Money where it matters with Theodora Hadjimichael, Responsible Finance

Finance and credit play a big part in our lives. Removing or preventing access to them is hugely disruptive, as today's guest explains.

Without fit-for-purpose finance on fair terms, businesses and social enterprises can't grow, create jobs or deliver vital frontline services, and millions of households are prey for loan sharks.

Community development finance institutions (CDFIs) address the damaging lack of appropriate finance faced by many people, businesses and social enterprises. Responsible Finance represents CDFIs, and CEO Theodora Hadjimichael describes the uneven financial landscape in the UK, and:

• how her members work to get the right finance to under-served businesses and financially excluded people
• why Responsible Finance is like a 'coach' for its members
• mapping policy work to direct results, whether that's influencing Government, securing investment, working with partners and changing lives for 70,000 people every year
• how Responsible Finance measures its own and the sector's impact
• her own journey to becoming CEO of the organisation.

What next?

• Responsible Finance's website is www.responsiblefinance.org.uk  
• Its latest impact report is at https://responsiblefinance.org.uk/2022/05/changing-lives  
• Its members are listed in full and with geographical and sector-specific (eg social enterprise, business, personal) filters at www.findingfinance.org.uk
• More about Heidi's work at  https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk