We’ve enabled all sorts of organisations and projects to successfully draw down the loans they needed to help make their vision become a reality.
We have supported Community Groups to the value of €110m (£92m) across the island of Ireland
162
Sports Projects
133
Community Projects
27
Social Enterprise Projects
Our Values
Everything we do is founded on our three core values.
Integrity
Expect honesty, truthfulness and accountability from us at all times.
Quality
We aim to be the best in everything we do. No alternatives, no
substitutes.
Empathy
We put people in front of people. Because in life, that’s what matters most.
We’re the first and currently the only UK or Irish organisation to have been accredited as a member of The Federation for Ethical Banking in Europe (FEBEA).
meet our team
We’re a small team working throughout the island of Ireland, North and South. And we’re as passionate and committed as you.
Our expertise is in finance: it’s what we use to empower clients like you to bring about change.
We speak finance. But we hear people.
Dónal Traynor
Group Chief Executive
Dónal took up the role of Chief Executive in November 2020, having previously worked as Associate Director for our Republic of Ireland business. Dónal holds a degree in Economics & Geography from UCD, Grad. Dip. in Business Studies and an MBS in Co-Operative and Social Enterprise from UCC. Oh, and is QFA accredited from the Institute of Banking too. Outside of work: Dónal is a sports fanatic and will always engage in some type of energetic activity with his young family at the weekends.
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“We strive to create a lasting social impact in every community on the island. It’s the driving force behind everything that we do.”
Dónal Traynor
Phelim Sharvin
Head of Community Finance (NI)
Phelim is a Chartered Banker and holds a Master’s degree in European Regional Development, Economics & Business Management. He joined Community Finance Ireland (formerly UCIT) in 2002, bringing with him nearly 20 years’ experience in the Social Finance sector and Portfolio Management. He has helped develop tailored loan products and bespoke loan funds in the local Sports, Childcare, Green Energy and Start-Up Social Enterprise sectors. Outside of work: Phelim is keen on most sport and loves to catch a live gig when he can.
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Barry Symes
Head of Community Finance (RoI)
Prior to joining our team, Barry had a long career in corporate finance with the Ulster Bank Group. He specialized in problem-solving for his clients and helping them to future-proof their businesses. He brings the same rigour to his work with our clients today. Outside of work: Barry is a foodie and wine buff, and ideally combines these two interests with good conversation.
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Barry Connolly
Group Chief Financial Officer
Barry is a Chartered Accountant and previously worked with PWC and KPMG, and has spent over 15 years working in the private, public and third sectors. He is on the board of both Victim Support Northern Ireland and the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland. Outside of work: Barry loves to travel, read, work out and sing along at gigs, where no one can hear him.
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Lita Notte
Head of Marketing and Communications
Lita trained at the Dublin Institute of Technology and Irish Marketing Institute, Lita has held senior roles in advertising and marketing, working with brands such as Guinness, Super Valu, Aer Lingus, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and RBS Group. Outside of work: Lita champions mental health awareness and loves beach walks with her labradoodle Lily.
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Peter Smyth
Client Relationship Manager
Peter graduated in Economics from QUB and trained as an Accountant with Price Waterhouse. He then spent 28 years with Danske Bank holding senior roles in various businesses and retail banking divisions. Peter is also a church trustee and treasurer. Outside of work: Peter is a serious football fan, supporting Leeds United and Glenavon. Where his loyalties would lie if they ever meet remains unclear.
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Nora Keogh
Client Relationship Manager
Born in Limerick and living outside Newcastle West, Nora has over 30 years’ experience in the Financial Services Sector across a wide range of management roles in credit management, business development and customer care. Nora is a fully accredited QFA & Chartered Banker with the Institute of Bankers Ireland. When not working with clients family time is a priority enjoying cycles on the local Greenway and the beautiful beaches in nearby Ballybunion Co Kerry. Nora joined our team in July 2021 and is responsible for looking after clients across Munster.
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Colm Prendergast
Client Relationship Executive
Kildare man Colm joined the Community Finance Ireland team in January 2023. Colm has over 40 years' experience with Bank of Ireland as well as 18 months consultancy with Navan Credit Union. He is a member of the Institute of Bankers, is QFA qualified and holds a Diploma in Banking. In his down time, Colm's main interests include GAA and in particular Gaelic Football, where he recently finished a term of 25 years as Treasurer & Assistant Treasurer of his local club in Co. Louth. He also enjoys reading and hill walking.
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Mary Nohilly
Client Relationship Manager
Based in the small village of Abbeyknockmoy Co Galway, Mary joined the Community Finance Ireland team in 2023, serving the Connacht and Donegal region. Bringing 25 years of finance experience, Mary has worked with Bank of Ireland and ANZ Bank in Australia. In her most recent role at The Irish Wheelchair Association she led programs to support school leavers with disabilities in her native Galway. Mary holds a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree from Dublin City University and is a Qualified Financial Advisor. In her spare time she likes to give back to her local community through volunteering with Aware and with East Galway Athletics Club.
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Sandra Cowan
Finance Officer
Sandra is our longest serving team member, having joined us in 1999. She deals with the day to day office administration across a broad range of activities. Outside of work: Sandra is keen on baking, gardening and swimming, though not necessarily at the same time.
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Stephanie Nicholl
Compliance Officer
Steph joined the team in July 2021 and hails from the famous Walled City. She holds BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology from Queen's University Belfast and MSc (Hons) degree in Applied Psychology from Ulster University. She has worked in Insurance Broking for eight and half years and achieved the Diploma in Insurance through the Chartered Insurance Institute. Steph is passionate about mental health and appreciates the positive impact that CFI has within communities which aligns with her values. Outside of work: Steph is a huge tennis and football fan, loves to read and enjoys an eclectic taste in music – basically she’ll listen to anything.
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Nicky McElhatton
Social Media and Marketing Manager
Nicky graduated in English from Queen’s University Belfast and later gained an MA from QUB in Arts Management. Before joining us, he spent nine years working for arts organisations and within the tourism sector. Outside of work: Nicky is a devoted culture vulture, travel junkie and all-round Eurovision fanatic.
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Emma Thompson
Finance Executive
Emma joined our Belfast office team in 2016. She supports the daily operations of the business. Previously she held a number of significant administrative roles, including with the Northern Ireland Assembly. She particularly enjoys seeing the positive impact of our work on local communities. Outside of work: Emma is passionate about animal welfare and enjoys photography. But don’t touch her chocolate, OK.
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Terri Martin
Office Manager/Micro Finance Lead
Terri is the backbone of all client support activity in our ROI office. Before joining the team, she spent ten years with Ulster Bank Group, where she honed her outstanding account management delivery and reconciliation skills. Outside of work: you’ll find Terri polishing her 1994 All-Ireland football medal for Co. Meath and coaching the Louth Girls Western Gaels GAA team.
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Pauline Carolan
Office Administrator
Pauline joined our team in March 2021 and is based in our Ardee office. She has nearly 20 years' experience working in various sectors across the financial services industry. Pauline holds a QFA diploma from the Life Insurance Association of Ireland, and a Professional Diploma in Compliance (LCOI) from the Institute of Bankers. Outside of work: Pauline enjoys the great outdoors, and could walk and talk for hours. She also loves to travel and enjoys getting lost in the music at a live gig whenever she can.
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Nick Heath
Front Office Administrator
Nick has had varied work experience having worked in hotel and retail management, Third Sector administration and in the Corporate Sector before joining our team in July 2021. Nick is happiest when spending time with his young family, exploring new music and adding to his ever growing t-shirt collection.
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Zara McCreery
Finance Administrator
Zara joined the Community Finance Ireland team in October 2023 as our Finance Administrator. She has vast finance knowledge having worked since 2017 in roles in an accountancy firm and the Civil Service's Department for Work and Pensions. In her free time Zara's hobbies include tending to her horse, daily workouts at the gym and she never starts her day without her coffee fix.
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Catherine Blackbourne
Chair UCIT
Catherine Blackbourne has over 20 years’ experience as a Qualified Accountant and she currently holds consultancy positions within a Social Enterprise, Property companies and a Facilities Management company. Previous roles have been in sectors including the transport industry, mechanical and electrical contracting, property investment and development, and corporate banking. Catherine has a Master of Arts in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Ireland. She is currently on the Board of Ark Housing and is a Parent Governor at Ballyclare High School.
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Board Members
"Every plan for social or community change starts with a dream of how something could be better. It’s idealism – and we welcome that. We share it. But the reality of transformation is what counts. And that is what we are here for: to see our clients get beyond the dream and deliver real, enduring social impact.”
Catherine Blackbourne
Amanda Zahringer
Chair UCIT Ireland
Amanda is a former international partner solicitor with 20 years PQE in top practice and industry roles leading innovative global transactions and growth for high profile clients. Career highlights include an intra-group reorganisation for a multi-billion fund in emerging markets, listing the first Finnish company on AIM with a market cap of £100 million+ and designing and leading the post-merger strategy for one of the largest banks in the world. Acting as her clients’ trusted strategic advisor across 15+ countries, fuelled her passion for business strategy, innovation, transformation and organisational development to deliver sustainable business results for all. Amanda has led numerous charitable partnerships including ChildVision, Young Social Innovators and various academic institutions, she was also involved in the establishment of the Engage and Educate Fund, which is now a €1.2 million fund.
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Seamus O'Prey
Vice Chair UCIT
Seamus O’Prey is CEO of the Ortus Group, Ni social enterprise of the year 2016. A law and business graduate from the University of ulster, Seamus has over 20 years’ experience working with, mentoring and managing social enterprises. He also sits as a Trustee of Spingvale learning and employment; Audit chair of Upper Springfield Development Trust and the West Belfast Partnership Board and a former Chairman of the NOW group and a board member of Enterprise NI. He is a board member of UCIT; UCIT Ireland ltd and UCI PLC and currently represents UCIT on the NISBLF advisory panel. He is a former recipient of the IOD third sector director of the year; an Eisenhower Fellow and winner of a NI top 50 under 50 business award.
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John Evoy
Vice Chair UCIT Ireland
John is General Manager at Grow Remote. Prior to this he was a Senior Fund Manager at Rethink Ireland. He's also the founder of the Irish Men’s Sheds Association. John has won a number of awards for his work with Men’s Sheds, and for his previous work in community development and social entrepreneurship, including an Irish People of the Year Award in 2015.
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Ian McAvoy
Ian worked in manufacturing for 20 years as a Financial Director and Chief Executive. During his tenure the business expanded into Britain and Europe, seeing a £12.2M increase in turnover. He has also held senior/board positions with PlayBoard NI, Sport NI, Board Disability Sport NI and Community Change.
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Martin Stroud
A founder part of Hazelwood Integrated School, Martin sat on the Board of Governors for 14 years and remains deeply involved in the integrated education sector. He is Chair of the Belfast Charitable Trust for Integrated Education (BELTIE), which helped establish Cranmore & Millennium Integrated primary schools. Martin is also an executive member of the NI Co-op Party.
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Anthony Barbour
Having a BSc in Economics and Statistics from Queen's University, Belfast, Anthony’s extensive 30-year business IT career includes senior roles at multinationals in the UK, Europe and the USA, up to and including Board level. He established his own business IT consultancy working with SMEs, corporate clients and government in UK and Ireland. He currently offers advice and support to individuals and organisations wishing to establish and expand co-operatives and social enterprises.
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Mark Glinwood
As an experienced HR executive holding a Masters degree in Human Resource Management, Mark combines a powerful mix of commercial, technical and people skills that have enabled him to deliver outcomes that add true value to the organisations with whom he has worked. Mark has worked across sectors throughout all four corners of the UK & Ireland. He has many years' senior HR and business experience, and non-executive Director experience, acting as a specialist adviser on HR issues. He works primarily at ‘top team’ level - combining his Reward and HR expertise with wider business talents, enabling him to persuasively influence decisions that have significant business consequences. Mark has substantial NED experience and currently sits on boards in Belfast & Bristol beyond his position at CFI.
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Gerry Kelly
Gerry is a CPA qualified accountant with extensive experience in financial services and in wider business management. He spent much of his early career in financial services with a range of senior management roles in investment banking, stockbroking, financial trading and asset management. He has been a co-founder in a number of new businesses which have varied from professional services, hire and leasing, mobile technology and independent media / TV production. His most recent full-time role was as CFO in Certification Europe, Outside of work you will find Gerry actively involved in sport (these days on the sideline rather than on the pitch), travel and trying to keep up to speed with the fast changing world of technology.
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Ulster Community Finance (UCF) Board Members
Seamus O'Prey
Chair UCF LTD
Seamus O’Prey is CEO of the Ortus Group, Ni social enterprise of the year 2016. A law and business graduate from the University of ulster, Seamus has over 20 years’ experience working with, mentoring and managing social enterprises. He also sits as a Trustee of Spingvale learning and employment; Audit chair of Upper Springfield Development Trust and the West Belfast Partnership Board and a former Chairman of the NOW group and a board member of Enterprise NI. He is a board member of UCIT; UCIT Ireland ltd and UCI PLC and currently represents UCIT on the NISBLF advisory panel. He is a former recipient of the IOD third sector director of the year; an Eisenhower Fellow and winner of a NI top 50 under 50 business award.
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Ian McAvoy
Ian worked in manufacturing for 20 years as a Financial Director and Chief Executive. During his tenure the business expanded into Britain and Europe, seeing a £12.2M increase in turnover. He has also held senior/board positions with PlayBoard NI, Sport NI, Board Disability Sport NI and Community Change.
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