Kelly Devine appointed as Commissioner to the Financial Inclusion Commission

The Financial Inclusion Commission has announced that Kelly Devine, Mastercard Divisional President, UK & Ireland, has been appointed to the U.K.’s Financial Inclusion Commission as a Commissioner.

Through our series of Get Britain growing reports, Mastercard has called for a National Financial Inclusion Strategy that seeks to improve access to affordable financial services and products for underserved communities, complemented by a national digital up-skilling programme to support consumers.

As part of the Financial Inclusion Commission, Mastercard will continue to contribute to the national discussion on improving financial inclusion and accessibility for the millions of people in the U.K. who are unbanked, underbanked or struggle to access the financial ecosystem.

Kelly Devine, Divisional President UK & Ireland, said; “Financial exclusion stops individuals from accessing basic services, having control over their personal finances or receiving benefits like welfare disbursements. It’s bad for people, bad for businesses, and bad for the U.K. economy. I look forward to working with the FIC and contributing to a more inclusive financial ecosystem which not only allows the U.K. economy to grow sustainably but, more importantly, gives everyone the chance to succeed.”

Chris Pond, Financial Inclusion Commission Chairman, said; “I am delighted that Kelly has agreed to join us. She will bring both expertise in addressing issues of exclusion and help us to reinforce the economic and business case for inclusive growth. She joins a distinguished group of Commissioners including parliamentarians from the main political parties, policy experts and representatives of business and consumers.”

The Financial Inclusion Commission is an independent body made up of experts from financial services, businesses, consumer bodies, academia and parliamentarians from across the political spectrum. A full list of Commissioners can be found on the FIC’s website here.

The FIC’s mission is to champion financial inclusion as a policy priority for public bodies, businesses and civil society, as well as challenging exclusion wherever it occurs.

Its vision is for a financially inclusive UK where financial services are accessible, easy to use and meet people’s needs over their lifetime, and where everyone has the skills and motivation to use them.