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.

Chris Tweedie

Small Loans Programme Manager

Smaller Loans Programme Team

“I have overall responsibility for Charity Bank’s Small Loans Portfolio throughout the UK. My colleagues and I work to help organisations with their sustainability, so that they can continue to support their beneficiary groups.

“I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work alongside organisations who make such a positive difference to our society.”

Chris joined Charity Bank in December 2014. Prior to that she worked for an ethical bank as a relationship manager for a number of years, working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), charities and social sector organisations.

Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, pilates classes and walking in the beautiful countryside.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Lee Jagger

Regional Manager

North Lending Team

“My role involves representing Charity Bank to attract new clients, lenders, depositors, and investors. In addition, I create and establish long term, trusted relationships with our borrowers.

“Supporting our borrowers with an idea or concept they have, and seeing it become a reality and the social impact it generates is incredibly motivating.”

Lee has worked in the Banking sector for over 25 years, with the last nine years spent in the social economy as a regional and national manager. In February 2019, he joined Charity Bank as regional manager to support borrowers across the Midlands. Lee has previously worked with commercial and corporate companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as specialising in social sector organisations.

Lee is the former President of a Chamber of Trade & Commerce, which became one of only a handful in the country to convert to CIC status. Outside of work he volunteers at various charities, including a local children’s hospice.

For the past four years he has taken part in WOLF (Water Obstacles Lakes & Fields) runs, achieving Alpha Wolf status for the last two years. He also enjoys hiking; you will tend to find him up a hill or mountain somewhere!

Justin Hort

Head of Savings

“My role is focused on providing ethically minded savers with savings accounts which meet their needs and in turn enable Charity Bank to make loans to charities and social enterprises across the UK.”

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 needs of businesses and charities.

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.

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

Justin Halls

Savings Manager

“My role as the Savings Manager 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 Officer

“My role is to ensure Charity Bank continues to provide a great service to our savers. A huge part of my role is to assist in the development of our processes, to achieve the most efficient output that benefits our savers’ experience whilst saving with a bank for good.”

Claire joined Charity Bank in 2013 following nine years in a small family run financial services firm. Over the last seven years with the bank, she has become a key member of the Savings department, previously supporting as an interim Savings Manager.

Claire endeavours to move the Savings department forward with the latest technology whilst maintaining core Charity Bank values that differentiate us from other banks, which include offering a personal and direct service where possible.

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

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.

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.

Nick Murray

Savings Administrator

“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.

George Roff

Savings Administrator

“My role is to help customers understand our savings products and answer any questions that they may have. I enjoy making each customer feel welcomed and providing them with a personalised service.”

George joined Charity Bank in 2018 and is now part of the Savings Team. He has previously worked a variety of jobs in the leisure industry prior to joining Charity Bank.

George enjoys a variety of sports outside of work and is an avid fan of Liverpool Football Club.

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).

Malcolm Elliott

Support Services Director

“My role is to ensure that the bank as a whole delivers our mission to our customers by implementing effective governance arrangements, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our service to customers through development of technology and infrastructure, and providing support for the CEO and Executive Committee on operational transition of the business.”

Malcolm has over 30 years' experience in the banking and insurance sectors. He started his career in banking at RBS and Chase Manhattan which was followed by a period in the banking supervision teams at the Bank of England/Financial Services Authority (FSA). He subsequently moved to the insurance sector where he held positions as Risk Director with Legal & General, in its Mortgage Distribution Company and its Wealth Management division, before joining Just Retirement as its Head of Risk Reporting.

He has supported Charity Bank since its creation, initially at the FSA where he was involved with its authorisation and then as a volunteer member of Audit and Risk Committee. Between 2012 and 2020 he was Charity Bank’s Deputy CEO and Chief Risk Officer.

He is married with three grown up children. He was a trustee of Allergy UK from 2016-2020. In his spare time he enjoys gardening, films, going for walks, and reading.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Michael Southwell

Finance Director (Designate)

“My role is to ensure Charity Bank continues to grow and develop with a stable and secure financial base. I enjoy seeing the bank match the needs of our borrowers and the ethical desire of our savers.”

Michael comes with extensive experience in finance and risk management with particular expertise in regulatory reporting, capital modelling and asset-liability management. He has held a variety of financial management roles at both established high street banks and start-up challenger banks in the UK. Michael also worked for a number of years in community and ethical banking in Australia, where he was born and raised, and is looking forward to his return to the sector.

Outside of work, Michael is an aspiring artist and loves to cook.

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. He is the Chairman of JP Morgan Elect plc and a non-executive Director of Harbourvest Global Private Equity.

Mike Crabb

Non-Executive Director

Mike was appointed as a non-executive director in January 2017. He has been an advisor to the Charity Bank board credit committee since June 2014.

Mike was most recently at Standard Bank, where he served as Chief Executive of Standard Merchant Bank (Asia) Ltd., based in Singapore, and also managed the bank’s principal investment management portfolio.

He has a wide experience of corporate and investment banking, having previously been at CIBC World Markets. As well as the business development side, he has also sat on risk committees for both institutions, and managed several large recoveries. Mike has worked in the Middle East, Asia and UK and is a non-executive director of Ocean Housing Group Ltd.

David Godfrey CBE

Non-Executive Director

David Godfrey was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in August 2013.

David recently retired from his position as Chief Executive of UK Export Finance (ECGD). Prior to taking up the role of CEO, David had been Chief Risk Officer at Pension Insurance Corporation, a speciality insurer of defined benefit pension schemes.

He has extensive experience of corporate banking and insurance, having held posts as Head of Risk for the Wholesale Banking Division at Lloyds Banking Group from 2009 to 2011 and as a member of the Executive Board of Swiss Re. At Swiss Re he was also Chief Risk Officer for the Financial Services Group.

David has also held positions with JP Morgan in London and New York and prior to that, with Bankers Trust Company.

Anna Shiel

Non-Executive Director

Anna Shiel was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in April 2014.

Anna is currently Senior Investment Director at Big Society Capital. Big Society Capital is an independent financial institution with a social mission, set up to help grow the social investment market, so that charities and social enterprises who want to borrow money, or take on investment, can access the finance they need to do more.

Before joining Big Society Capital in 2012, Anna was a Director in Merrill Lynch’s Financial Institutions Group with responsibility for UK financial sector coverage. She spent twelve years at Merrill Lynch, providing strategic advice to banks, insurers and asset managers and working on an extensive range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and IPOs.

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 Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy for Global Private Banking at HSBC. Toby joined HSBC in 2017 as Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy for Europe.

Prior to 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 mini-rugby for 10 years.

Charlotte Ravenscroft

Non-Executive Director

Charlotte Ravenscroft was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in June 2020.

Charlotte works as a consultant, advising charities on strategy, collaboration and external affairs. She draws on her experience working with major charities, charitable foundations and central government, to help organisations consider how they can best achieve their goals.

Previously, Charlotte was Head of Policy and Research at NCVO from 2012-2016. In this role, Charlotte played a key role in NCVO’s mission to champion the voluntary sector in England.

Prior to NCVO, Charlotte worked at the Department for Education and on secondment at the Big Lottery Fund helping to design its funding programmes for young people.

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.

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.

Neil Heslop

Non-Executive Director

Neil Heslop was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Charity Bank in December 2020.

With over 25 years in business, Neil has 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 lost his sight aged 21 and is a law graduate of Newcastle University. He holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

As a co-founder of the charity Blind In Business, Neil has served as a Trustee since 1992 and has acted as an advisor to the UK government on the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act. He latterly became CEO of international pan-disability charity Leonard Cheshire Disability in 2016.

Neil is Co-Chair of the Disability Charities Consortium, a group of the eight largest disability charities dedicated to promoting the rights and interests of 13 million disabled people in the UK.

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