Funding Circle announces new partnership with National Parks to champion UK climate and nature resilience
London, 14 May 2026 - Funding Circle, the UK’s leading SME finance platform, today announces a new partnership with National Parks to support large scale peatland restoration. This initiative aims to restore natural hydrological processes, reconnect wildlife rich habitats and improve water quality.
The start of the partnership will fund the restoration of 11 hectares of peatland at Greenlee Lough, located within the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northumberland National Park.
Across the UK, National Parks are some of the richest natural carbon stores. Peatlands within National Parks alone store an estimated 119 million tonnes of carbon. However, many peatland systems have been historically drained or degraded. Restoring them is essential to reducing emissions, improving biodiversity and strengthening water resilience.
The 196 hectare site, owned by the Northumberland National Park Authority, sits at the centre of Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designated as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it features Northumberland’s largest natural lake alongside peat bogs, woodlands, and archaeological heritage. The Hadrian’s Wall Wetlands initiative will restore natural hydrological processes and reconnect habitats, helping to support climate and nature resilience.
Restoration will involve installing peat dams and restoring natural water flows to rebuild functioning peat bogs that sequester carbon and support rare wildlife. This work contributes to the wider 4,430 hectare Hadrian’s Wall Wetlands Landscape Recovery Project, which will support the enhancement of the culturally significant landscape.
Christine Venus, Director of Park Management, Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “Greenlee Lough and its surrounding peatlands are among the most precious and ecologically significant landscapes in Northumberland National Park. This funding enables us to take an important step toward restoring these internationally important habitats, strengthening their ability to store carbon, improve water quality, and support rare wildlife.
By beginning this first phase of peatland restoration, we are not only safeguarding the natural and cultural heritage of the Hadrian’s Wall landscape but also demonstrating how nature-first land management can build resilience for future generations. We are grateful for this support, which will help us deliver a further step towards our Hadrian’s Wall Recovering Nature project and more functioning and self-regulating wetland landscape at the heart of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site.”
Chia Lee, Head of Enterprise Risk and Compliance at Funding Circle, said: “We are proud to launch this partnership with National Parks to champion long term climate resilience and nature recovery across the UK. At Funding Circle, we know how valuable it is to protect these landscapes. Beyond the environmental impact, these initiatives provide long lasting benefits to the wider community such as improving local water, supporting biodiversity and improving significant landscapes for future generations.”
Funding Circle is committed to building a resilient and sustainable business that contributes to the broader efforts of addressing climate change and protecting nature. Beyond its operational objectives towards a 2050 net zero ambition, the company supports meaningful initiatives that help drive the UK’s broader transition to a low-carbon, nature-positive economy. In line with its mission, these initiatives also deliver tangible, longer-term benefits for local communities.
For more information visit: www.fundingcircle.com
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press@fundingcircle.com
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About Funding Circle
Funding Circle (LSE: FCH) is the UK’s leading SME finance platform. Since 2010, we have extended more than £17bn in credit to over 125,000 UK businesses, helping them power the economy and their communities.
By combining proprietary AI-powered credit models with a human touch, we provide a seamless experience that allows SMEs to borrow, pay later, and spend through a single ecosystem. For institutional investors, Funding Circle offers access to an attractive, underserved asset class through a platform built on deep data and a proven track record of robust returns.
About National Parks (NPP)
National Parks Partnerships (NPP) connects business, finance and philanthropy to opportunities across the UK's 15 National Parks, unlocking private investment to deliver vital action for nature and communities. Through bespoke partnerships and high-integrity nature-based solutions, we deliver environmental, social and economic value at scale.
www.nationalparks.co.uk | Follow NPP on LinkedIn.