These appointments mark a significant milestone in Lantern’s evolution, strengthening its leadership team across three critical pillars: brand trust, strategic partnerships, and operational performance. Together, they will help accelerate Lantern’s growth trajectory, enhance customer outcomes, and reinforce its position as a trusted partner in the UK’s financial services sector.

Joining Lantern’s C-suite as Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte Symonds brings two decades of experience in financial services, including senior roles at Nottingham Building Society and Yorkshire Building Society. As part of Lantern’s C-suite team, Symonds will play a central role in implementing the company’s strategic vision, improving operational performance and enhancing service delivery.

Charlotte will help deliver the company’s commitment to sustainable, long-term growth while maintaining the high standards its customers have come to rely on.

She will also play a crucial part in increasing Lantern’s capabilities and reach. This includes expanding its presence nationally and improving its technology offering to reach more varied audience demographics.

Charmaine Bonnaire, appointed as Director of Partnerships, will utilise her 18 years in the industry to spearhead the development and growth of Lantern’s relationship management ecosystem. With extensive experience in partnership strategy and commercial delivery, Charmaine will focus on strengthening relationships with clients across all BPO and debt purchase servicing activities – unlocking opportunities for collaboration and enhanced value for new and existing clients.

In a newly created role, Scott Forster joins Lantern as Head of Brand and Communications, tasked with shaping and amplifying the company’s brand narrative. Scott brings extensive experience in brand strategy, corporate communications and reputation management, and will lead efforts to ensure Lantern’s values and customer commitment are clearly articulated across all channels. His remit includes aligning marketing, PR, internal communications and stakeholder engagement under a unified strategy that builds trust and credibility.

Paul Mason, Lantern CEO, said:

“We have ambitious plans for Lantern in the year ahead, and our focus remains on making a real difference for credit owners and their customers across the country. Ensuring we have the right leadership in place is vital to achieving this. These appointments mark an important step in Lantern’s evolution. Strengthening our brand presence, expanding meaningful partnerships and enhancing operational capability are central to our strategy. Charlotte, Charmaine and Scott bring exceptional experience and leadership that will help us accelerate confidently into our next phase of growth, whilst helping us continue to support vulnerable people and tackle the UK’s personal debt problem head on.”