Meet the team
We’re a small team working with community development finance institutions (CDFIs) across the UK to strengthen the responsible finance sector, champion its impact and help more people, businesses and communities access fair and affordable finance.
Theodora Hadjimichael
Chief Executive
Theo has led Responsible Finance as Chief Executive since 2019, championing greater investment in CDFIs and helping the sector grow its reach and impact across the UK.
She joined Responsible Finance in 2013, initially leading our policy and research work. During that time, she helped build the evidence base for CDFIs, represented the sector to policymakers and contributed to the growing national conversation about inclusive finance. 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 Hart
Finance & Operations Manager
Rai keeps Responsible Finance running smoothly behind the scenes. She leads our financial management, operational systems and regulatory compliance, including our FCA responsibilities, and works closely with the team and Board to support the organisation’s financial health and effective governance.
Rai joined Responsible Finance in 2022 and has since held roles across administration, member support, finance and operations. Her experience spans the private and public sectors, including programme and training delivery, finance and client support. Before joining Responsible Finance, she managed an IT business, giving her experience across sales, marketing, operations and project delivery.
Rai works Monday to Thursday.
Francis Evans
Policy & Research Lead
Francis joined Responsible Finance in September 2026, covering Eleanor’s role while she is on maternity leave.
He was previously Head of Business Finance Policy at the Department for Business, where he worked closely with HM Treasury and the British Business Bank on access to fair finance for businesses across the country. Through that work, he developed a strong appreciation of the contribution CDFIs make and the potential for the sector to do even more.
Francis has worked across policy areas including economic growth, engineering and manufacturing skills, the automotive sector and motorsport. He also spent three years on secondment as Chief Executive of the Learning Grid, an independent charity supporting educational initiatives in science, technology and engineering. Before becoming a civil servant, Francis founded and ran an engineering business serving the automotive sector.
He lives in Herefordshire with his wife and daughter.
Eleanor Russell
Policy & Research Manager
Eleanor manages policy and research work focused on improving access to finance for underserved people and entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of the UK’s CDFI sector.
Since joining Responsible Finance in 2017, she has represented the sector with government and regulators and built evidence to demonstrate the role CDFIs can play in creating a fairer and more inclusive financial system. Eleanor also leads our member data collection and annual industry impact report.
Eleanor is currently on maternity leave until May 2027. For policy and research enquiries, please contact Francis.
Jamie Veitch
External Communications Lead
Jamie helps tell the story of responsible finance, generating press and media coverage for Responsible Finance, our members and the people and businesses they support.
Working with us on a freelance consultancy basis, Jamie is a regular co-author of our annual reports, contributes to our newsletters and CPD training and produces and presents the Responsible Finance podcast.
Alongside his work with Responsible Finance, Jamie provides communications support to social enterprises and values-driven businesses across the UK. He is also the author of The Social Entrepreneur’s Guide to Winning Public Sector Tenders and presents a weekly FM radio programme in Sheffield.
Matt Woodcock
Membership Director
Matt leads our work with Responsible Finance members, making sure they receive high-quality support and helping create the conditions for CDFIs to grow.
He is also Programme Director for the JPMorganChase-funded Building Foundations, Accelerating Growth programme and leads our wider programme and project delivery.
Matt joined Responsible Finance in 2024 following an extensive career in programme delivery in the UK Civil Service, working across the Department for Education, Defra and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Before joining the Civil Service, Matt worked in e-learning and oversaw the introduction of a membership and virtual learning platform used by more than 70,000 school leaders across England.
Rachel Collins
Senior Programme Manager
Rachel works across our programmes to strengthen and grow the CDFI sector and is our lead contact for social enterprise CDFIs.
She joined Responsible Finance in 2025 and works on the Building Foundations, Accelerating Growth programme.
Rachel brings experience managing UK innovation projects, grant-funded programmes and contracted services in the youth sector. She has worked with a wide range of charities and not-for-profit organisations, as well as the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Rachel works Monday to Thursday.
Mehdi Ouhaddou
Programme Manager
Mehdi works across programmes designed to help CDFIs grow their capacity and impact. He leads key projects within the JPMorganChase-funded Building Foundations, Accelerating Growth programme, alongside work supporting our personal and microfinance members.
He joined Responsible Finance in 2025 after working as an Investment Officer, supporting social enterprises and charities across Greater Manchester with funding and advice.
Mehdi also brings extensive experience in data and geospatial analysis, particularly using evidence to inform public policy and social impact strategies.
Jess Davey
Social Media Lead
Jess started working with the Responsible Finance team in 2025. She leads on Responsible Finance’s social channels, telling the stories of CDFIs, their customers and the difference they make in communities across the UK.
She works as a digital marketing executive at Phonetic Digital and has a Master’s degree in Marketing, bringing experience in creating engaging digital content and campaigns that help grow awareness and understanding of CDFIs and their work.
Kat Kenobi
Project Support Officer
Kat works across Responsible Finance’s projects, communications and member activities, helping turn ideas into practical delivery and supporting programmes that enable CDFIs to grow their reach and impact.
She joined Responsible Finance in October 2025 and brings experience spanning project coordination, stakeholder engagement, communications and process improvement across the charity and commercial sectors.
Earlier in her career, Kat worked in debt advice, giving her first-hand professional insight into the challenges people can face when trying to access appropriate financial support. She is particularly interested in how good systems, evidence and communication can help mission-led organisations deliver greater social impact.