An incredible achievement with a huge impact

July 2025 

The aim of Santander Consumer Finance’s 16th annual Big Build was to build a sustainable woodland play area, with the smallest impact on the natural environment, but with the biggest impact on the children. 

The Big Build is embedded in the bank’s culture and gives 250 employees every year the opportunity to build bonds while building something for others. Many volunteers can’t wait to return because they know that through building physical entities, you’re also building camaraderie, confidence, compassion, and a legacy for others. 

The Wild Woods 

This year, over seven days, the team constructed a wheelchair accessible woodland play area for children at Woodlands School in Leatherhead, Surrey, which cares for children and young adults between two and 19 years old with additional and complex needs. The children named it ‘The Wild Woods’. 

The school believes that learning is most effective when it’s fun. 

We concur, and this is always our aim too. 

Corporate Social Responsibility 

Through its Splash Projects – which have benefited thousands of people in need and value more than £1.75 million – the bank has pledged its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, because it knows business can help and should help. 

The bank’s new CEO, Adam Goldhagen (who has been on almost every Big Build since its inception) said:  

“The overriding feeling at the end of a Big Build is pride; to know that individually and collectively we’ve been able to turn a piece of wasteland into something meaningful. 

“We could pay an external builder to do the work, but instead the pride of being able to use our privilege to make it happen is overwhelming and gives you a huge sense of satisfaction.” 

Rosie Clark, Co-head of the school said:  

“It’s going to be life-changing for our children, many of whom can’t get out into woodland areas, so for them to have a safe space to experience a woodland environment will really enhance their learning.” 

Rewarding, fantastic and humble 

April Latham, Business Project Manager, said:  

“Having a day out and getting to know your colleagues, learning new skills, and giving back, is so rewarding.” 

Ian Whittaker, Operations Director, said:  

“It was wonderful to see the children out looking at what we were building for them. It was a fantastic experience.” 

Arafat Adebayo, Senior Dealer Contact Centre Agent, said:  

“It was so engaging, everyone was helping, I had so much fun, I wish I could do more than one day!” 

Bryony Inne, Head of People and Culture, said:  

“Consumer business colleagues really feel like they own the Big Build and that it’s an important part of their culture, because it’s been happening for 16 years.  

“I didn’t know about the Big Build when I worked in another department, which made me feel like we don’t shout enough about it, but on the other hand, this shows humility; we’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do, regardless of whether people know about it or not.” 

Sean Watts, Commercial Manager, said:  

“As always, it’s so amazing to do something for such a good cause. You can’t replicate this any other way than through the Big Build. It’s worth its weight in gold. I can’t get enough of it. I can’t wait until the next one!” 

Steve Franklin, Commercial Director, for whom this year’s project was his fourth, said:  

“Whenever you ask someone what their favourite thing of the year was, and what do they look back upon with pride – most people say the Big Build.” 

“It’s about mindset” 

Colin Robertson, who has been the Project Manager for the Big Build for many years, said: 

“It’s all about mindset, and, as the Big Builds are part of their culture, they know how it works and why they’re doing it, and they are 100 per cent committed and work really hard. 

“This means the Splash team is kept on its toes! Anytime a task is finished, they all want to know ‘what’s next, what’s next’, so we have to be many steps ahead. 

“As always, it was push push push for the whole seven days and we finished with one minute to spare. As the name suggests, the Big Builds are designed to be challenging, so it’s an incredible achievement and will have a huge impact.”