SWIG Finance announces new board chair

Business loans company SWIG Finance has announced a number of changes to its board, including the appointment of Christine Allison as the new chair, as part of a broader restructuring programme.

Christine takes over from Richard Coombs, who has been the chair for almost ten years. Also joining the refreshed board are David Brown, a director of SWIG Capital (and CEO of Folk2Folk), Rebecca Pritchard (formerly of Triodos Bank), Chris Butters (formerly of PwC), and Bill Baker (formerly of HSBC).

This move comes as Bristol-based SWIG Ltd makes significant changes to modernise and improve its governance, including streamlining the existing boards of SWIG Capital and SWIG Finance, with the SWIG Ltd board becoming the main board overseeing an ambitious growth agenda.

Christine said “Significant board changes have been necessary to ensure that the board reflects the forward-thinking company that the South West Investment Group is today.

"I am delighted to be leading the refreshed board, and together with the staff of SWIG will work to see SWIG grow its market share and support more SMEs with their finance needs.

Over the years, we have relied on our experienced and knowledgeable board members to help lead SWIG through some challenging times. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a part in helping SWIG become the growing and ambitious business that it is today”.

Christine has been a director of SWIG Ltd and chair of SWIG Finance for the past two years, and a NED since 2017. Prior to SWIG, Christine spent more than twenty years with the World Bank in Washington DC, was a fellow of the London-based Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation, and a Special Advisor to the Treasury Select Committee. She is currently a director of the South West Business Council.