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Meet the Team and Trustees

Victoria Papworth, CEO

Victoria joined S&CC in 2023, having previously worked as a Director in the philanthropy team at Coutts, and from an earlier career in the charity sector. Her previous roles have all been about building grant and loan finance options for funders, charities and social enterprises, getting funding out to amazing locally-rooted organisations who are delivering positive social impact. She enjoys helping funders to give effectively and purposefully to the causes they care about.

With 15+ years’ experience as a Trustee of not-for-private-profit organisations, often with responsibility for income generation and strategic development. Pro bono advice to private clients, charities, social enterprises and Government departments around strategic funding and systemic change.

Currently a member of the Enterprise Grants Taskforce for the School for Social Entrepreneurs.

Novice scuba diver, devoted dog owner, curious traveller and stubborn optimist.

Megan Virrels, Special Advisor

Megan joined S&CC in 2014, after 7 years working in structured finance for the Royal Bank of Scotland and 8 years at JP Morgan.

Over the past 5 years, S&CC has approved over £10m in funding to more than 80 organisations and launched a number of key funds, including the Coronavirus Response Fund, which offered £1m of grants to help organisations continue to deliver support for the disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Alongside leading S&CC, Megan supports those who have difficulty accessing mainstream finance through her role as a non-executive Director at Scotcash CIC. Outside of work, she loves experimenting with new recipes on her husband and stepsons, working off the food by walking the lockdown lab, Guinness and planning holidays home and abroad.

Tracy Thomson, Loans Officer

With over 30 years in banking, and more than 20 in relationship management, Tracy’s experience of supporting businesses in delivering commercial and impact growth is well-known in the world of social enterprise.

An advocate for building close relationships with customers, Tracy has recently completed 3 years supporting community-led partnerships as a Trustee on the board of the Development Trusts Association Scotland.  Tracy was a part of the 2020 Enterprise Relief Grant Fund, supporting those responding to the impact of Covid.

When not being a doting aunt to her nieces and nephews, Tracy can be found following Formula 1, keeping a watchful eye over her 2 beautiful cats or off seeing the world with her husband, Mike.

Brendan Hegarty, Loans Officer

Brendan brings over 15 years’ banking experience to his role as Loans Officer. Through understanding of the banks values and needs of the customer, in his previous role, he has supported struggling businesses and helped them overcome challenges enabling them to thrive. Brendan is excited and keen to bring these skills to support social enterprises. Brendan believes in giving back to the community, and has delivered NatWest’s Money Sense in schools in Manchester. He has volunteered and supported to run several charitable events in Manchester for both the Bank and externally. 

When he’s not doing daddy taxi duties, Brendan enjoys exploring new hiking trails with his partner or planning an off-grid getaway in the UK or overseas. Music has always played a big part in his life and he strongly lives by this quote - “Music breaks down barriers and brings people from all walks of life together without prejudice.”

Andrew Harrison, Chair of Trustees

Andrew is Head of Customer Propositions & Delivery at NatWest. He has had a varied career in the bank including leadership positions in Business Banking, Corporate Banking and Structured Finance.  Andrew has held a number of board positions across the charity and public sectors.

Ben Smith, Vice Chair

Ben is Head of Impact Investing at Australia’s largest foundation – Paul Ramsay Foundation. Alongside his role at PRF, he holds the position of Impact Investor in Residence and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Flinders University in Adelaide. Prior to joining PRF, Ben was Head of Social and Impact Investment at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Ben previously established UnLtd’s social investment department and first funds. Other notable activities in the space include co-authoring the CFA UK’s Impact and Investing Certificate, founding and chairing Australia’s Foundations Group for Impact Investing, co-Chairing the UK’s Social Impact Investors Group and lecturing on Social Finance at Cranfield University and University of Westminster.

John Dixon, Trustee

John is the Co-Head of Corporate Banking for NatWest in London and the South East. Having been a senior governor in maintained schools for + 10 years, John is currently chair of trustees for the charity of a special schools MAT. He is a Chartered Banker Green & Sustainable Finance Professional.

Parita Doshi, Trustee

Parita is the Deputy Director of ‘A Healthy Life’ mission at Nesta, developing innovative solutions to tackle obesity and loneliness across the UK. Prior to this, she has worked with social enterprises in the health and social care sectors, with a focus on operational and strategic delivery and impact management. Outside of work, she loves getting close to nature, meditating and eating (and sometimes cooking) delicious food.

Anshu Mandal, Trustee

Anshu has held various roles in the impact investment sector over the past 9 years. She is currently a Business Advisor at Shell Foundation, where she directly supports a portfolio of pioneering ventures tackling global developmental challenges through enterprise-based solutions. She also works with financial intermediaries to unlock more capital into impact sectors.

Josh Meek, Trustee

Josh is Head of Impact & Sustainability at Unity Trust Bank and a member of S&CC’s credit panel. With previous experience at Big Issue Invest and UnLtd, he has worked in both the UK and east Africa across a wide range of sectors, working directly with businesses to develop sustainable plans and understand their social impact.

Ash Mohammed, Trustee

Ash is currently the Head of Ventures & Change Oversight for Natwest Group. He has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry, holding positions in Payments, Retail Products, Risk and Change. He is currently the Chair of a Scottish charity Move On and is the Diversity & Inclusion lead for Risk.

Debbie Phillips, Trustee

Debbie is Head of Campaigns at NatWest, as well as being the Global Chair of the NatWest Gender Network. Externally, Debbie is a member of WACLs Communication Committee, a member of BLOOM, and a Brownie Guide Leader.