Carolyn Sims

Director of Lending

South Lending Team

“As the Director of Lending I have responsibility for driving forward the lending that we make to organisations who can clearly demonstrate the social impact that they deliver. I am immensely privileged to spend my time meeting organisations who deliver so much good and that support some of the most disadvantaged people in our society.”

Carolyn 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. In between Carolyn worked briefly for Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) as a business development manager. Her banking career started at NatWest on a management training programme.

Carolyn is a trustee of an almshouse and a development trust, the treasurer of the local branch Pony Club, and treasurer of a small funding advice charity.

She spends most of her spare time outdoors with horses and ponies. Carolyn enjoys walking and is currently training to walk a section of the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Debbie Harmsworth

Head of Lending Services

“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).

Jala Daly

Lending Manager

“My role is to support organisations across the Northwest with lending for social impact purposes. I will be the lenders’ point of contact from start to finish during the loan process.

It is an extremely inspiring sector to be working in with so many amazing individuals and organizations wanting the same as us at Charity Bank – to do good.”

Jala joined Charity Bank in September 2022. Before this she spent some years as a Business Development Manager/Senior Loan Manager with GC Business Finance, helping SME’s access loan finance. Prior to this, Jala worked as a Relationship Manager for Barclays, completing just under 10 years with them.

Jala loves to travel – she has previously traveled to Asia, North America, South America, and The Caribbean and has many more places to tick off her bucket list. She also enjoys hot yoga and running.

Marti Delrosario

Social Impact Investment Manager

Sharon Gooch

Lending Services Manager

Sharon joined Charity Bank in June 2015 after taking a short career break to spend time with her children.

Prior to joining Charity Bank, she worked for Barclays. She has spent the last 15 years working in corporate finance risk, specialising in structured project finance and managing real estate, PFI/PPP and renewable energy assets.

Sharon’s role at Charity Bank is to assist borrowers to draw down their loan, following its approval, as seamlessly as possible.

Sharon says: “It is fantastic to have found an opportunity at Charity Bank to draw on my experience in finance to help others make a difference in our communities.”

Stacey Goodrich

Lending Services Officer

“My role is to assist my team with administration duties, whilst helping to guide and assist Charity Bank’s borrowers through the loan process.

“I am passionate about working for a bank that strives to do good for charities and social enterprises.”

Stacey joined Charity Bank in April 2017 after working for 18 years in high volume administrative and customer-focused roles within numerous different industries including travel, hospitality, and care.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her adorable cats, and going for scenic walks.

Mark Herbert

Lending Manager

Smaller Loans Programme Team

“My role is to work with organisations to explore how loan finance can help them to increase their impact on society. Loan finance can help organisations to thrive, make a bigger difference and have a greater control over their future. It is always humbling to see and hear the passion and commitment of those involved in making the world a better place.”

Mark joined Charity Bank in 2017 and has over 30 years’ banking experience with NatWest, Unity Trust Bank and Co-operative Bank. The past 15 years has seen him work with a diverse range of charities and other social sector organisations.

Outside of work Mark enjoys football and whilst his playing days may be behind him, he can still be found helping out coaching his sons junior football team. He also enjoys cycling with his wife and two sons.

Denise Hignett

Senior Lending Manager

North Lending Team

“As a Senior Lending Manager at Charity Bank, I am privileged to work with organisations in the third sector. I always seek to build great working relationships with my clients and look for ways to structure loan funding in a way that works for both the charity or social enterprise and Charity Bank. There is nothing more rewarding than getting funding agreed and evidencing it being put to good use.”

Denise joined Charity Bank in January 2023 and has 33 years of commercial banking experience. She previously worked for the Natwest Group where she felt privileged to have been the Charity & Education sector specialist covering Cheshire, Merseyside & North Wales for nearly a decade. She also has a Chartered Banker ‘Diploma in Credit’ qualification and was recently awarded ‘Women in Business’ accreditation.

In her spare time Denise enjoys cooking and baking, dining in local restaurants, and renovating her 1850’s coach house where she lives with her husband and daughters. She also runs to try to keep fit and healthy, sometimes taking part in the annual Race for Life events for Cancer Research.

Jeremy Ince

Regional Manager

North Lending Team

“My role is to work with clients, helping them to evaluate the risks associated with loan finance, proving guidance and support throughout the loan application process and on an ongoing basis thereafter.”

Jeremy has worked for Charity Bank on a permanent basis since 2011, during which time he has helped clients to access in excess of £50m in affordable loan finance.

Jeremy is a keen sportsman and loves the great outdoors – walking, cycling and sailing. He is also Chair of a local scout campsite and activity centre.

Wesley Lovett

Senior Lending Manager

"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."

John Murray

Senior Lending Manager – Green Investment Lead

“My role is to build relationships with new and existing clients and provide the loan funding that will allow them to expand the services and support that they give to people and their communities. I find it to be very motivating when seeing the development, social impact and positive changes that our clients provide.”

John joined Charity Bank in January 2022, having previously worked for NatWest Group in Commercial finance and social investment roles. John is a Princes Trust Business Mentor and enjoys supporting young entrepreneurs with the development and progression of their new businesses.

In his spare time John enjoys taking day trips with his family, camping, mountain biking and listening to music.

Sue Potter

Lending Services Manager

“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 33 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.

Adam Ruffinato

National Lending Manager

North Lending Team

“As the National Lending Manager for Charity Bank, my role is to look after our larger or more complex loans. Often these loans are for the construction of new buildings and I really enjoy helping customers bring their projects to life and seeing them being used by people.”

Adam joined the Charity Bank in 2014, having spent the previous eight years working at another social lender. He has worked in banking for 20 years specialising in property and construction lending.

Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and going to the gym. At weekends Adam runs a micro-brewery with a childhood friend, supplying the local pub trade with traditional ales.

Bernie Teggart

Lending Manager

South Lending Team

“My role focuses on assisting new and existing customers obtain the loans they need to support their business plans for stability, growth, and adaptation to the ever-changing economic environment. I am inspired by the personal commitment of so many individuals involved with the charities we assist, and I am motivated by the additional social impact delivered as a result of the support we provide.”

Bernie joined Charity Bank in 2017 bringing with her 15 years’ previous experience in the banking and financial services sector having worked for both PWC and the RBS Group.

Bernie is a busy Mum to three young children, however when she has a little free time, she enjoys long walks on the beach and in the forest, yoga, and reading. She also holds a position on the Board of Governors at the school her children attend.

Daniel Wilson-Dodd

Head of Small Social Lending

“As Head of Small Social Lending, my role is to manage the team assessing loan and grant applications and develop new products to help charities and social enterprises deliver positive social impact. Its uplifting and inspiring to see the work done by our wonderful clients.”

Danny joined the bank in 2021, having previously been deputy-CEO at a leading UK Social Investor. Danny is a non-executive director for London Community Land Trust and Elton John Aids Foundation, as well as founder of the East Wick Growth Fund.

Ray Keatley

Lending Services Manager

"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.

Nathan Whitaker

Director of Business Development & Borrower Experience

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 bank's 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."

Justin Halls

Head of Savings Operations

“My role as the Head of Savings Operations plays an important part in creating a lasting social change in our communities. The savings products we offer earn our customers a return whilst supporting the extraordinary work of charities and social enterprises across the UK. The values that Charity Bank and our customers hold inspires me on a daily basis.”

Justin has 20 years’ experience in the financial sector and for the last two years he has led the Charity Bank Savings Team in supporting deposit growth that in turn complements our lending activity.

Justin loves spending time with his family. When time allows Justin enjoys gym sessions and cycling. He is about to embark on learning Spanish which has been a long-term ambition.

Claire Springett

Savings Product Manager

“My role supports the delivery of our suite of ethical savings accounts. I assist with improving the full product life cycle our savers’ experience whilst saving for good with us.”

Claire joined Charity Bank in 2013 following nine years in a small family run financial services firm. Since she has become a key member of the Savings team, previously serving as a Savings Officer and supporting as interim Savings Manager before utilising her skills in her current role.

In Claire’s new role she is able to use her experience to support the needs of savers’ whose funds are then on-lent creating demonstrable social impact across the UK. Claire really enjoys that our savers’ still receive personal service and can contact us easily whenever they need to.

Claire is family oriented and loves to spend time with her husband and two children in addition to extended family.

Andrea Collard

Savings Officer

“As Savings Officer I process customer requests and assist the Savings Manager in overseeing the team. Opening a customer’s account is an opportunity to build a relationship and give them the personal service that they may not get with larger banks.

“It is a great feeling knowing that every account we open provides more funds that can be lent to organisations that are making such a difference in our local communities.”

Andrea joined the bank in March 2017 following 30 years working for a major high street bank. The last eight were working with commercial and real estate finance clients. She has a wealth of experience in various customer service roles.

Andrea enjoys baking (carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are an office favourite!), entertaining and gardening in her spare time.

Philippa Hilton

Savings Officer

“Working at Charity Bank has always provided me with a ‘feel good’ factor. The interaction we have with customers is rewarding; and can include explaining how their money and savings accounts work, through to how their deposits support our borrowers.

“Many of our customers have been with us for years and they are all valued.”

Philippa joined Charity Bank in 2005 and has worked in financial services since 1979 before moving to the charitable sector in 1992. Philippa believes that providing a personal touch makes a world of difference and this sets Charity Bank apart from the mainstream financial institutions.

Nick Murray

Savings Officer

“I provide guidance and assistance to new customers and provide ongoing account servicing to existing customers.

“Offering the best service to our customers is what I find most enjoyable within my role.”

Nick joined the Charity Bank team as a Savings Administrator in March 2018, having worked in the Banking and Finance industry for over 30 years. Prior to his role at Charity Bank he spent 16 years working for The Royal Bank of Scotland Group in various customer service roles, including working with a portfolio of Charities, Housing Associations and Social Enterprises.

Daryl Palfrey

Savings Administrator

"I am part of the savings team and my role is to carry out administrative duties, assist our customers and to help people who are looking to open accounts."

Daryl joined Charity Bank in October 2021, after working for 21 years for a life and pensions company and the last 17 years for the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Outside of work Daryl likes spending time with his family. He enjoys watching his daughter play football, and sometimes he does this from on the pitch as he is also a qualified referee. Daryl is also a keen runner and has run the London Marathon 13 times.

Helen Shergold

Savings Administrator

"My role is to assist my team with administration duties and to process payments for our customers.

"I have worked within administration and customer service roles for CAF Bank for seven years and Race for Life for four years. In my spare time I like socialising, running and yoga."

Tersia Visser

Savings Administrator

"My role within the savings team is to carry out the processing of deposit administrative tasks correctly and efficiently."

Terisa is originally from South Africa, immigrating to the UK at the end of April 2021. Prior to her role at Charity Bank, she was an Executive Personal Assistant & Technical Assistant at an International JSE Listed Johannesburg Mining Company for over 10 years. Having started in the Finance Department she later moved to the Sustainable Development Department. Tersia is also a trained First Aider and a SHE Representative.

In her spare time Tersia enjoys walking, especially with her 2 Yorkies, and watching reality shows. She is passionate about the following causes: Children, Human Rights, Environment, and Animal Welfare.

Edward Siegel

Chief Executive

“I believe that banks have a critical social function to fulfil and that Charity Bank can be an agent for positive social change. We are filling a gap in the provision of mainstream finance through our specialist lending to charities and social enterprises. We’re also giving depositors a savings option that is not just ‘ethical’; we ensure that our savers’ funds are only invested in organisations dedicated to addressing disadvantage, improving lives and strengthening communities.”

Ed joined Charity Bank in July 2018 from the social impact investment fund manager, Big Issue Invest, where he was Managing Director for nearly ten years. Ed spent the early part of his career in commercial banking in the U.S. and was head of the Small Business Banking practice of ShoreBank International, where he managed small business loan funds and advised financial institutions in the developing world.

Ed has been a board member of several UK charities and social enterprises and was once Chair of the first microfinance bank in Belarus. He spends many a weekend watching his son and daughter play football and Fulham trying their best. Since seeing Queen at Madison Square Garden when he was 14 years old, Ed has been to well over 300 shows and still gets out to several gigs a year (though he now tends to stand at the back).

Natasha Breen

Director of Human Resources

“I oversee and manage all aspects of HR to create an engaged and empowered environment which maximises the performance and potential of all staff to enable Charity Bank to be a high performing, efficient and effective organisation in the delivery of its business strategy and objectives.”

Natasha joined Charity Bank in February 2014 as Head of Human Resources and is responsible for the strategic development of the HR function.

Natasha is an experienced HR generalist with over 20 years’ experience gained within Professional Services and Banking. She holds a BA (hons) Degree in Employment Studies and Marketing and is CIPD qualified.

Natasha is a busy mum to two children and enjoys spending time with family and friends, walks in the countryside, yoga and going to the theatre.

Justin Hort

Director of Operations and Savings

“My role is responsible for the strategy and delivery of the Operations functions of the Bank including: Savings, IT, Operational Resilience, Project Management, Data governance and Facilities infrastructure with the aim of delivering an efficient and effective operating platform to support our customer engagement and from which sustainable future growth can be achieved."

Justin is an experienced accredited banker who spent sixteen years of his banking career with National Westminster Bank where his roles included leading teams with the responsibility for meeting the savings and lending needs of businesses and charities, developing new products/workflows and delivering regional projects which included IT systems and adherence to new and/or updated regulatory frameworks.

Justin joined Charity Bank in December 2014 where he has developed suites of savings accounts for private individuals, businesses, credit unions and charities that can be applied for online. These accounts allow Charity Bank savers to ‘save for good’, supporting the extraordinary work of UK charities and social enterprises. Justin was also a key member of team which implemented the Bank’s new core banking system and since has continued by chairing the Business Review Process considering all bank-wide systems and processes.

Outside of work he is a keen sportsman and has previously supported a number of sports charities, as they sought to make key sports such as cricket and football more inclusive to all.

When away from the Bank his time is also spent travelling/sightseeing and cycling which has been known to include pit-stops taking in a beer garden or two!

Mark Howland

Director of Marketing and Communications

“My role is focused on raising awareness of how loans, savings and investments can be a powerful force for good. I am hugely impressed by the people behind the organisations we work with. It is a privilege to be able to share the inspiring stories of how our borrowers are improving lives.”

Mark has created and implemented marketing and communications strategies for Charity Bank for the past 18 years, as we have grown from a £6m pilot fund to a £250m impact driven bank. He has a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, BA Honours Degree, and Chartered Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.

His experience includes communications consultancy to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities in Kenya and volunteering in different capacities for social sector organisations. Mark also holds a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies and enjoys long walks, cycling and country pubs.

LinkedIn

Caspar Mackay

Director of Credit

“My role is to support the Banking team in lending to social sector organisations. More than ever, people are dependent on these organisations for critical services.

“It is a great privilege to support the social sector and work for a bank for good.”

Caspar joined Charity Bank in June 2014, prior to which he worked for Big Issue Invest Limited, the social investment arm of The Big Issue Group, and HSBC. He has an MA from St Andrews University and MBA from INSEAD.

Caspar enjoys long walks, running, skiing, gardening, and travel.

Thomas Ralph

Chief Risk Officer

“My role is to lead and oversee risk management at Charity Bank, helping us to grow as a business in a safe and sustainable way and thereby support more of the amazing organisations that come to us.”

Thomas joined Charity Bank in October 2020 and has over 10 years’ experience in bank risk management, having worked previously at Metro Bank and Lloyds Banking Group. He has also worked in consulting, at EY’s financial services risk practice.

Thomas is married and he and his wife both hail from County Cork in Ireland. He is an international tag rugby referee and keen on escape room games, having played over 50 different rooms around Europe. Thomas also teaches religious classes for children at his local Catholic church.

Carolyn Sims

Director of Lending

“As the Director of Lending I have responsibility for driving forward the lending that we make to organisations who can clearly demonstrate the social impact that they deliver. I am immensely privileged to spend my time meeting organisations who deliver so much good and that support some of the most disadvantaged people in our society.”

Carolyn 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. In between Carolyn worked briefly for Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) as a business development manager. Her banking career started at NatWest on a management training programme.

Carolyn is a trustee of an almshouse and a development trust, the treasurer of the local branch Pony Club, and treasurer of a small funding advice charity.

She spends most of her spare time outdoors with horses and ponies. Carolyn enjoys walking and is currently training to walk a section of the Great Wall of China to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Kirstie Smith

Finance Director

During her time at Charity Bank, Kirstie has worked with the wider finance team to ensure that Charity Bank has been appropriately prepared for all the regulatory reporting changes and challenges that have been implemented over the last 5 years.

Kirstie became the Finance Director in 2022, having joined Charity Bank in 2017 as the Treasury and Regulatory Accountant with responsibility for submission of regulatory returns and leading the production of the prudential documents including the ICAAP and ILAAP policies.

Kirstie has been in the banking industry for 18 years and previously held roles at GE Capital and Citi. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance and is a qualified ACCA accountant.

Alan Hodson

Chairman

Alan Hodson was appointed as Chairman in May 2019. Alan retired from UBS in June 2005, having been the Global Head of Equities, a member of the Executive Committee of UBS Investment Bank and of the UBS AG Group Managing Board.

He has since held positions on a variety of financial and charity boards, including as Chairman of Trustees of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Paul Berry

Non-Executive Director

Paul joined Charity Bank as a Non-Executive Director in June 2022.

Paul has previously worked for a number of large international corporate and investment banks in a variety of roles, predominantly in Risk Management. His most recent role was that of Chief Risk Officer for Mizuho International PLC. Prior to that Paul was Head of Financial Institutions Credit Risk in the Markets & International Banking division of the Royal Bank of Scotland and before that he held a number of senior Risk Management roles at the Dutch bank, ABN AMRO where he spent 7 years working in Amsterdam.

Paul has a MBA from City University Business School (now known as Bayes Business School).

Jonathan Britton

Non-Executive Director

Jonathan joined Charity Bank in June 2020. He is currently a Non-Executive Director at both Nomura Europe Holdings and The British Business Bank.

Jonathan has extensive experience of investment, corporate and retail banking. He was a member of the Executive Committee of UBS Investment Bank and of the UBS AG Group Management Board and Group Controller and Treasurer of Barclays Bank Plc. He was Finance Director and Head of Strategy for the Wholesale business of Lloyds Banking Group prior to his retirement in 2012.

He was a Trustee of Sparks, The Children’s medical research charity for 11 years and Chair for 5 years and has also served as a Director of the Business Disability Forum. Jonathan holds a degree in Engineering Science from Oxford University and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Jonathan has been awarded an OBE for services to Small Business Finance in the New Year Honours 2021.

Mike Crabb

Non-Executive Director

Mike was appointed as a non-executive director in 2017, and as senior independent non-executive director in 2022. He had been an advisor to the Charity Bank board credit committee since 2014.

Mike worked in investment and corporate banking in London, the Middle and Far East. He retired in 2015 as CEO of the South East Asian operations of an international bank where he also managed the group's international principal investment management portfolio. He has a wide experience of corporate lending and recovery, risk management and financial advisory.

Since 2019 Mike has also been a non-executive director of the Ocean Housing Group, a housing association and property developer in the west country, where he chairs the audit and risk committee.

Neil Heslop OBE

Non-Executive Director *

Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation Group: CAF in the UK, CAF America, CAF Canada, CAF Financial Solutions Ltd and CAF Bank.

Neil has a distinguished career in both business and the charitable sector. He joined the Charities Aid Foundation as Chief Executive in October 2020 from the international disability charity Leonard Cheshire, where he served as Chief Executive since 2016. Under Neil’s leadership, annual charitable contributions entrusted to CAF topped £1 billion for the first time and continue to grow. As a result, hundreds of thousands of charities in more than 100 countries have been supported to deliver lasting benefits in communities around the world. Neil has led CAF through the growth of the CAF International network of partners a global collaboration of independent philanthropic organisations dedicated to accelerating social progress across the world.

During 25 years in business Neil held senior leadership roles in the telecoms industry in North America and Europe. These include Head of Strategy and General Manager of Retail and Online at O2, CEO of Cincinnati Bell Wireless and Director of CTIA the Wireless Association. Neil is a law graduate from Newcastle University and holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management. In 2020 he was one of the first charity sector leaders to be invited onto the National Leadership Centre Public Leaders Programme.

Neil lost his sight aged 21 and is registered blind. He is a co-founder of the charity Blind In Business, a Trustee of ACEVO, a non-Executive Director of Charity Bank and a Foundation Member of Crown Agents. He was previously Co-Chair of the Disability Charities Consortium, a group of nine of the UK’s largest disability charities dedicated to promoting the rights and interests of 14 million disabled people. He acted as an advisor to the UK government on the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act in the 1990’s, which led to the Equalities Act 2010.

In 2002 Neil was awarded the OBE for services to British Telecommunications and charity.

* Nominated by Charities Aid Foundation

Caspar Mackay

Director of Credit

“My role is to support the Banking team in lending to social sector organisations. More than ever, people are dependent on these organisations for critical services.

“It is a great privilege to support the social sector and work for a bank for good.”

Caspar joined Charity Bank in June 2014, prior to which he worked for Big Issue Invest Limited, the social investment arm of The Big Issue Group, and HSBC. He has an MA from St Andrews University and MBA from INSEAD.

Caspar enjoys long walks, running, skiing, gardening, and travel.

Rebecca McDonald

Non-Executive Director **

Rebecca is currently Head of Investment Management at Big Society Capital, a leading UK social impact investor focusing on building an investment ecosystem that connects capital, expertise and ideas for better lives. Rebecca believes learning is essential to improve outcomes for people and the planet. She is the Chair of the CFA UK’s Impact and Investing Panel which is developing the world’s first impact investment qualification and part of the Impact Investing Institute’s Learning Panel.

Rebecca is also a member of Trust for London’s £360m Endowment Asset Allocation Committee and a Trustee of UK Youth, a leading youth charity focused on empowering young people.

She has spent time at M&G on secondment helping to develop its impact investment strategy and the launch of a £5bn global sustainable and impact mandate. Prior to Big Society Capital, Rebecca worked in the social sector and in the UK Government including developing policies for green finance, low-income workers and community assets.

** Nominated by Big Society Capital

Caroline Price

Non-Executive Director

Caroline Price was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in October 2020.

Caroline is currently an Executive Director at the Big Life group with responsibility for Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol services. The Big Life group is a large social enterprise working with more than 65,000 people each year in some of the most deprived areas in the north of England. Caroline joined Big Life Group in 2005 as Finance Director after roles in manufacturing, consultancy, and energy sectors.

Ambreen Shah

Non-Executive Director

Ambreen was appointed as Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in July 2021. Ambreen brings knowledge of social policy and strategy development, communications, grant funding and social/evaluative research.

Ambreen’s experience is primarily in the public and non-for-profit sector. From 2018-2020 she worked at the Design Council as Director of Policy, Research and Communications. A key part of this role was to evidence and effectively communicate the value of design to business, the public sector and place making professionals. Prior to the Design Council she worked for 12 years at the Big Lottery Fund (now National Lottery Community Fund). Here she supported a large programme of evaluative work and was involved in the policy development of a range of multi-million-pound grant funding programmes to the voluntary and community sector.

As Deputy Director of England, she and her team were responsible for the delivery of £500m of grant funding in England. She is a social researcher by background having completed her PhD on South Asian Muslims: Adjustments to British Citizenship in 2003. Ambreen is a proud mother of two girls and lives in London.

@ambreenashah www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ambreen-shah

Edward Siegel

Chief Executive

“I believe that banks have a critical social function to fulfil and that Charity Bank can be an agent for positive social change. We are filling a gap in the provision of mainstream finance through our specialist lending to charities and social enterprises. We’re also giving depositors a savings option that is not just ‘ethical’; we ensure that our savers’ funds are only invested in organisations dedicated to addressing disadvantage, improving lives and strengthening communities.”

Ed joined Charity Bank in July 2018 from the social impact investment fund manager, Big Issue Invest, where he was Managing Director for nearly ten years. Ed spent the early part of his career in commercial banking in the U.S. and was head of the Small Business Banking practice of ShoreBank International, where he managed small business loan funds and advised financial institutions in the developing world.

Ed has been a board member of several UK charities and social enterprises and was once Chair of the first microfinance bank in Belarus. He spends many a weekend watching his son and daughter play football and Fulham trying their best. Since seeing Queen at Madison Square Garden when he was 14 years old, Ed has been to well over 300 shows and still gets out to several gigs a year (though he now tends to stand at the back).

Toby Walter

Non-Executive Director **

Toby became a Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in December 2016.

Toby is currently Group Chief Transformation Officer for Lowell. Prior to Lowell, he held several senior roles at HSBC, including Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy for Global Private Banking at HSBC and Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy for Europe.

Before HSBC he was at Lloyds Banking Group (‘LBG’), where he was Home Insurance Director and led a transformation of the Home Insurance business across LBG’s multiple brands and distribution channels increasing market share and improving customer service. Toby was Director of LBG’s Group Chief Executive Office where he provided support and counsel to the Group CEO during a period of significant restructuring and turnaround of the bank to profitability, dividends and selling government owned shares.

Toby is a Chartered Accountant and has extensive banking experience, having held leadership positions across private equity, leveraged finance, portfolio management, corporate banking, digital, treasury and trading. He enjoys all sports and has coached junior-rugby for 13 years.

** Nominated by Big Society Capital

Yashmin Harun BEM

Non-Executive Director

Yashmin Harun BEM was appointed as Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in June 2024. Yashmin is the founding Chair of the Muslimah Sports Association (MSA), a charity that aims to empower Muslim women through sports. Yashmin is also an Independent Non-Executive Director at British Fencing, an elected Director at the London FA, an FA National Game Board member, an FA Council Member, and Chair of Frenford and MSA WFC. She has recently been appointed by the GLA as a trustee for London Sport. Yashmin has over 20 years of banking experience and currently works for SMBC BI, and has recently completed her Master’s in Global Public Policy. Her most recent awards include the Asian Woman of Achievement Award for Sports and The National Diversity Award in 2023. Yashmin has recently been appointed to the Islamophobia Taskforce group led by Kick It Out and Baroness Syeda Warsi.

Prashant Solanky

Non-Executive Director

Prashant brings knowledge of social enterprise, housing, grant and loan funding, and has over 20 years experience delivering equitable urban housing and infrastructure domestically and in Africa and Asia. He works at the Greater London Authority (GLA) leading the investment portfolio in North-East London for the Mayor’s £4bn Affordable Housing Programme. Prior to the GLA, Prashant worked at Reall (formerly Homeless International), where he led investment into social-enterprises across Africa and Asia to accelerate their growth and impact. Prashant has also spent a number of years working alongside NGOs and local communities in India, to set-up social enterprises and networks to lobby for and deliver more equitable housing and infrastructure in cities. Prashant is a board member for Architecture Sans Frontieres, an organisation that supports communities and practitioners in co-designing more equitable cities.