ABCUL Welcomes 350+ Delegates to Leeds for its Annual Conference 2025

Thursday 20 March 2025

The Association of British Credit Unions was delighted to welcome over 350 credit union professionals to The Queens Hotel in Leeds for the ABCUL Annual Conference 2025. This year’s event provided a vital opportunity for members to connect, learn, and collaborate, reinforcing the strength and unity of the credit union movement.

Reflecting on the success of the conference, Debbie Smith-Hands, ABCUL’s Head of Member Engagement, expressed: “The ABCUL Annual Conference 2025 was a true celebration of the credit union movement, filled with warmth, inspiration, and collaboration. It was incredible to see so many dedicated professionals come together, share insights, and strengthen the future of our sector.”

A key highlight of the conference was the address from incoming ABCUL CEO, Matt Bland, who will officially take up his role in June 2025. In his speech, Matt spoke of the privilege of leading ABCUL and drew inspiration from the Rochdale Pioneers, whose vision laid the foundation for the co-operative movement over 120 years ago.

He acknowledged the challenges facing credit unions but also highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead. With a government committed to doubling the size of the co-operative sector and the development of a new financial inclusion strategy, Matt emphasised the importance of credit unions working together to seize this moment for growth and impact.

The conference concluded on Saturday evening with a special CU Futures Celebration, marking the graduation of the CU Futures Class of 2025. Since its inception, this programme has played a crucial role in developing the next generation of credit union leaders.

Debbie added: “A huge thank you to our sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and, most importantly, our members, whose passion and commitment continue to drive our movement forward. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the ABCUL staff team for their hard work and dedication in delivering such a fantastic event.

“ At ABCUL we look forward to building on this momentum throughout 2025 and beyond. Thank you once again to all who made the conference such a memorable occasion!”