Samantha Bett

Ms Bett, who manages Wheatley’s debt portfolio and investor relations, worked in financial risk advisory services in the UK and Singapore prior to joining the social landlord.

Also joining the SIS board and bringing a wealth of experience are Caroline McLaughlin, Ian Mitchelmore and Kathleen McLeay.

Ms McLaughlin has experience creating social impact across a range of regions, including the UK, Australia, Asia, and Turkey. In 2022 Ms McLaughlin founded Heriot Row Advisors to support organisations and philanthropic networks to be catalysts for impact and until recently she was chief partnerships officer at Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN).

Recently retired senior manager at the British Business Bank, Mr Mitchelmore has spent his career specialising in SME finance. He will bring over four decades of experience to the board and remains well-connected in the banking and business support ecosystem.

Also joining the SIS board is Ms McLeay, who has been chief executive of NCM Fund Services since 2006. She also acts as compliance officer for the group and was previously part of the corporate finance team at Noble & Co.

In 2021/22, SIS supported over 200 social enterprises with £41 million in funding across a wide range of sectors. One third of loan customers secured loans of less than £50,000 underlining SIS’s support for smaller social enterprises, charities, and community organisations.

On the appointments, Ken Barclay, SIS chair, said: “I would like to welcome the new board members, who together bring a great deal of relevant expertise to our board.

“The high calibre of the appointments reflects our leading position as a responsible finance provider in Scotland and beyond. All four new members bring a unique range of skills and experience which will be vital in fuelling SIS’s vision to build an impact economy.”