Pennine’s CEO Kathryn Fogg and COO Deborah Smith-Hands were recently invited to participate in the leading credit union conference in the UK.
This year the annual ABCUL conference was held online for the first time due to the pandemic. Similar to PCCU’s 39th AGM which was held virtually for the first time, it was a big change that was well received by over 600 attendees. The ABCUL staff organised a packed schedule of high quality sessions and masterclasses aimed at credit union staff, volunteers, management and board members.
Stage set for Chief Executive Officers
Kathryn participated in a session on the ‘main stage’ with the CEOs Matt Bland from the Co-operative Credit Union and Robert Kelly from ABCUL – the credit union trade association, discussing the different ways that credit unions provide affordable loan products to account holders. By attending and participating in sessions with other credit unions PCCU are introduced to best practice methods that maximise the benefits for our account holders.
Finding the right solutions for account holders
Deborah was asked to present a masterclass in ‘member solutions’ which saw one of the highest attended sessions of the conference. As Pennine’s Chief Operating Officer started the 1 hour long masterclass, 120 delegates joined the session, where a healthy chat function celebrated the way that PCCU staff find solutions for account holder’s problems, whilst offering experiences from their respective credit unions.
As a credit union it is hugely important for our Staff and Board members to attend the wide range of sessions at conferences to improve the way we provide saving and loan services to the people in our community. It is pleasing that the PCCU staff team are invited to share our knowledge with sister credit unions from across the UK to benefit the whole movement.
Well done Kathryn and Deborah – you did PCCU proud!
