Debt policy and research

Peter is currently Head of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at StepChange

Over the last two decades he has worked on a wide range of debt policy issues including credit regulation, mortgage market regulation, insolvency, PPI, debt management practice, debt vulnerability and financial inclusion and resilience.

Previously Peter has been a welfare rights adviser, and frontline debt adviser and advice service manager.

Adam leads the public policy team at StepChange working across the issues that affect advice clients and people at risk of problem debt, focusing in his own work particularly on subprime consumer credit, social security and poverty.

Adam has led reports including Red card: Subprime credit cards and problem debt, Single parents and problem debt (in partnership with Gingerbread), Social security and problem debt and Falling behind to keep up: the credit safety net and problem debt.

Before joining StepChange, Adam worked on childcare and early years issues for Coram Family and Childcare (then the Family and Childcare Trust) and was a civil servant at the Department of Health.

In his spare time he enjoys running, reading, and baking scones (pronounced like 'gone').

Emily joined StepChange in October 2023. Her focus is on delivering research projects and policy recommendations designed to improve our clients’ experiences of debt collection and enforcement.

Previously, she worked in the Campaigns team at MoneySavingExpert and for a market research consultancy, where her work centred on understanding and improving the experiences of consumers in the financial services and energy markets.

Outside of work, Emily likes to explore different pubs and restaurants, attempts to make it to the gym, and reads, with the aim of meeting her (potentially overly ambitious) Goodreads challenge.

Genevieve joined StepChange in 2022, leading on policy work related to housing and vulnerabilities.

She authored the 2023 report Trapped in rent, which explored the experiences of StepChange's clients renting in the Private Rented Sector, and the 2025 report Too close to home, about our clients' experiences of coerced debt and economic abuse.

Before joining the charity, she worked on select committees in the House of Lords and as Parliamentary Assistant to a Member of Parliament.

She holds degrees from the Universities of Leeds and Oxford. She is a multilinguist who speaks French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

When she isn't busy planning the next work social, she enjoys reading, writing and photography.

Sophie joined StepChange in 2023 as Public Affairs Adviser. She oversees StepChange’s public affairs activity, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Debt and Personal Finance.

Previously, Sophie worked in public affairs at The Wine and Spirit Trade Association and as a political consultant at WPI Strategy and Hanover Communications.

She was also an executive committee member for Women in Public Affairs, a not-for-profit organisation aiming to build a more diverse and representative public affairs industry.

Sophie loves travelling and wants to travel to 100 countries by the time she's 100.

James joined StepChange in 2025 as Senior Parliamentary and Public Affairs Advisor. He supports the Public Affairs team by building relationships with key stakeholders, including Parliamentarians, and helping to deliver the charity’s campaign priorities.

Previously, James worked in Parliament for several years as a researcher to Members of Parliament.

In his spare time, James enjoys reading, watching football, and playing jazz music.

Lucy joined StepChange in October 2024 as Public Affairs Officer. She supports the Public Affairs Advisor with developing briefings, stakeholder relations, supporting parliamentary events and undertaking other public affairs activities.

Whilst working at mental health charity Rethink, she gained an MSc in Public Affairs and Lobbying, and has previously worked in communications and campaigns for National Parks England and the Royal College of Physicians.

She was also part of the Personal Finance Campaigns team at Which?, overseeing their PPI redress campaign.

Outside of work, she is a yoga enthusiast, and also enjoys getting out and about in nature with her family.

Josie joined StepChange in 2017 and works in research and insight within the External Affairs department.

She has worked as a Research and Insight Manager since 2022. Josie’s role includes evidencing the experiences of StepChange clients and people more widely in society experiencing problem debt. Josie also runs the charity’s Client Outcomes research.

Prior to joining StepChange, Josie worked in the market research sector on issues relating to reputation, public policy and communication strategies.

Josie enjoys running and is regular attendee of Parkrun. She also likes going to the cinema, live music, dogs and telling everyone how amazing greyhounds are as pets.

Asiya Uddin (she/her) joined StepChange Debt Charity in 2022 as a Research and Insight Officer.

She works in the Research function of the External Affairs, Product and Marketing department and focusses on supporting the development and management of client insights and research project activities.

Previously Asiya worked in Market Research for various organisations in the Media and Entertainment space.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her niece and whipping up sweet treats with her.

Sharon Bell was appointed Head of StepChange Debt Charity Scotland in January 2013. She is responsible for the strategic development of the charity as a key partner and influencer in the provision of free debt advice and solutions in Scotland.

She is a leading voice in advocating for accessible debt advice and strengthening financial resilience.

With extensive experience in the money advice sector, Sharon is committed to promoting fair treatment of clients and collaborating with stakeholders to address money and debt issues.

She previously worked at the Scottish Government, most recently as Head of Policy Development at the Accountant in Bankruptcy, where she was responsible for developing policy and reviewing legislation personal and corporate insolvency in Scotland.

Malcolm joined StepChange in November 2024 in the role of Public Affairs Officer in Scotland.

Malcolm previously worked as Chief of Staff to a Member of Parliament, prior to which he was an Advice & Training Support Worker with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Glasgow, where he now serves as a Trustee on the Board.

Malcolm has a background of political campaigning and working with marginalised and vulnerable communities to provide financial and welfare support.

Malcolm has two young children so doesn’t have any spare time, but he remembers that some years ago he used to enjoy long walks and going to the cinema and gigs.

Helen has worked at StepChange for 20 years, initially as a debt adviser then into the training function where she created and delivered courses for both internal and external audiences.

Over the last 10 years Helen has held a number of roles in partnership development and now manages the charity's portfolio of referral partnerships that offer additional support to our clients.

During her tenure at StepChange Helen has gained qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Institute of Credit Management and a postgraduate diploma in financial inclusion from Liverpool John Moores university.

Prior to joining StepChange Helen worked in branch for HSBC and lived in Poland for a year teaching English as a foreign language.

Outside of work Helen has a busy family life, leads a local Beaver group and enjoys spending time in nature.

Simon joined StepChange in 2019 as Media and PR Manager before becoming Head of Communications in 2023.

He oversees the charity’s media and internal communications teams.

Before joining StepChange Simon worked in the press teams at Crisis, National Education Union and the National Union of Students.

In his spare time Simon has two hobbies that take up a lot of space in his house – cricket and playing the drums!

Fiona is a Senior Media and PR Officer within the media team and has been at StepChange since the beginning of 2022.

She previously worked in the PR team at the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) for four years, during which time she helped to amplify the WI’s campaigning work from ending violence against women to community-based climate action.

Fiona started her career at a not-for-profit in Birmingham helping young people aged 16-24 with employment and training opportunities.

Outside work she enjoys swimming, going to the cinema, and live music.

Euan joined StepChange in 2023 as a Media and PR Officer, supporting on press office activity, leading on media monitoring, and campaigning for policy change and an end to problem debt.

Previously, Euan worked for a Member of Parliament as a Parliamentary Researcher, and prior to that studied at Edinburgh University and King’s College London.

Euan is a keen sportsperson, has run a marathon and countless halves, playing cricket and rugby, and is an amateur film photographer.

Sue is a part time communications consultant in the media team, and previously worked for StepChange as Head of Media from 2018-2023.

She was formerly Head of External Affairs at the Council of Mortgage Lenders, one of the trade bodies that merged to form UK Finance.

She began her career at the Building Societies Association, after a brief stint in book publishing. She has over 30 years of experience working in mortgages and personal finance, and as a voluntary board member of various charities.

She is currently Secretary of her local community council. Sue loves the creative arts (printmaking is her latest personal passion) and in 2025 is joint organiser of her local annual art festival.

Nicki built the case studies function when she joined StepChange in 2019 from the broadcast television sector.

She utilises her transferable skills to work with StepChange clients who want to share their story with policymakers, partner organisations and the public via radio and TV interviews, policy reports and industry events.

She also advises the charity on its lived experience strategy and on its policy communications.

Alongside her full time work at StepChange, Nicki is completing an undergraduate degree in Community Development & Public Policy at Birkbeck, University of London.