Karen Hobson - Investment Manager

As a teen, she got involved with her local church when many of her peers fell into destructive paths. Her parents were immigrants to the UK. The church, combined with their strong values – especially her mother’s – instilled in her a strong work ethic and the foundation to gain a good education and better life prospects.

After graduating in Applied Social Studies at the University of Huddersfield, she worked in numerous roles as a Community Development Worker and at UnLtd before joining a charity – DanceSyndrome – supporting individuals with learning and physical disabilities to improve their life chances. She helped it grow to the next level. Following this, Karen went on to manage a town centre partnership. She feels particularly proud of the transformational work of DanceSyndrome and her previous roles gave Karen significant experience on the ground in community development, grant making, and managing third sector organisations.

Karen joined Key Fund in June 2018. Her background supporting social entrepreneurs and charities to improve capacity and growth, matched with her strong values, make her a natural fit. She is committed to creating social impact through all she does, even in the smallest of ways.

Family has always been her compass in life, growing up as one of five siblings and as a twin – now with her own young family. Knowing how supportive, caring structures can really make a life-changing difference, her mission is to make all who she works with to feel part of a family.

As investment manager, she covers central Yorkshire and the Humber.