A new Access to Credit Sub-Committee met for the first time on Monday to prioritise actions and develop ideas for interventions to improve access to credit.

Chaired by Fair4All Finance CEO Kate Pender with representatives from a range of financial institutions and consumer groups, the Sub-Committee is one of three set up as part of the Government’s Financial Inclusion Committee.

The Sub-Committee will explore measures to help people in financially vulnerable circumstances access affordable credit to support the development of a National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

As part of Kate’s role as Chair of the Sub-Committee, Fair4All Finance will ensure that a wider group of stakeholders have the opportunity to feed into the development of proposals.

‘Access to responsible and affordable credit is a key part of helping people across the country manage their money, build their financial resilience and play a full part in society.

I’m delighted to be chairing the Access to Credit Sub-Committee and feel honoured to be joined by members who bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to the table, including the perspectives of those with lived experience of financial exclusion.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Government, partners and cross-sector stakeholders to develop a credit market that works for all customers, particularly those in financially vulnerable circumstances.’

Kate Pender, CEO of Fair4All Finance

The full membership of the Access to Credit Sub-Committee is as follows:

Adam Lishman – Chief Customer Officer, TSB

Alison Walters – Director (Interim), Consumer Finance, FCA

Brian Holland – Director, Customer Vulnerability, Controls, Remediation, NatWest

Caroline Richardson – CEO, Cardiff and Vale Credit Union

Charles Randell CBE – Commissioner, Financial Inclusion Commission

Eric Leenders – Managing Director, Personal Finance and Prudential, Reporting and Taxation, UK Finance

James Dipple-Johnstone – Interim Chief Ombudsman, Financial Ombudsman Service

Jonathan Westley – Chief Data Officer UK&I, Experian

Marlene Shiels OBE – CEO, Capital Credit Union (Scotland); Non Exec Director, MaPS

Michelle Highman – CEO, The Money Charity

Noyona Chundur – CEO, NI Consumer Council

Paul Norgrove – CEO, Serve and Protect Credit Union; President, Association of British Credit Unions Limited (ABCUL)

Sian Williams – CEO, Switchback; End User Advisory Council, Pay UK

Steve Weston – Head of Everyday Money Management, Barclays

Tim Rooney – CEO, Salad Money and Responsible Finance Board Member

Tom Riley – Director of Retail Products, Nationwide

Vikki Brownridge – CEO, StepChange