12 Feb 2026 | Posted In MALG Updates

Hello to all our Members and Associates, welcome to the newly-named MALG Community Catch-Up – your monthly update on opportunities to ‘work together to improve the lives of people in debt’.

In this edition:

  • Introducing our new CEO!
  • AI Debt Advice Research Podcast
  • Conference 2026 – Save the Date
  • New MALG Ambassadors
  • coeo UK Customer Focus Summit
  • National Members Meeting February 2026
  • Members Friday Forum NEW Password and Zoom Link
  • Regional Meetings
  • Latest Money Advice/Debt Sector News

 

Introducing our new CEO!

We are delighted to announce that Peg Alexander will take up the position of MALG CEO from the beginning of March 2026 ahead of Bob’s departure at the end of that month. Peg brings more than 30 years’ experience across broadcasting, communications, public service, and the voluntary sector. Her career has focused on social justice, poverty, and community engagement, alongside a prominent profile as a television and radio presenter and event host. Read more here.

AI Debt Advice Research Podcast

Following the launch of MALG’s new AI debt advice research, we’ve recorded a podcast episode with CEO & Founder of our research delivery partner Wyser to understand more about why it’s so important that we protect consumers using generative AI to seek support. Listen at www.malg.org.uk/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Find out more about how to get involved in the research.

Conference 2026 – Save the Date

If you have ever attended the MALG Conference before you’ll know what a key date it is in the debt sector events calendar. With a change of venue and a new CEO this year, we are a bit later than usual to the party, but we are very pleased to announce that this year’s Conference will take place on Thursday 12 November 2026 and will be revealing more details soon! Please save the date and watch this space…

New MALG Ambassadors

To mark his retirement, Bob Winnington has named a further 15 MALG Ambassadors who consistently go above and beyond to promote our purpose of ‘working together to improve the lives of people in debt’. The list was originally launched in 2022 to celebrate MALG’s 35th anniversary and you can view the updated list here.

coeo UK Customer Focus Summit

MALG will be exhibiting at the coeo UK Customer Focus Summit at Aspire Leeds on 5 March 2026 and it will be Peg Alexander’s first event as MALG CEO. If you are attending, please visit our stand!

National Members Meeting February 2026

Huge thanks to the more than 100 of you who attended Bob’s last ever MALG National Members Meeting this morning.

Fascinating sessions from Chris Fitch of Money Advice Trust, Jane Tully of HM Treasury, Mark Pearce of Wyser and Chris Nichols of Enforcement Conduct Board gave attendees an up-to-the-minute summary of what’s happening across diverse areas of the debt landscape from vulnerability and government to AI advice and enforcement.

Papers and presentations will be circulated to all National Members in due course.

Upcoming MALG National Members Meetings:

  • Thursday 14 May 2026 – face-to-face at a new venue to be announced soon
  • Thursday 16 July 2026 – face-to-face, venue tbc, AGM will take place immediately before Meeting
  • Thursday 8 October 2026 – virtual via Zoom

 

Members Friday Forum NEW Password and Zoom Link

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 next fortnightly session is tomorrow, Friday 13 February 2026, 10-11am, for which you will need the new password and Zoom link that has been emailed out to eligible Members. All other information and dates can be found here.

 

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.

Virtual Meetings of the North West, East Anglia, Midlands and South West Regional Groups will take place in March 2026. Details of all upcoming Meetings are listed in the events calendar here.

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

 

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