Manchester Mayor Challenges Credit Unions to Seize Opportunity of Support

Friday 26 January 2024

This month, held in Manchester, the Swoboda Research Centre hosted its conference to a large delegation of credit union professionals and stakeholders, to address the critical and developing issue of the recent economic crisis.

Participants came from Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to the event, which was opened by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who challenged delegates to seize the moment to support their communities, and offered to do whatever he could to support them to grow and contribute. Mr Burnham added: “Credit unions are needed now more than ever. They are fighting back showing the way, providing solutions and leading in unsettled times.”

Niall Alexander from Fair4All Finance set out the socials and economic dimensions of the crisis and the implications for credit unions. Erik Porter from Cheddr addressed the potential impact on the wellbeing of credit union employees and ways to support them. A panel of Swoboda credit union leaders, Samantha Comer (CFO, Capital CU in Scotland), Tony Denny (Chair, Enterprise CU), Kathryn Fogg (CEO, Pennine Community CU) and David McAuley (CEO, Donore CU) then discussed the impact on members and credit unions. This was followed by small group discussion where attendees shared their experience with each other.

In the afternoon, Miranda Flury from Hawkeye Strategies in Canada kept delegates on their toes as she took them through a method for bringing strategic resilience into their thinking and planning.

“There was a real buzz to the day and feedback has been really positive. A massive Swoboda thank you to all the day’s presenters, and to attendees for contributing their questions, energy and enthusiasm,” says Director of Development, Nick Money.