £2,000 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

With over 20 years commercial lending experience, Adam has worked in the Ethical Banking sector for over 15 of those years. He specialises in Property Development and Syndicated Finance as well as our larger and more complex loans.

“Working with Charity Bank allows me to use my skills and experience to help our borrower deliver positive social impact and real social change.”

Carolyn is Director of Lending at Charity Bank. She joined Charity Bank in 2005 having previously worked for a European Bank in the city, where she established and managed their social housing loan book, growing it to over £1bn. Carolyn is a trustee of two Almshouses and a Director of Almshouse Consortium Ltd. She is Chair of Postcode Lottery Innovation Trust as well Maidstone Grammar School for Girls Development Trust.

“I love working for Charity Bank in a frontline role. I spend my time meeting and talking with people, trying to help them with their funding needs and witnessing the social impact delivered.”

Sharon’s role is to guide and support our Borrowers through the loan process as efficiently and seamlessly as possible, in collaboration with other areas of the Bank and our professionals to allow timely completion and drawdown and to provide continued support.

“I joined Charity Bank in June 2015 after 30 years with Barclays in various roles including structured property and development finance. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many invaluable organisations.

Outside of work I spend my time with my family and friends and my Staffy, Max. I enjoy gardening and going for walks in the woods at the end of my garden – it is full of wildlife and helps me relax.”

“I am responsible for guiding and assisting Charity Bank’s borrowers through the loan process, from agreement of the loan through to drawdown, and ensuring the process is as smooth as possible.”

Sue has over 3o years experience in the banking industry building her varied career with NatWest before joining Charity Bank in 2017. Her expertise lies with lending and providing an excellent customer experience.

Family life keeps Sue busy and she also enjoys swimming, walking, and gardening. Her happy place is the English Coastline and her garden.

Victoria joined Charity Bank on a temporary contract in late 2018 and became a permanent member of staff in 2019. Prior to joining Charity Bank, she spent most of the previous 26 years working in the Lloyd’s insurance market. Victoria has enjoyed the switch to working in a bank with a high social impact.

“I find it inspiring to be part of a team that helps so many organisations to make a difference. As an animal lover, I particularly enjoyed visiting Strength and Learning Through Horses in North London (pictured) to see how equine assisted therapy is helping troubled young people.

I enjoy swimming, walking and cooking. I also write commercial women’s fiction set in Italy under the pen name Victoria Springfield.”

Jeremy joined Charity Bank in 2011. His role is to work with clients, helping them to evaluate the risks associated with loan finance, providing guidance and support throughout the loan application process and on an ongoing basis thereafter.

“During my time working at Charity Bank I have helped clients access in excess of £100m in Social Finance. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how this additional funding has helped them grow impact, income and support long term sustainability.”