Funding Circle (LSE: FCH) has recently announced key developments that underscore its commitment to product development and overall operational efficiency. As a UK-based fintech platform specializing in business loans and financial services, the company continues to evolve its offerings in 2026 with better support for entrepreneurs amid economic challenges. One significant update came earlier this month with the appointment of a new executive to its leadership team.
On January 6, 2026, Funding Circle revealed that Sarah Whiteley has been named Chief Legal Officer, stepping in to replace Lucy Vernall, who is departing after an impressive 11-year tenure with the organization.
Whiteley brings more than two decades of expertise in legal, governance, and leadership roles within the financial services industry.
Her professional journey includes nearly 10 years at Cabot Credit Management, where she served for over six years as Group General Counsel and Company Secretary.
In that capacity, she managed legal, regulatory, and compliance risks across multiple jurisdictions, including interactions with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI).
She also spearheaded efforts to refine governance structures during periods of growth and transformation.
Prior to her time at Cabot, Whiteley spent over a decade in private practice at Clyde & Co LLP, where she provided counsel on mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, joint ventures, corporate governance, and ongoing regulatory obligations.
Her academic credentials include a Master of Laws (LLM) from King’s College London, and she recently completed the Artificial Intelligence Program at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.
This diverse background positions her well to guide Funding Circle through complex regulatory landscapes and support its expansion.
CEO Lisa Jacobs praised Whiteley’s appointment, highlighting her proficiency in handling intricate risk scenarios and her history of driving governance improvements as crucial for the company’s scaling ambitions.
Whiteley expressed enthusiasm about joining Funding Circle, emphasizing its dedication to empowering small businesses and her intent to leverage her skills in strategic and regulatory oversight to foster innovation in a dynamic market.
Jacobs also extended thanks to Vernall for her substantial contributions over the years.
Building on this leadership reinforcement, Funding Circle unveiled a product enhancement just days later on January 15, 2026, expanding its Cashback business credit card with the introduction of Company cards in beta.
This addition allows small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to issue an unlimited number of supplementary cards to employees, directors, and partners, facilitating broader team involvement in spending while maintaining robust oversight.
Key features of the Company cards include customizable spending limits for each card, integrated controls for real-time monitoring, and no additional fees—whether per card, annual, or subscription-based.
This setup empowers businesses to manage daily expenditures more effectively, enhancing financial discipline without added costs.
Moreover, all transactions on these cards qualify for the same attractive rewards as the primary card: an introductory 2% cashback on purchases for the first six months (capped at £2,000), followed by an ongoing 1% uncapped cashback rate.
Alexander Allen, Managing Director and Chief Customer Officer at Funding Circle, described the launch as a response to SMEs’ need for straightforward, adaptable financial tools.
He noted that Company cards extend the benefits of the Cashback card to entire teams, offering improved visibility, stricter controls, and additional opportunities to accumulate rewards.
The company plans to refine this feature based on customer feedback, signaling its customer-centric approach.
These announcements reflect Funding Circle‘s proactive strategy to not only fortify its internal capabilities through seasoned leadership but also to deliver practical, value-driven solutions for its clients.
By addressing both governance and product development, the firm is equipped to navigate the evolving demands of the small business ecosystem, potentially setting a benchmark for fintech peers. As economic uncertainties persist, such initiatives could play a pivotal role in helping SMEs thrive.