Bob’s Blog: MALG September 2022 update

The MALG Conference 2022 on 3 November at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (the theme for which is ‘Jaded: How has working together to improve the lives of people in debt changed in the last 35 years?‘ – a nod to MALG’s 35th anniversary, which is traditionally celebrated with jade gifts) is our first ever conference outside London and is set to be our best and most inclusive yet. We are looking forward to welcoming an even wider variety of people from across the whole debt and credit landscape!
Bookings are already coming in thick and fast and we are now pleased to announce the outline programme which includes sessions entitled:

• Statutory Debt Repayment Plan (SDRP) and the future of debt solutions
• Mission Impossible: Too much Month at the end of the Money
• The future of debt advice funding
• The Big Debate: Coercive debt and economic abuse
• Looking back, looking ahead: 35 years of lending, collections and debt advice
• Spotlight on challenges facing Local Government: Pandemic and beyond
• Small businesses in financial distress: A ‘cocktail of threats’

Thanks to our speakers confirmed so far including Karl Handscomb of Resolution Foundation, Peter Tutton of StepChange, Lex Jones of Registry Trust, Gareth McNab of Christians Against Poverty, Peter Wallwork of Trustfolio and Arvato, Paul Bowden of Wilkin Chapman LLP, Jonathan Woodward of Birmingham City Council, Mark Fearn of Walsall Council, UK Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, an James Blackman of Cocoonfxmedia Ltd.

Sponsors include Intrum UK Ltd (headline), Dukes Bailiffs, CDER Group, Registry Trust, PRA Group, Lantern, and Lester Aldridge and exhibitors confirmed so far include Intrum UK Ltd, Experian, Money & Pensions Service, Financial Wellness Group, C&R Software, entitledto, Vulnerability Registration Service, Christians Against Poverty, oneSource Debt Resolution Services Welfare Team, and JT Maxwell, with several more in the pipeline. We have a range of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities still available but there has been a lot of interest – please contact bob.winnington@malg.org.uk to enquire about how your organisation could benefit.

Delegate ticket prices have been set in response to member feedback and in the light of the cost of living crisis and rising inflation, to make the event as inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible:

• MALG Member Commercial Delegate: £275+VAT
• Non-MALG Member Commercial Delegate: £355+VAT
• MALG Member Not-for-Profit Delegate: £95+VAT
• Non-MALG Member Not-for-Profit Delegate: £175+VAT

National Members should have received their invitation to the upcoming virtual National Members Meeting on 13 September, with the Zoom room opening at 10.15. If you haven’t received an invitation and think you are eligible, please email us on info@malg.org.uk.

The agenda will be as follows:

• 10:15 -10:30      Arrival and Networking
• 10:30 -10:40    Welcome to all, guests and new representatives – Bob Winnington, CEO – MALG
• 10:40 – 11:30    ‘Debt Charities call on Ofgem to “Ramp Up” Protection for People with Energy Debt’ – Matt Vaughan-Wilson, Senior Creditor Liaison Policy Officer and Faye Brookes Lewis, Policy Researcher – Citizens Advice
• 11:30 – 11:40    Comfort Break
• 11:40 – 11:50    MALG National Update – Bob Winnington, CEO – MALG
• 11:50 – 12:10    Creating a Register of Partial Settlements – Chris Dick, Operations Director – Registry Trust Ltd
• 12:10 – 12:15    Summary, AOB and Close

MALG CEO Bob Winnington is set to speak at the GovDebt Conference on 11 October 2022 where the theme will be ‘Transforming Services, Securing Fair Outcomes for All’.

He will be part of the opening keynote panel session entitled ‘Assessing vulnerability and using consumer segmentation as a tool to create effective debt management strategies’ alongside Jonathan Shaw of Christians Against Poverty, Matthew Hooper of Crown Commercial Service, and Steve Coppard of Arum. Find out more here.

In this blog, Bob shares his thoughts on challenges in debt resolution – and demonstrates why MALG’s aim of ‘working together to improve the lives of people in debt’ is more important than ever.

The fortnightly MALG Friday Forum is still going strong. Whether you’re a regular, have attended before, or are a National or Regional Member who’s never taken advantage of this member benefit, we would be delighted to welcome you on screen.

The next session will be on Friday 9 September at 10am. If you want to share or discuss any particularly pressing topics, you can either join the forum and raise your virtual hand, or please email us on info@malg.org.uk in advance and we can arrange for you to introduce your topic to the room yourself.

Full details, including joining instructions and future dates, can be found here.

Remember, if you are a National Member, you have access to all of our Regional Group Meetings. Please ensure you email us with your preferences should you wish to amend any regions specified on your original application and take full advantage of this membership benefit.

Details of all upcoming regional meetings can be found here.

If you are currently not receiving regular invites to regional meetings and think you should be or want to be, please contact info@malg.org.uk to ensure you are on the mailing list for the relevant regions. Should you wish to contact a particular regional secretary, please use the following addresses:

• MALG South East: beth.forbes@fundingcircle.com
• MALG South West: bob.winnington@malg.org.uk
• MALG Midlands: sebrina.mccullough@financialwellnessgroup.co.uk
• MALG North East & Yorkshire: paul.bowden@wilkinchapman.co.uk
• MALG North West: joanne.brookes@bridgewaterfinancegroup.co.uk
• MALG Northern Ireland: sinead@adviceni.net
• MALG Scotland: frank.johnstone@brodies.com
• MALG East Anglia: info@malg.org.uk