Bob’s Blog: MALG Conference 6 months today – outline programme revealed!

In this edition of Bob’s Blog:

Conference 2025 – outline programme revealed!

Evolving Together: The Changing Landscape of Debt Policy
Date: Thursday 13 November 2025
Venue: Aspire Leeds
Headline Sponsor & Exhibitor: CDER Group

We may be returning to the same venue for the MALG Conference this year but, based on your feedback, we are shaking things up with a new-look programme! We are absolutely delighted to announce Lee Healey, Founder & CEO of IncomeMAX as our keynote speaker. New features include a LIVE Podcast Episode with special guest Liz Barclay, UK Small Business Commissioner, and a LIVE version of the MALG Members Friday Forum.

Session topics will include:

• Income Maximisation
• Vulnerability
• Fintech
• Financial Inclusion & Creditworthiness
• Financial / Economic Abuse
• Public Sector Debt Collection
• Artificial Intelligence

Sponsors confirmed so far:

• CDER Group
• Lantern
• PRA Group
• Lester Aldridge

Exhibitors confirmed so far:

• CDER Group
• Christians Against Poverty
• Experian
• Flexys
• Money Advice Trust
• Money & Pensions Service
• Money Wellness
• TCN

Please contact bob.winnington@malg.org.uk asap if you are interested in exhibiting, as we sold out all 21 Stands by June last year! We also have a number of Sponsorship Opportunities still available including Session Sponsorship and Drinks Reception Sponsorship which Bob can share details about.

National Members Meeting May 2025 – Registration closes 5pm today

We’re looking forward to welcoming Members on Thursday for the energy-themed MALG National Members Meeting at London Transport Museum. We are near to full capacity, so if you haven’t booked your place, please note that registration closes at 5pm today and you MUST REGISTER to secure your place. If you have any issues, please email info@malg.org.uk.

Agenda – Energy Debt Update:

• 10.00 -10.30: Registration, refreshments and networking
• 10.30 – 10.40:  Welcome to all guests and new representatives
  • Bob Winnington, CEO – MALG
  • Carole Kenney, Director, Welfare, Road Traffic & Road User Charging, CDER Group
• 10.40 – 12.00: Households in Energy Debt – Presentation of Clear Consultancy Service’s report commissioned by Impact on Urban Health
  • Craig Simmons – Clear Consultancy Services and MALG Board Member
  • Francis McGee – GAIN and MALG Board Member
  • Tanya Spence, Portfolio Manager – Impact on Urban Health
  • Jemma Baker, Deputy Director of Retail Policy – Ofgem
• 12.00 – 12.45: The Power of Partnerships – How working together in collaboration can deliver good long term  outcomes
  • Miranda Hunt, Senior Partnerships Support Manager – StepChange
  • Laura Bradley, Warm Home Discount Lead – OVO Energy
• 12.45 – 13.30: Networking lunch
• 13.30 – 13.45: MALG National Update
  • Bob Winnington, CEO – MALG
• 13.45 – 14.30: Illegal Money Lending Update and The Partner Plus Award
  • Cath Wohlers, LIAISE Manager – England Illegal Money Lending Team
  • Emma Gibbons, Vulnerability Lead – PayPlan
• 14.30 – 15.10: Recognising and Responding to Economic Abuse
  • Sam Smethers, CEO – Surviving Economic Abuse
• 15.10 – 15.15: Summary, AOB and Close

Save the dates:

• 10 July 2025, (AGM immediately before Meeting), No.6 Alie Street, London E1
• 2 October 2025, via Zoom

New Members

Welcome to our newest MALG Members, demonstrating their commitment to ‘working together to improve the lives of people in debt’.

If you are not already a Member, why not start taking advantage of the full range of benefits? Our Membership Application Form is now fully online and takes just minutes to complete. Find out more about packages/prices, download our new Membership Brochure, and apply here.

If there are any organisations or sectors you would like to see as MALG Members, please let us know and we will look to engage with them. We are particularly keen to engage more energy and banking sector Members – any introductions that can be made would be much appreciated.

Members Friday Forum

Whether you’re a regular, have attended before, a Member who’s yet to take advantage of this hugely popular benefit, or you have a colleague who would like to attend, we would be delighted to welcome you on screen for an hour of informal, open – and usually lively! – debate on the latest issues facing those across the debt landscape. The sessions attract up to 60 Members and often result in tangible solutions and collaborative opportunities so don’t miss out.

The next fortnightly session is on this Friday 23 May 2025 and all other information and dates can be found here. Pease email info@malg.org.uk if you have any issues accessing the password and joining instructions.

Regional Meetings

If you are a National Member, you have access to all the Regional Groups chosen on your original Membership Application form and should receive email invitations with a password-protected link to the online booking form for all relevant Meetings. If you do not receive these and think you should be, please contact info@malg.org.uk.

Details of all upcoming Meetings, including the Virtual MALG East Anglia Meeting on 22 May 2025 are listed in the events calendar here.

Please note the main contact for each Regional Group below should you have any other queries:

• MALG South East: info@malg.org.uk
• MALG South West: sara.harris@computershare.co.uk
• MALG Midlands: sebrina.mccullough@moneywellness.com
• MALG North East & Yorkshire: paul.bowden@wilkinchapman.co.uk 
• MALG North West: helen.handzel@stepchange.org
• MALG Northern Ireland: sinead@adviceni.net
• MALG Scotland: bob.winnington@malg.org.uk
• MALG East Anglia: info@malg.org.uk