After working as a Customer Service Manager for several years, Michael went into Retail Banking to help people with an issue that really mattered, Finance.

Michael worked in Retail Banking for 9 years before feeling the need to make a change. At this point he became aware of the Credit Union Movement within the UK and once he became aware of the support and personal care that Credit Unions provide to their members and communities he didn’t hesitate to get involved!

Michael is very proud to be the CEO of CroydonPlus, however don’t let the title mislead you. Members will quite often find Michael on the end of the phone, Mobile Chat or even on the other side of the Customer Service Desk. This is one of the areas Michael is extremely proud of and will never let go, as he loves to be able to deliver customer service first- hand and balances this with his finance experience.

Outside of work Michael spends a lot of time with his family and loves to cook. Time permitting, he likes to be sociable and cannot live without music and movies.

Peter has worked within the Finance and Banking Sector since leaving school. During his 30 year service with his last employer he has worked his way through a number of roles, including Cashier, Data Processor, Securities Clerk, Project Manager, Internal Control and Regulatory Reporting

Having joined the CroydonPlus team in September 2019, Peter is responsible for increasing awareness of the Credit Union and ensuring its members receive the best customer experience as possible, together with looking for ways to improve productivity and staff development. Peter’s favourite role however, is when he can interact with members, whether that be on the phone or in person.

In his free time Peter is an avid Crystal Palace fan and enjoys taking time out at the gym.

Originally from a financial background, Steph went on to work as a Claims Manager within the Insurance Industry gaining over 12 years of customer service experience, helping people in their time of need. After the birth of her first child, Steph decided that it was time for a new challenge and joined us in 2017 as a Credit Control Officer.

Steph is known for being organised and forward thinking, with a passion for excellent customer service. Since returning from Maternity Leave in 2019 after the birth of her second child, Steph has taken on a new position within our organisation, as our Communication and Marketing Lead. This new role has given Steph the opportunity to work on several projects, all of which will help CroydonPlus Credit Union to continue to grow and help to provide our members with the service they deserve!

Steph has recently got married and loves nothing more than spending quality time with her family and friends. When she isn’t running around after her two small children, she enjoys cooking and on the rare occasion that she gets to sit down, Steph loves to take time out with a good book!

Hayden studied at the BRIT School in Selhurst so is no stranger to the Croydon Area. Having worked in Retail Banking for 5 years, Hayden decided to make the move to CroydonPlus, to take on a fresh challenge and try and do more for the local community.

He prides himself in taking ownership of tasks and problem solving, going the extra mile to make sure any query or question is resolved and enjoys daily conversations with our members, getting to know them as people rather than just membership numbers.

Hayden is also a singer songwriter and DJ so when he is not working with us, you can find him in the studio writing or performing his music live!

Emma joined the team at CroydonPlus as a Credit Control Officer in 2018.

She is an extremely hardworking individual with working experience within the retail and catering environment. 

Emma is known to be extremely reliable and maintains professionalism at all times. She is passionate about providing excellent Customer Service.

Emma prides herself on her attention to detail and being a great team player!

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When Emma isn't working, she enjoys swimming and creating memories with her children.

Annie is a Law Graduate with an array of experience within Probation Services and the Financial Sector. She has previously worked for large organisations, including the Financial Ombudsman so has a great understanding for the way a financial organisation should work.

Annie initially joined CroydonPlus in 2018 as a Credit Control Officer, on a Maternity Cover contract and has since moved over to her new role of Customer Relations Officer. Annie is often one of the first facesthat our members see when they visit the Croydon Desk and she really enjoys interacting with all our members.

As a mother of two, it is important to Annie that she has an employer that understands the importance of family and values its employees and their personal development. Annie is immensely proud and happy to work for CroydonPlus.

In her spare time, Annie enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and going to the theatre and opera. She also loves being close to nature and spends as much time as she can enjoying the great outdoors.

Phil Butlin is a Chartered Public Finance Accountant and Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development. He had a 39-year career in public service financial management including spells at the National Audit Office, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Pensions Regulator. He was Assistant Director, Finance responsible for the whole finance function at the London Borough of Sutton until his retirement in 2017. Phil has lived in the borough of Sutton since 1979 and is keen to continue to use his finance and strategic management skills for the benefit of his community Since retirement he has taken on the voluntary role of Treasurer of the Croydon, Merton and Sutton Credit Union. He is also Treasurer of the London and South-East Forum of ABCUL, the trade body for Credit Unions.

 

Phil is Chair of the Royal Institute of Navigation’s (RIN) Audit and Risk Committee and member of the RIN Council. He has been a member of East Surrey Morris Men since 1989 and is currently serving as Bagman (Secretary/Treasurer). He is an occasional folk singer and also enjoys walking with his wife and dog, modern board games, most types of music, reading, cooking and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

As a former Deputy Leader of Sutton Council, and Lead Member for Resources, Simon has a long history of developing innovative financial solutions.

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Simon has long been committed to the voluntary sector, and chaired the Sutton Compact and Community Fund Panel. He has been Chair of the Sutton Dementia Friendly Community, and is a board member of Croydon Action for Young Single Homeless. He was Vice Chair of London Councils Grants Committee, and member of the London Councils Audit Committee.

 

As Chair of the Operations Committee of Croydonplus, he oversees such matters as IT, HR, Marketing and community links.

Naomi has held the position of Director at the Commonside Trust for the past 15+ years.  In that time she has seen the organisation grow both in terms of turnover and in its range of activities and reputation.  Supporting low-income families in the Pollards Hill and East Mitcham areas of Merton, Naomi has seen first-hand how joining the Credit Union can assist not only during a period of crisis and also help a family on the road to better financial stability.  

 

Naomi lives with her partner on the BedZED Eco housing estate in Hackbridge.  

"I have been involved with CroydonPlus Credit Union for almost 2 decades. During this time, I have seen it grow from the Croydon Staff Credit Union, through extension of its common bond, firstly to all those who live and work in Croydon and then secondly, to a common bond for all who live and work in the here boroughs of Merton, Sutton and Croydon. As a keen co-operator I understand at its heart, CroydonPlus is a financial cooperative run for its members, by its members. 

I have served as an elected member of the Cooperative Group who run the Coop Food stores and for a few years was on the board of Cooperatives UK; the umbrella organisation for all cooperatives in the UK.  I am strong believer in cooperative solutions to how our economy and society is run and I am currently an elected Labour and Cooperative Councillor in Croydon. 

 

On a personal note, I have an ambition to take out a Credit Union loan to follow Scotland at the final stages of a World Cup Tournament."

Catherine is the Head of Payments Revenues Benefit & Debt within Croydon Council. She has over 25 years’ experience in financial services, specifically within collection, welfare benefits and debt advice. Catherine is committed to ensuring “no one is left behind” and she is passionate to safeguard financial inclusion for all.  

Catherine has been an active member of the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) for over 20 years, and she was a previous Scottish Executive Board member.   

Catherine first became interested in the role of the Credit Union 37 years ago, when she became a member of the Coastline Credit Union in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia, where she lived at that time.  

Catherine has been a board member of Croydon Plus since 2018 and it is a role that she thoroughly enjoys.

In her spare time Catherine enjoys walking her dog, and keeping actively fit, however her favourite time spent, is with her grandchildren.

Laurie Pocock was an original member of the Croydon Staff Credit Union. He worked in the Council's Planning Development Control Team before taking over as Unison Branch Secretary before retiring in 2015.

 

Previously he was a print production manager and was a Bromley Councillor in the 1980s.

 

He chaired a youth club management Committee for many years and lists supporting Charlton Athletic and playing Jazz Guitar and foreign travel as his main interests.