Founder Faisel Rahman appointed Executive Director; Tim Marshall named Chief Executive Officer

Fair Finance, the social business dedicated to expanding access to fair and affordable financial services, has announced a change in the senior executive structure, as it seeks to expand its ability to serve those who are financially excluded.

Faisel Rahman, who founded Fair Finance in 2005 and has led the organisation for more than two decades, will transition from CEO to the newly created role of Founder and Executive Director. 

Tim Marshall, who has served firstly as a non-executive Board member of Fair Finance, and then as Chief Risk Officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.

Under Faisel’s leadership, Fair Finance has supported nearly a million people across the United Kingdom with access to fair and affordable credit, financial guidance, and services otherwise unavailable to them through mainstream providers. The organisation has established a model recognised nationally and internationally as evidence that values-led financial institutions can achieve both social impact and long-term commercial sustainability.

As Founder and Executive Director, Faisel will assume responsibility for Fair Finance’s long-term vision and strategy to achieve its mission at scale. He will focus on the power of data, technology and AI to build the business of the future and will continue to represent Fair Finance externally and engage at Board level.

Tim brings extensive senior leadership experience across financial services, risk, compliance, organisational transformation and financial inclusion. His career includes the leadership of a multi-country SME bank in East Africa, and senior executive roles in both fintech and financial services — most recently as Chief Risk Officer, Commercial Finance for Siemens Financial Services across Europe. Tim has also run a financial inclusion project for an African based NGO, and was previously an Non-executive Director at Fair Finance, before joining the management team.  Since then, Tim has led the transformation of the organisation’s risk and compliance functions, work that has materially strengthened its operational and governance foundations.

Tim has been formally approved by the FCA and takes the position with immediate effect. 

Faisel Rahman, Founder and Executive Director of Fair Finance, said:

“Fair Finance was built on the belief that access to fair financial services is a right, not a privilege. Everything we have achieved over twenty years has been in service of that belief, and everything we do next will be too. This transition is about ensuring that Fair Finance has the leadership structure to deliver on our mission at the scale it demands. I am proud of what this organisation has built, and I am excited about what it will become. Tim is the right leader for this next chapter, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside him.”

Tim Marshall, Chief Executive Officer of Fair Finance, said:

“It is an honour to take on the role of CEO at an organisation with Fair Finance’s track record, values, and potential. I have had the privilege of working within this organisation, and I understand both its strengths and the opportunity ahead. My focus will be on ensuring that Fair Finance operates with the rigour, clarity, and discipline required to grow sustainably and to reach many more of the people who need us. I am grateful to Faisel, to the Board, and to the whole Fair Finance team for the confidence they have placed in me.”

Michele Greene, Chair of Fair Finance, said:

“The Board’s responsibility is to ensure that Fair Finance has the leadership it needs to fulfil its extraordinary potential. This transition reflects that responsibility, and it is a decision the Board made with conviction. Faisel has built something exceptional — a mission, a model, and a team that have changed lives. Tim brings the operational experience and values alignment to take Fair Finance into its next phase. Together, they give this organisation a leadership structure that is equal to its ambitions.”

About Fair Finance

Fair Finance is a community development finance institution (CDFI) founded in 2005 and headquartered in London. Its mission is to deliver the ABCD of Financial Inclusion — Advice, Building credit history, Credit and Deposits to individuals and communities underserved by mainstream financial providers. Fair Finance has supported nearly one million people across the United Kingdom and is recognised nationally and internationally as a leading model of values-led financial services. Fair Finance is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

For more information, visit www.fairfinance.org.uk