ABCUL Appoints Matt Bland as New Chief Executive

Friday 28 February 2025

The Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Matt Bland as its new Chief Executive. Matt will take over the role following the departure of Robert Kelly, who leaves ABCUL after six successful years at the helm.

Matt Bland brings a wealth of experience to the position, having dedicated 16 years to the credit union sector. He spent 11 years with ABCUL’s Policy & Communications team, ultimately serving as its Head, before transitioning to lead The Co-op Credit Union in Manchester as Chief Executive for the past five years.

During his tenure at ABCUL, Matt played a pivotal role in securing a proportionate regulatory framework, including capital adequacy reforms worth millions to the sector, as well as shaping successive rounds of legislative change. More recently, he has overseen a transformation at The Co-op Credit Union, guiding its rebranding and implementing significant investments in technology and governance to support its ambitious growth plans.

Matt has also been an active leader within ABCUL, serving as Director for the North West of England and Vice President between May 2022 and November 2024. In these roles, he played a key role in driving reforms to the Association’s governance structure, championing inclusivity and a vibrant democratic process.

ABCUL President, Paul Norgrove, said: “The Board are delighted to announce the Matt will be taking up the role of ABCUL Chief Executive in June 2025. We received unprecedented interest in the role which highlights the huge opportunities facing the Association and its member credit unions in the years ahead.

“The pledges of the new government further demonstrate that we find ourselves at what will prove to be a pivotal time for many credit unions. We must use this time to work collectively and lead by our cooperative principles to ensure that ABCUL cements credit unions at the forefront of this agenda.

“2025 proves to be a year of change for ABCUL and we truly believe our new Chief Executive will continue the fantastic work already underway but also help the Board deliver a refreshed and ambitious strategy to ensure ABCUL remains as the representative voice for credit unions who serve millions of people across Great Britain.

Commenting on his appointment, Matt Bland said: “It is the greatest honour of my professional life to be appointed ABCUL Chief Executive.  I believe that the world needs flourishing credit unions and co-operatives now more than ever given the uncertain future we all face.  I will work with every fibre of my being to deliver a credit union sector that is meeting the needs and aspirations of British society and ensures that no one is left behind.

“I would like to pay tribute to Robert Kelly who I replace in the role.  Robert has served the credit union sector with great passion and endeavour at a challenging time during the Covid and cost of living crises.  It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with him over many years and I wish him all the best in the future.

“I look forward to getting started in the role in the summer and to meeting our fantastic member credit unions before then at the ABCUL conference in Leeds next month.  We have lots to do and many challenges to overcome but also a world of fantastic opportunity with a government seeking to double the co-operative sector and a new financial inclusion strategy being developed. These are truly exciting times to lead the credit union movement.”