It’s fair to say that a lot has changed since the last Bob’s Blog! We are all still trying to work out what the election result actually means and what the short and long term implications may be but we are now used to working in an unpredictable environment and when it comes to MALG’s mission of ‘working together to improve the lives of people in debt’, we need to remain focused whatever the political landscape.
Debt Managers’ Standards Association (DEMSA) Conference 2017
I was pleased to be asked to speak at last week’s DEMSA Conference at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. The stage from the ‘Love Manchester’ benefit concert in aid of victims of the recent terrorist attack was still being dismantled which, despite being tinged with sadness, provided lots of food for thought in terms of rallying to help people in the face of diversity.
My talk on the future of money advice was very well received and provided a good introduction to some of the hot topics that will be discussed at the MALG conference on the same topic in November. For those of you who weren’t there, here’s a blog summarising the key points.
My talk on the future of money advice was very well received and provided a good introduction to some of the hot topics that will be discussed at the MALG conference on the same topic in November. For those of you who weren’t there, here’s a blog summarising the key points.
MALG Membership update
We’re very pleased to announce that we now have almost 20 new National Business Members with Watch Portfolio Management and PRA Group being two of the most recent additions. Our new Membership Co-ordinator Dionne Stocking is working hard to bring more national and regional members on board. For all membership enquiries, please email dionne.stocking@malg.org.uk
We also have our national members’ meeting and AGM coming up on Wednesday 5th July at Money Advice Service, 5th Floor, Holborn Centre, 120 Holborn, London EC1N 2TD, 11am-3.30pm. It will feature talks from Jane Tully of the Money Advice Trust on the Bailiffs Taking Control Report, Kevin Shaw of Money Advice Service on working collaboratively with debt advice agencies, and Katie Evans of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute on the costs of point of sale credit, as well as regulatory and general MALG updates. If you would like to attend, please email dionne.stocking@malg.org.uk as soon as possible.
We’d also like to remind all members to make the most of your membership by using the MALG logo and linking to your profile on our website www.malg.org.uk/membership/members. We now have a membership flyer which outlines the key benefits and membership packages. Please let us know if you would like any hard copies to share with your contacts/networks at upcoming events.
MALG Conference 2017 update
The programme for the MALG Conference 2017 is shaping up very nicely with the likes of academic Chris Fitch and The Finance Innovation Lab’s Anna Laycock already confirmed as speakers. I will be announcing the full programme of keynote talks, break-out sessions, and speakers in my next Bob’s Blog in a couple of week’s time.
Delegate bookings are now rolling in and we are very pleased to say that we now have several sponsors and exhibitors confirmed including Lowell, 1st Credit, Telrock, and Aperture with many more showing strong interest. Almost all of the not-for-profit member exhibition stands that we made available this year have now gone to Money Advice Service, Money Advice Trust, StepChange, and The Debt Advisor.
If you are interested in taking up one of our few remaining sponsorship packages or one of our commercial fintech exhibition stands, or know anyone who is, please email me on bob.winnington@malg.org.uk