The dust has now settled following MALG Conference 2023 (which was all about ‘The New Demographics of Debt’) and we would like to say another huge thank you to all the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, team members and more than 220 delegates who made it such a successful and memorable day at Birmingham Repertory Theatre!
Missed it? You really missed out! Search #malgconf2023 on LinkedIn to catch up on all the action from the day.
There were sessions on:
- Keynote on The Shifting Landscape of Debt: Exploring the Impact of Technology and the Internet on Changing Demographics
- Lexi Mills, Shift6Global
- Regulatory update
- Jonathan Phelan, Head of Department – Retail Lending, Financial Conduct Authority
- Gen Z Money Management & Debt: Adapting to Younger People’s Needs
- Megan Micklewright, Founder, The Savvy Spender
- Sam Challenger, Director of Collections & Customer Experience, Billing Finance
- Leon Ward, CEO, MyBnk
- John Webb, Consumer Affairs Manager, Experian
- Adviser-Creditor Communication: Channel Choice or Just Channel Shift?
- Kiri Adams, Social Policy Manager, Christians Against Poverty
- Matt Vaughan-Wilson, Senior Creditor Liaison Policy Officer, Citizens Advice
- Simon Gregory, Sales Director, Data on Demand
- Anu Gibson, Customer Experience Director, Ovo Energy
- The Changing Approach to the Enforcement of Council Tax
- Chris Nichols, CEO, Enforcement Conduct Board
- Russell Hamblin-Boone, CEO, Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA)
- Sarah Naylor, Sales Director, Dukes Bailiffs and Vice President of CIVEA
- Leah Gray, Senior Service Delivery Manager, Denbighshire Council
- The Big Debate: Inequality and the Link Between Financial, Mental and Physical Health
- Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research, Evidence & Impact, The Trussell Trust
- Kathy Wade, Service Manager (Money Guidance), Gamcare
- Francesca Smith, Research Officer, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
- Sarah Murphy, Head of Operational Transformation, Money & Pensions Service
- Dr Jo Burrell, CEO & Founder, Ultimate Resilience
- The Cost of Living on the Breadline: Income Maximisation to Make Ends Meet
- Lee Healey, Founder and CEO, IncomeMAX
- Ren Yi Hooi, Founder and CEO, Lightning Reach
- Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive, British Gas Energy Trust
- Deven Ghelani, Director and Founder, Policy in Practice
- Anna Buckle, Head of Employee Experience & Financial Wellbeing, PayCaptain
- The Ageing Population: Debt Amongst Older Generations
- Liz Barclay, UK Small Business Commissioner
- Sarah Cheetham, Head of StepChange Subsidiaries, StepChange Debt Charity
- Morgan Vine, Head of Policy & Influencing, Independent Age
- Behavioural Science & Debt: How Different Generations Approach Money Management
- Phill Holdsworth, Founder and Managing Director, AurumGold
- Ruth Persian, Principal Advisor – Financial Behaviour & Gambling, Behavioural Insights Team
- CJ Tayeh, Founder & CEO, Flank
- Lexi Mills, CEO, Shift6 Global
- Interactive ‘Catch Box’ Session: The Future of Debt Advice: How Can We Take Advantage of AI?
- Vanessa Northam, Head of Charity Development, StepChange Debt Charity
- Terry Franklin, Executive Vice President, QUALCO
- David Green, Head of IT, StepChange Debt Charity
We have been blown away by all the feedback we’ve received verbally, on LinkedIn/X, and via email, especially regarding the diversity of and interest in the topics and speakers. Here are just a few of the comments:
- “I had an amazing day, one of the best events I have been to this year. Everyone had a genuine desire to do the right thing. Loved our topic and we could all have talked for a lot longer.” Sam Challenger, Billing Finance
- “Delegates were all buzzing throughout the day and we heard so many people say not only how well the conference was run, but how great the speakers were. Another fantastic year!” Carla Bartley, Lester Aldridge
- “It was an absolute pleasure to speak. I find these events really useful, both for getting important messages ‘out there’ and also for helping me to better understand the challenges that people are facing. I was happy to take questions after the event and received many approaches, so I suspect everyone who had a question likely got an answer. Thank you for hosting such an engaging event which I and my colleagues both enjoyed and benefitted from. I look forward to future opportunities to engage.” Jonathan Phelan, Financial Conduct Authority
- “Many thanks for the opportunity to be part of the conference, it was a great engaging and informative day and I hope to attend again.” Leah Grey, Denbighshire County Council
- “It was brilliant! Really happy to be part of the day, brilliant panel and a fabulous discussion!” Megan Micklewright, The Savvy Spender
- “I had a really enjoyable time throughout. The discussions and presentations were thought-provoking and educational. I am very grateful to you for inviting me and so pleased I attended.” Dr Jo Burrell, Ultimate Resilience
- “Brilliant day in Birmingham yesterday for the Money Advice Liaison Group Conference. Lots of thought provoking sessions centred around “the new demographics of debt”, and a great opportunity to meet lots of new faces.” Sarah Naylor, Dukes Bailiffs
- “A huge thank you to MALG for an excellent conference yesterday. An agenda that was relevant, varied and insightful with a great gender balance of speakers ‘The New Demographics of Debt’. I learnt a lot in particular from Lexi Mills on way the younger generation search for information online – and how the debt advice sector needs to come together to ensure our content and information is more widespread and trusted online. The speech from Jonathan Phelan from the FCA was insightful and relevant and focussed on the debt advice sector approach to Consumer Duty. He also referenced that the use of Breathing Space was not as widely used as they were expecting, or would like. The range of speakers across the day were expert and provide a lot of food for thought! Great to see so many friends and peers from across the sector too!” Vanessa Northam, StepChange Debt Charity
- “Massive congrats for organising another fantastic MALG Conference. Fascinating and thought provoking keynote from Lexi Mills followed by an insightful and informative keynote from Jonathan Phelan. Really interesting breakout sessions too providing insights to council tax enforcement and behavioural science and debt. And last but not least, it was a great opportunity to meet up with some old and new acquaintances, too many to mention in one post! Lots to take back and inform the next big steps!” Lee Usher, Trustfolio
- “Having been involved with MALG for more than a decade now, it’s great to see these events going from strength to strength, especially at a time when the need for collaboration and cooperation across lenders, money advisers and regulators has never been greater.” Ammer Malik, Intrum
- “A worthwhile and thought provoking day yesterday at Money Advice Liaison Group Conference, attending for Community Money Advice. Thanks to the MALG team for organising it! Always good to consider how we do things and what is going on in the sector. And even how people use their phones …” Stephen Bolton, Community Money Advice
- “It was great to make some new connections and hear some fresh views on what we do.” Lindsey Cairns, Newlyn Plc
- “Great Session at MALG today… and an all female panel!” Charlotte Crane, Southwark Council
- “It’s great to be at MALG’s 2023 Conference – brilliant to see so many people here and lots of interesting and valuable content through the day.” Paul Bowden, Wilkin Chapman LLP
- “Really insightful morning speaking to valued clients and talks around on the latest developments in the collections world!” Alex MacDonald, Acquired.com
