Pennies scales leadership team to support rapid growth of micro-donations

Pennies, the leading charity enabling micro-donations at checkout, today announces a series of senior leadership appointments as it scales its team to support the rapid growth of micro-donations.

The expansion comes as demand for simple, frictionless ways to give continues to rise across retail and hospitality, with millions of consumers choosing to donate small amounts at the point of payment.

At a time when charities face growing financial pressure and traditional giving continues to decline, micro-donations are becoming an increasingly important way for people to support causes through small, affordable acts of everyday giving.

Recent CAF UK Giving Report data shows there are six million fewer donors than a decade ago, while Pennies’ own 2025 consumer research found that 67% of consumers prefer giving small amounts regularly rather than making larger occasional donations.

Pennies’ micro-donation solution powers these everyday donations, having already enabled over 325 million donations and raised more than £80 million for 1,125+ charities.

The appointments follow the planned retirement later this year of Pennies Co-Founder and Finance Director, Peter Nugent, who has played a pivotal role in building Pennies into the UK’s leading micro-donations charity.

Peter Nugent, Co-Founder and Finance Director of Pennies, said:
“I knew from the beginning that we had an idea that could be transformational for the charity sector, and I’m thrilled to have been part of the team that turned that vision into reality. I’m delighted to be joining the Trustee Board in the future and remain actively involved in driving the micro-donation movement.”

Pennies would like to thank Peter for his outstanding contribution to the organisation since its founding and for helping shape its long-term growth and impact. Peter will remain closely involved with Pennies as a future trustee.

Building on Peter’s legacy, Pennies has appointed Marian Duxbury as Chief Finance Officer and Jim Dolan as Chief Transformation and Technology Officer to strengthen its leadership team as demand for digital giving continues to grow.

Marian brings extensive experience in financial leadership across high-growth international retailers, including AllSaints and Monsoon Accessorize. A chartered accountant, she joins from BrandAlley, where she served as Group CFO and COO, and will oversee Pennies’ financial strategy and continued expansion. Jim brings deep expertise in digital transformation and technology strategy, having led large-scale programmes including omni-channel, cloud and AI initiatives for global organisations. At Pennies, he will lead the continued evolution of the charity’s digital giving solution.

Marian Duxbury, Chief Finance Officer of Pennies, said:
“Pennies is doing something truly important and innovative – making it easy for millions of people to give a little, regularly, in a way that adds up to something transformational for charities. I’m thrilled to be joining the team at such an exciting moment in its growth, and I’m looking forward to strengthening the financial foundations that will support Pennies’ next chapter.”

Jim Dolan, Chief Transformation and Technology Officer of Pennies, said:
“Having worked with Pennies in various roles over the past seven years, I believe the next few years will be hugely important for the future growth and innovation of micro-donations. The opportunity to build on the back-office transformation I have been leading over the last 12 months, while accelerating new technology innovation, is very exciting. We also have a genuine opportunity to develop our services even further to drive greater social impact. I love this cause, I love this team, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Alison Hutchinson CBE, CEO of Pennies, said:
“We are seeing strong and sustained demand for digital giving, as more brands and consumers look for simple, trusted ways to support good causes. Strengthening our leadership team is an important step in scaling that impact, and Marian and Jim bring exceptional experience that will support the next stage of Pennies’ growth and innovation.”

“On behalf of the trustees and the entire Pennies team, I would also like to thank Peter for his dedication, vision and leadership in helping build Pennies into the organisation it is today. His contribution to growing the impact of micro-donations in the UK has been incredible, and we are delighted that when he retires later this year, he will continue to support Pennies as a trustee.”

As Pennies continues to grow its network of partners, its digital giving solution is enabling millions of small donations that together create meaningful impact for charities across the UK.

About Pennies

Pennies is a charity, and the trusted leader in micro-donations. Since 2010, Pennies has worked with more than 200 brands to enable more than 325 million donations, raising £80 million for 1,125+ charities.

In an increasingly cashless society, where people still prefer to give little and often, Pennies is ensuring the public still has ways to donate the small amounts that are so vital for charities.

Pennies partners with merchants and payments providers to enable micro-donation opportunities at checkout, helping create huge impact for charities in need. Micro-donations give customers paying by card or digitally a quick, affordable and data-free way to add a small donation to their purchase – in-store, online and in-app.

Pennies’ vision is one day, wherever and whenever people pay by card or digitally, they’ll be given the opportunity to donate a few pence to charity. Making giving simple, every day. Because micro-donations matter.

For more information about Pennies please visit:

• https://www.pennies.org.uk
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-pennies-foundation/
• https://www.instagram.com/pennies_orguk/
• https://www.facebook.com/Penniesorguk/
• https://twitter.com/pennies_orguk