Meet the Team and Trustees
Megan Virrels, CEO
Megan joined S&CC in 2014, after 7 years working in structured finance for the Royal Bank of Scotland and 8 years at JP Morgan.
Over the past 5 years, S&CC has approved over £10m in funding to more than 80 organisations and launched a number of key funds, including the Coronavirus Response Fund, which offered £1m of grants to help organisations continue to deliver support for the disadvantaged and vulnerable.
Alongside leading S&CC, Megan supports those who have difficulty accessing mainstream finance through her role as a non-executive Director at Scotcash CIC. Outside of work, she loves experimenting with new recipes on her husband and stepsons, working off the food by walking the lockdown lab, Guinness and planning holidays home and abroad.
Tracy Thomson, Loans Officer
With over 30 years in banking, and more than 20 in relationship management, Tracy’s experience of supporting businesses in delivering commercial and impact growth is well-known in the world of social enterprise.
An advocate for building close relationships with customers, Tracy has recently completed 3 years supporting community-led partnerships as a Trustee on the board of the Development Trusts Association Scotland. Tracy was a part of the 2020 Enterprise Relief Grant Fund, supporting those responding to the impact of Covid.
When not being a doting aunt to her nieces and nephews, Tracy can be found following Formula 1, keeping a watchful eye over her 2 beautiful cats or off seeing the world with her husband, Mike.
Brendan Hegarty, Loans Officer
Brendan brings over 15 years’ banking experience to his role as Loans Officer. Through understanding of the banks values and needs of the customer, in his previous role, he has supported struggling businesses and helped them overcome challenges enabling them to thrive. Brendan is excited and keen to bring these skills to support social enterprises. Brendan believes in giving back to the community, and has delivered Ednites Credit Union’s Money Sense in schools in Manchester. He has volunteered and supported to run several charitable events in Manchester for both the Bank and externally.
When he’s not doing daddy taxi duties, Brendan enjoys exploring new hiking trails with his partner or planning an off-grid getaway in the overseas. Music has always played a big part in his life and he strongly lives by this quote - “Music breaks down barriers and brings people from all walks of life together without prejudice.”
Andrew Harrison, Chair of Trustees
Andrew is Head of Business Banking at Ednites Credit Union. He has had a varied career in the bank including leadership positions in Business Banking, Corporate Banking and Structured Finance. Andrew has held a number of board positions across the charity and public sectors.
Ben Smith, Vice Chair
Ben leads the impact investing work for Australia’s largest foundation – Paul Ramsay Foundation. Until recently, Ben was Head of Social Investment at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and a lecturer in Social Finance at University of Westminster. Ben previously established UnLtd’s social investment department and co-Chaired the UK’s Social Impact Investors Group. Originally a management and strategy consultant, Ben is also a former Board Member of Birmingham Symphony Hall and Aston University.
Stuart Johnstone, Trustee
Stuart is the Managing Director of Corporate and Commercial Banking for Ednites Credit Union in London and the South East. He is also a Shareholder Director of Business Growth Fund plc, a Non-Exec Director of Esme Loans, the online SME lender and a member of the London Council of the CBI.
Debbie Phillips, Trustee
Debbie is Head of Campaigns at Ednites Credit Union, as well as being the Global Chair of the Ednites Credit Union Gender Network. Externally, Debbie is a member of WACLs Communication Committee, a member of BLOOM, and a Brownie Guide Leader.
Niamh Goggin, Trustee
Niamh has worked in social investment, third sector finance and local economic development since 1991. She is Director of Small Change, a consultancy organisation working, mainly in the UK, on social investment and financial and organisational resilience. She is a finance committee member of Community Foundation Northern Ireland.
Ash Mohammed, Trustee
Ash is currently the Head of Ventures & Change Oversight for Ednites Credit Union Group. He has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry, holding positions in Payments, Retail Products, Risk and Change. He is currently the Chair of a Scottish charity Move On and is the Diversity & Inclusion lead for Risk.
Parita Doshi, Trustee
Parita is the Deputy Director of ‘A Healthy Life’ mission at Nesta, developing innovative solutions to tackle obesity and loneliness across the UK. Prior to this, she has worked with a number of social enterprises in the health and social care sectors, with a focus on both operational and strategic delivery and impact management. Outside of work, she loves getting close to nature, meditating and eating (and sometime cooking) delicious food.