How Lloyds Bank and Sue Ryder are using fashion and community to drive change
When businesses are driven by values, they create meaningful partnerships that make a real impact.
A conversation with Sarah Tickner (née Baker) …
At The Retail Bulletin (TRB), and through my role as Chief Happiness Officer for the People in Retail Awards, we are proud to continue supporting Sue Ryder as our chosen charity. Their work in palliative and bereavement care is truly life changing. This year, we’re excited to champion their upcoming Sustainable Charity Fashion Show, a unique event that raises vital funds while celebrating sustainability, creativity, and community.
But this got me thinking… why is Lloyds Bank involved in a fashion-focused charity event? And why is this relevant to us at TRB, where we champion the people behind retail?
Beyond banking
It’s easy to think of banks as purely financial institutions; cheques, balances, interest rates – but there’s another side to Lloyds. The bank is dedicated to supporting their customers beyond finances, with a real focus on charity, community, and purpose-driven partnerships.
Never Miss a Retail Update!To get a deeper insight, I spoke to Sarah Tickner, Director – Charities, Corporate & Institutional Banking at Lloyds Bank. Sarah has been at Lloyds for an incredible 30 years; a testament to both her dedication and the bank’s culture for sure.
One thing that stood out in our conversation was how deeply embedded charity and community support are within Lloyds Bank’s culture.
“At Lloyds, we’ve made a commitment to helping Britain prosper, not just through financial services, but by actively supporting local businesses, people, and communities. Over the last 40 years, we’ve donated over £800m to our charitable foundations who have supported more than 70,000 community-based charities across the UK. But it’s not just about money. Our colleagues are encouraged to give their time volunteering and making a tangible difference in the places where they live and work. That’s what truly matters.”
Partnership
At its heart, this Sue Ryder x Lloyds Bank initiative is about partnership, and a meaningful one at that. Lloyds doesn’t just bank Sue Ryder; it supports them. Being a true partner means more than providing financial services, it’s about investing in the long-term success of the businesses they work with.
“When we think about why we support Sue Ryder, it comes down to shared values,” says Sarah. “At Lloyds, we want to be there for people when they need us most, whether that’s helping someone buy their first home, navigate financial difficulties, or secure a future for their business. Sue Ryder does something very similar, they are there at life’s hardest moments, providing care and compassion.”
This sense of alignment is what makes the partnership so powerful.
“There are times in everybody’s life that are particularly challenging; you go through bereavement, financial difficulties, or other life-changing events. That’s when we, as a bank, step up to support our customers. And that’s exactly what Sue Ryder does in their hospices, in people’s homes and with its bereavement counsellors. That’s why this partnership makes so much sense.”
But this event is about more than just one partnership, it’s also about investing in the next generation.
A collaboration with UAL to champion future talent
Lloyds Bank and Sue Ryder have also partnered with University of the Arts London (UAL), one of the world’s leading creative institutions. UAL students will bring sustainability to life by redesigning garments sourced from Sue Ryder’s charity shops, proving that fashion can be bold, responsible, and innovative.
For many of these students, this event provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their work to a room full of business leaders, fashion influencers and charity supporters.
“It’s about giving young designers a stage, inspiring the next generation, and making them see that their talent has a future,” Sarah says.
What makes this event special?
At its core, this event is about sustainability, creativity, and community. Designers of the future from UAL will showcase their talent by redesigning garments from Sue Ryder’s charity shops, breathing new life into pre-loved fashion and redefining what sustainable style can be.
The event debuted in November 2023 and is now returning on 21st May 2025 at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London.
Hosted by ITV’s Richard Arnold, the evening will feature sustainable fashion shows by UAL students, a three-course dinner, live music, a charity raffle, and a silent auction. The headline sponsor, CCLA Investment Management, joins Lloyds Bank in championing the mission.
Proud moments
Reflecting on the 2023 event, Sarah recalls the moments that made the evening truly special; not just for the audience, but for the people who took part.
Sue Ryder colleagues and volunteers walked the catwalk alongside UAL students, who had completely reimagined pre-loved clothing into striking, high-fashion designs.
“Some of the outfits were as stunning as what you’d see in Milan. These were pieces that had been completely transformed into something bold, unique, and inspiring,” says Sarah.
For many of the UAL students, this was their first big showcase. Some had only arrived in the UK a few weeks before, and they were video calling their families in excitement and pride; sharing their moment on the runway.
“It’s about giving young designers a stage, inspiring the next generation, and making them see that their talent has a future,” she says.
This mix of students, charity workers, and corporate leaders sharing the same space is what makes this event truly one of a kind.
Sustainability at the core
Sustainability is another major pillar of both Lloyds Bank and Sue Ryder’s missions. This event is about showcasing circular fashion, reinforcing the idea that fashion can be stylish AND sustainable.
“Sustainability isn’t just a corporate buzzword for us, it’s embedded in how we operate,” Sarah explains. “Lloyds is working hard on green finance initiatives and reducing our own carbon footprint, but we also know that small, everyday actions matter. The idea of re-wearing and repurposing clothing is a perfect way to educate and inspire people to think differently about consumption.”
But Lloyds’ commitment to sustainability goes further than just fashion. They’re also working on reducing their carbon footprint across their own operations, including projects like ground-source heating at their Halifax complex, and lending to sustainable businesses to help drive green initiatives forward.
A community coming together
Last year’s charity ball raised a staggering £70,000, far exceeding expectations. This year, the goal is even bigger, and with the collective effort of Lloyds, Sue Ryder and UAL, they’re hoping to make an even greater impact.
Sarah reflects on what makes this partnership truly special: “The most meaningful moments happen when people come together, not just to raise money, but to truly connect. At Lloyds, we talk about values all the time, but an event like this actually brings them to life. It’s about people standing up for what matters, championing each other, and showing that business can be a force for good.”
Get involved.
In my conversation with Sarah, we explored the importance of partnership, purpose, and the power of bringing people together. It is clear that Lloyds Bank’s core values; People First, Bold, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Trust, are truly reflected in this partnership. This event shows how shared values can drive real change, blending sustainability, creativity and community to make a meaningful impact.
We love seeing businesses step up in a way that is genuine and full of heart. To find out more about this event, contact Sarah or the author.
