Theo is Chief Executive of Responsible Finance. She joined RF in 2013 and let its policy and research work for six years – building the evidence based on CDFIs, briefing members, and helping shape the national conversation on inclusive finance.

Since becoming Chief Executive in 2019, she’s championed greater investment in the sector and supported members to grow their impact in communities across the UK.

Earlier in her career, Theo worked in economic development and community finance in the US.

She lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and daughter.

Rai joined Responsible Finance in March 2022, as Team Administrator and Bookkeeper.  After 18 months, she was promoted to Member Support Manager, then further promoted to Finance & Operations Manager.

In her current position, Rai leads on financial management, operational systems, and regulatory compliance, including RF’s FCA responsibilities.

She plays a key role in safeguarding the organisation’s financial health and operational efficiency, supporting both the team and the Board to ensure RF meets its legal and strategic commitments.

With experience in both the private and public sectors, Rai brings extensive knowledge in programme delivery, including designing and delivering training courses, finance and providing client support.

Prior to joining RF, she managed an IT business, gaining valuable experience in sales, marketing, operations, and project delivery across various sectors.

Rai works Monday to Thursday.

As Membership Director Matt is responsible for ensuring that Responsible Finance delivers high standards of service and support for all members, and for supporting the growth of the CDFI sector.

He is also the Programme Director for the JPMorgan Chase funded Building Foundations, Accelerating Growth capacity building programme and the lead on programme and project delivery.

Matt joined Responsible Finance in March 2024.  He is an experienced Programme Delivery professional who has successfully led the delivery of a diverse range of projects and programmes in the UK civil service, including the Department for Education, DEFRA and the Department for Health and Social Care.

Prior to his public sector career, Matt was an e-learning developer and in the late 2000s he oversaw the implementation of the first membership and virtual learning platform which was used by over 70,000 English school leaders.

Eleanor joined Responsible Finance in 2017 and has since worked in a policy role. She strives to boost access to finance for under-represented individuals and entrepreneurs by supporting the growth of the UK’s community development finance sector. She does this through representing the sector to the Government and the regulator.

As well as her focus on policy, Eleanor leads work on Responsible Finance’s member data collection and annual industry impact report.

Eleanor works Monday to Wednesday.

Mehdi joined Responsible Finance in March 2025 as a Programme Manager.
He will lead a number of key projects and workstreams as part of the JPMorganChase funded Building Foundations, Accelerating Growth Programme, as well as projects to support our personal and micro-lending members. Prior to joining Responsible Finance, Mehdi worked as an Investment Officer, supporting social enterprises and charities across Greater Manchester through targeted funding and advisory. He also brings extensive experience in data and geospatial analysis, particularly in applying these skills to inform public policy and social impact strategies.

Rachel joined Responsible Finance in May 2025 as a Programme Manager working on the Building Foundations, Accelerating Growth programme and is the lead contact for social enterprise CDFIs.
She has experience managing UK-based innovation projects, grant funded programmes and contracted services in the youth sector. Rachel has worked with a wide range of charities and not-for-profit organisations, as well as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Heidi works with Responsible Finance on a consultancy basis.  She is a multi award winning specialist in social enterprise and social impact.  She received an MBE for Services to Innovation in Social Enterprise and to Impact Measurement in the 2020 New Year Honours.

Heidi has worked with over 2,100 social enterprises, ranging from start-ups through to those with over £1 billion of income, supporting them to become more sustainable, develop their trading income and to better measure, manage and communicate the impact they have.

 

Jamie Veitch