Tayo Leigh

Tayo joined Social Finance in 2025 as Executive Director of Finance, bringing extensive experience in strategic financial leadership across commercial, creative, and social sectors. She leads the organisation’s finance function, aligning resources with mission-driven priorities, embedding robust governance, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Her career includes senior roles with Sony Entertainment, Diageo Guinness, Rolls-Royce Group, and a diverse portfolio of high-growth creative businesses. As Commercial Finance Director at Clubhouse Studio, she built a full finance department from scratch, implemented rigorous controls, and developed a data-driven growth plan that positioned the business for a successful exit. At Marc Quinn Studio and Fox Linton, she navigated periods of acute financial challenge—securing funding, restructuring operations, and driving revenue growth.

Beyond her executive roles, Tayo co-founded Shortlist Africa to amplify African talent and serves as a trustee for MeWe360, bringing strategic financial insight to arts and cultural entrepreneurship. She is a CIMA-qualified accountant and holds a Master’s in Innovation, Creativity & Leadership from Bayes Business School, where she also participated in the Global Women’s Leadership Programme.

Tayo’s strengths lie in turning financial challenges into opportunities—whether that means scaling teams, managing complex P&Ls, or designing innovative funding strategies. She is passionate about fostering collaboration across finance, operations, and programme teams to deliver systemic change for the communities Social Finance serves.