With a background in strategy and transformation across sectors including retail, travel and financial services, Vicky brings a commercially grounded and purpose-driven perspective to her role as an independent trustee of the cardfactory Foundation. Alongside her professional experience, she is passionate about building connections between businesses and communities and the positive impact this can create.
“I’ve always been motivated by building something meaningful – whether that’s in business or in communities.”
I live in the New Forest with my husband Chris, and outside of work I enjoy travelling, good food and wine – all combined where possible. My career has focused on helping organisations define their future through clear strategy and transformation, with roles at businesses including B&Q, Carnival UK and Sky, as well as building a health tech start-up.
Today, I am the Global Enterprise Head of AI and Operational Success at Global Payments, supporting the systems that keep everyday transactions running smoothly. At its core, my work is about making the right strategic choices and turning them into clear, actionable plans.
“Being a trustee is a chance to use those skills in a completely different way.”
Before joining the Foundation, I had experience managing a corporate foundation from within a business, which I found incredibly rewarding. I was drawn to the opportunity to reconnect with that kind of work, building bridges between organisations and the communities they serve.
Being an independent trustee brings a different perspective. It allows you to step back, contribute your experience and focus on making a meaningful difference to real people. This is my first trustee role, and I’ve loved every minute of working with such a passionate and dedicated team.
“What stands out is the clarity of purpose and the strength of collaboration.”
What I admire most about the cardfactory Foundation is the strength of its relationships, both with cardfactory colleagues and with the charities it supports. There’s a real sense of alignment, with everyone working towards a shared goal.
The Foundation has a clear mandate and a thoughtful approach to funding, making it easier for charity partners to understand how to work with us and how impact is measured. That clarity, combined with the passion of the team, makes it incredibly rewarding to be part of.
“It’s the impact on real lives that stays with you.”
While every aspect of the role is rewarding, one moment that stands out is the Foundation’s multi-year partnership with Centrepoint. Seeing how that relationship has developed, and the tangible difference it’s making to young people experiencing homelessness, has been incredibly powerful.
Supporting initiatives that help young people find stability, access education and work towards independent living is something that has a lasting impact, and it’s been a privilege to play a small part in that.
“It’s about bringing perspective, not getting lost in the detail.”
One of the biggest learning curves as a trustee is understanding where your role sits. It’s easy to feel enthusiastic about the work and want to get involved in everything, but the real value comes from providing independent oversight and strategic perspective.
Balancing the role alongside a busy executive career can also be a challenge, but it’s one I prioritise because of the difference the Foundation makes.
“What inspires me most is the people behind the causes.”
I have a huge amount of admiration for smaller, local charities. They are often driven entirely by passion, and many are led by people who have a personal connection to the cause. You can see the direct impact they have, which makes their work incredibly powerful.
At the same time, working with larger charities like Centrepoint has been equally inspiring, particularly seeing the scale of their reach and the difference they can make through well-structured programmes and partnerships.
“For me, being a trustee is about combining purpose with experience.”
It’s a privilege to contribute, even in a small way, to the work of the Foundation. Being able to bring together my professional experience with something I care about personally makes the role incredibly fulfilling.
What makes it different from my corporate roles is the immediacy of the impact. You can see how decisions translate into real outcomes for people and communities, and that’s what makes it so meaningful.
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