Alex Welsh

Youth Investment Fund Relationship Manager

I support organisations that have applied for a Youth Investment Fund grant, through the application and assessment process – to increase opportunities for young people.

With a handful of years in the youth sector and an MA in Global Development, I have always loved advocating for others and helping people get to where they want to be.

Key Fund takes chances on people that otherwise get passed over, and we do it with purpose.

• alex.welsh@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Andrew Chapman

Investment Manager

30 year career in the finance sector with HSBC. Experience includes relationship management, assessing loan requests, managing teams.

I wanted to work for Key Fund because I hoped that I would be able to use my financial skills and knowledge to help organisations obtain funding to enable them to deliver services.

• Andrew.Chapman@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Andy Croft

Investment Manager

Over the course of my 10 years at Key Fund, I have played a significant role in supporting clients to secure tailored social investments. Through my passion and commitment, clients in the Midlands have been able to move forward and create a powerful social impact.

My particular passion is supporting organisations providing secure housing for the homeless, and I have enjoyed considerable success in this area.

• Andy.Croft@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Brian Coghlan

Investment Manager

As the North East Investment Manager, my role is to help and advice organisation seeking to understand and /or access Social Investment Finance for both new and existing projects.

I am able to offer people my extensive experience in both financial and business management across a range of sectors. Until recently I was treasurer of National Association of Community and Voluntary Action.

Having come from a large Corporate environment it is really refreshing to see how people can achieve some much locally with a little help and support.

• Brian.Coghlan@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Chris Colwell

Lead Investment Manager

I have been managing client relationships and lending for over 15 years. Besides supporting organizations that apply for funding, I also maintains important relationships with our existing clients.

I enjoy the diversity of our client base and take great satisfaction in seeing the positive impact they have on their communities.

• Chris.Colwell@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Dave Thornett

Business Development Manager

I’ve spent most of my working life working in social enterprise, starting in a small development and buildings preservation trust, eventually managing a multi service sector support agency. Now in my 30^th year in the sector, I have been a director of many social enterprises, taking in recycling, childcare, employment support and social investment. Dave is currently Chair of Zest, a development trust in Sheffield and a shareholder of The Gardeners Rest community pub.

I work for Key Fund because the organisation exists to fund high impact organisations in areas of complex, intersecting need and because it provides the opportunity to learn from and engage with a huge range of people within and supporting enterprising communities.

• Dave.Thornett@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Donna Jones

Chief Finance Officer

I have been working in finance for 28 years, with nearly 20 years experience of senior finance roles.   I originally trained in private practice, and gained my ACCA qualification in 2001 before making the move into heavy industry in 2003.

As Chief Finance Officer, I manage a finance team of five. Operating in a flat structure is really important to me, and I try and make my team supportive and close.  I enjoy working in the management team to ensure our collective business mission.

• Donna.Jones@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Ewa Szerszeniewska

Social Impact and Data Support

I graduated economic school with a specialization in Finance and Accounting. I have worked in various industries and places, most often in positions related to finance and administration. For several years I also worked as a team leader.

I am very proud to be part of the Key Fund team. We work with clients who motivate and inspire us to change our everyday life. I am happy I can support them to make a positive difference in their communities.

• ewa.szerszeniewska@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 20 20 559
• Sheffield

Faye Mallon

Investment Manager

Having previously worked on the Youth Investment Fund, I now work with organisations that have applied for investment in the North West.

I am keen to use my experience the finance, legal and education sectors to empower clients throughout the application process and beyond.

I enjoy working for Key Fund as we are driven to bring about positive social impact – it’s especially rewarding learning about the lives of the people that are changed for the better as a result of the work our clients do.

• faye.mallon@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Ged Devlin

Development Manager \ Lead Relationship Manager

I work to support Key Fund to develop both new investment and business opportunities. I work with the team of relationship managers who are assessing and managing capital grant investments as part of the Youth Investment Fund.

I have 15 plus years of working in the social economy, after working in corporate finance and studying law, I’ve worked on a variety of projects – big and small – helping community and social enterprises thrive and grow.

Key Fund holds a special place in the social investment sector, with inspiration provided by our clients.

• Ged.Devlin@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Gemma Griffin

Investments & Operations Support

I have worked at Key Fund for 8 years and in that time I have worked across different departments, giving an insight into the different sides of social investment.

I started as an apprentice at Key Fund having previously tried out apprenticeships within other sectors including catering and health & social care.

I have remained at Key Fund ever since as it is a great place to work and within such an important sector. I love how diverse our clients are and speaking to the range of different people who benefit from Key Fund and our client’s work is really heart-warming.

• Gemma.Griffin@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Holly Spencer

Finance and Operations Support

I started out at Key Fund as a Social Investment Assistant after working for several years in hospitality. I have now progressed to Finance and Operations Support. My work experience offers a real-world perspective on some of the financial challenges and pressures that our clients face when it comes to running an organisation, while my new academic understanding offers insights into how we can help overcome these issues.

I chose to work at the Key Fund because it takes its values of redressing imbalances and empowering the community seriously. I want to see my community thrive and this is only possible when firms take the approach that Key Fund does, where social capital matters as much as financial capital.

• holly.spencer@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 20 20 559
• Sheffield

James Heeley

Management Accountant

I studied Accounts and Finance Management at Sheffield Hallam University, and after a few temp roles, I finally found his home at Key Fund in June 2014.  I  assist with all things finance related at Key Fund.

I enjoy being part of a team who can have such a positive social impact on deprived communities, helping organisations that may otherwise struggle to obtain financial help.

• James.Heeley@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 20 20 559
• Sheffield

Jane Austin

Head of Operations

I oversee all operations including HR, marketing and governance. Playing a crucial role in shaping Key Fund’s values and culture, Janes’s focus centres on ensuring staff thrive and feel valued. 

With a background in management, in HR and L&D in particular, I will soon be celebrating 20 years in social enterprise here at Key Fund.

I love the values at Key Fund and how they inform how we do business; putting people at the heart of what we do, and ultimately creating a powerful impact.

• jane.austin@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Laura Kelly

Operations Support

I am the lead for marketing and communications, HR support, defrayment support and the day-to-day running of the office.

I have a degree in Early Years and Primary Education along with 10 years of experience working within administration and recruitment-based roles across various sectors.

I believe Key Fund is an amazing and supportive place to work with a team who truly cares about the work they do. I enjoy playing my part in making a difference for those who need it most and reaching out to those communities who need our help.

• Laura.Kelly@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Matt Smith CBE

CEO

I have a background in psychology and counselling, but have worked at Key Fund for over 20 years. Over the years I have worked with numerous funds, organisations and government departments to develop new funds and programmes to support community and social enterprises.

I am motivated by the values, the people I am privileged to work with, and the amazing impact that our investees have – they really do truly impactful things in some of the most challenging areas.

• Matt.Smith@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Naomi Sampson

Investment Manager

As an Investment Manager my role is support community organisations and charities to apply for Key Fund investment to maximise their social impact. Based in Sheffield I focus on the South Yorkshire area.

With 20 years of experience working in the charity sector, I am big fan of community action and helping people bring about positive change within communities.

Key Fund is driven by, and true to its values, to catalyse social impact.

• naomi.sampson@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Nitya Teagarajan

Youth Investment Fund Relationship Manager

I joined Key Fund in March 2023 to work on the Youth Investment Fund as a Relationship Manager. I joined Key Fund after some years working at the National Lottery Community Fund.

I am keen to see more collaboration creating outcomes for people and organisations and for funding distributed more equitably across diverse communities. I am a passionate advocate for gender equality and is motivated by conversations, ideas and work that creates positive change in society.

• nitya.teagarajan@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Sarah Jamieson

Energy Resilience Fund Project Manager

I lead on our Energy Resilience Fund, supporting our delivery partners and clients from application through to investment, helping organisations to reduce their energy costs through retrofit solutions.

Previously I have worked in grant funding and enterprise education. I believe in empowering people to create the kind of communities they want to live in, social responsibility and living sustainably.

Key Fund really lives its values and is a supportive and forward-thinking place to be.

• sarah.jamieson@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield

Stephen Hodgson

Outreach Finance Support

I support clients with any accounting issues they may have, and as part of the finance team, I prepare management accounts for one of the subsidiaries, collecting direct debits etc.

I am a CIMA qualified accountant with many years experience in industry and agriculture, before moving over to the social sector.

Key Fund is a great place to work, committed to delivering a positive social impact, with a caring team.

• Stephen.Hodgson@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 20 20 559
• Sheffield

Susan Connor

Youth Investment Fund Relationship Manager

I joined Key Fund on secondment from The National Lottery Community Fund, in January 2024 to work on the Youth Investment Fund as a Relationship Manager.

Having worked at The Fund for 17 year and on social investment for around eight years, this opportunity has given me a chance to reconnect with grant making in a different way, particularly where young people will benefit from improved services and opportunities, right around the country.

Key Fund is a great organisation that puts the needs of people and communities at the forefront of everything we do.

• susan.connor@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 20 20 559
• Sheffield

Tom Bostock

Investment manager

I recently joined Key Fund as an Investment Manager, with a focus on the Midlands. I previously worked in retail banking along with roles in charities and third sector enterprises.

I want to use my experience in financial wellbeing, client relationship building and knowledge of social challenges, to enable enterprises to reach more beneficiaries, through collaboration and a shared drive to make a difference.

• tom.bostock@thekeyfund.co.uk
• 0330 202 0559
• Sheffield