About Us
We support organisations and people with the vision to change their communities for the better
Our Ambition
Our ambition is to create positive and lasting change in the communities that need it most. Our funding is targeted at communities located in the top 20% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation or Scottish Index of Deprivation and focused upon the North East of England and the City of Glasgow. We have learnt from organisations in these communities about the issues that if addressed would result in positive change for the local community. One of these issues is digital exclusion.
Tackling digital exclusion can result in a range of positive consequences for the communities we seek to champion. These include education and employment outcomes, financial inclusion and economic outcomes, healthcare outcomes and social outcomes.
We seek to build supportive and lasting relationships with the charities we fund and to partner with them in creating change.
Meet the Team
Nancy Doyle-Hall DL - Executive Director
Nancy worked in the charity sector for 15 years – most recently as Chief Executive of Oasis Community Housing - before joining Virgin Money Foundation in 2016 as its Executive Director.
She brings extensive knowledge of how charities effect change within local communities. Nancy is a Visiting Fellow of St John’s College, Durham and Trustee of The Common Room of the Great North. She graduated from Oxford University and has a postgraduate certificate in Charity Finance and Accountancy.
Rachel Kyle-Barclay - Grants and Learning Manager
Rachel provides a range of grant management support to the Foundation and leads on the Building Digital Skills Fund.
She previously worked at Future Builders England, a social investment fund, before spending eight years at Northern Rock Foundation. Rachel is also Vice Chair of Mortal Fools, an arts organisation based in Northumberland.
Rachel holds an honours degree from the University of Northumbria and a postgraduate certificate in Grantmaking, Philanthropy and Social Investment from Cass Business School, London.
Amy Williams - Programme Officer
Amy provides a range of grant management support to the Foundation and leads on our small community grants programme. Amy also manages our internal operational systems and our external communications activity.
She previously worked for Virgin Money and brings a range of administrative experience, including roles within the North East charitable sector.
Leanne Watson - Communications and Engagement Manager
Leanne manages our colleague engagement and internal communications activity.
Leanne brings a range of expertise having worked for Virgin Money for the last 18 years, most recently she has been responsible for running the Virgin Money enterprise education programme, Make £5 Grow.
Helen Richards - Administrator
Helen manages our core administrative systems, supports the wider team as well as our board of trustees.
Helen previously worked for Virgin Money and brings a wealth of administrative experience.
Meet our trustees
Overseeing the Foundation, our Trustees bring a wealth of experience and skills to the team.
Find out moremeet our trustees