Pat Conaty

Pat worked as a researcher at nef for eight years, becoming a nef fellow in 2007. Educated at the University of California with a degree in Political Economy, Pat is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, a Research Associate at the University of Salford and an Executive Director of Rebuilding Society Network, a social enterprise in Mid Wales.

Formerly the Development Director of Birmingham Settlement, an inner city community regeneration organisation, Pat played a pioneering role in setting up several social enterprises fostered there: including Business Debtline and the Aston Reinvestment Trust – the first mutually owned, local Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) in Britain. He worked for many years in the debt advice field as Director of Money Advice Services for Birmingham Settlement and he is a founder and former Executive Director of the UK Social Investment Forum – the national association of socially responsible investment organisations.

Pat also works as a community development finance trainer and consultant with NACUW (National Association of Credit Union Workers) and is a Director of Land for People – the Community Land Trust network for rural Wales and Shropshire.