StepChange makes bold investment in Growth and Innovation to lead the sector forward

^{12 May 2025}

StepChange is making a significant strategic investment in its new Growth and Innovation team, ensuring the charity remains at the forefront of service development and partnerships working in a rapidly changing landscape. This bold move underlines StepChange's commitment to evolving its offer to meet the needs of partners and clients alike, and to secure the long-term, sustainable funding needed to help more people navigate financial difficulty and continue to innovate and invest in cutting-edge new technology.

Leading this new phase of growth are three senior appointments:

• Lee Usher joins as Business Development Director, bringing over 25 years' experience across financial services, fintech, consulting, and the charity sector.
• Vanessa Northam moves into the new role of Partnerships Director, building on her success in securing vital funding and strategic collaborations for the charity.
• Rick Britten has also moved into a new role from CFO to Head of Commercial and Innovation, bringing his wealth of experience to develop concepts, propositions and funding opportunities for the team.
• Craig Simmons will provide expert consultancy through a new long-term partnership with Clear Consultancy Services. With extensive experience across the debt advice sector, including senior roles at the Money and Pensions Service, Financial Conduct Authority, and HM Treasury, Craig will bring invaluable insight and fresh perspectives to key strategic projects.

Vikki Brownridge, CEO of StepChange, said:

"This is a pivotal moment for StepChange and the wider debt advice sector. The needs of our clients are changing fast, and the funding landscape is more complex and competitive than ever. That is why we're investing now to ensure we remain at the cutting edge—developing innovative partnerships across financial services, local government, energy, fintech and beyond, and strengthening the support we offer to those facing financial hardship.

"These appointments are a bold statement of intent. They will help us deliver the ambitious goals set out in our new five-year strategy and ensure we have the right partnerships in place to sustainably fund and grow our vital services.

"This new leadership team will play a central role in shaping StepChange's future service offer, developing new partnerships, and driving innovation to ensure the charity continues to meet the needs of millions facing problem debt."