Members Driving Inclusion and Engagement at ABCUL’s Forum Officers’ Conference

Thursday 4 September 2025

On Tuesday 2 September, ABCUL Forum Officers from across the country came together in Manchester for the 2025 Forum Officers’ Conference.

The annual event is a key opportunity for Forum Officers to share ideas, exchange best practice, and raise the standard of Forum activity nationwide. This year’s conference also placed a strong focus on how Forums and Special Interest Groups can support ABCUL’s priorities, particularly the ongoing work to embed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the Association and the wider credit union sector.

With ABCUL in the process of refreshing its strategy under the leadership of recently appointed Chief Executive Matt Bland, the conference gave members a platform to contribute their views and influence the future direction of the Association. Delegates also heard directly from Matt as he set out his vision for ABCUL and the role that Forums will play in strengthening member engagement in the years ahead.

ABCUL’s Head of Member Engagement, Debbie Smith-Hands, said: “The Forum Officers’ Conference is such an important date in our calendar because it gives us the chance to listen to members, explore fresh ideas, and ensure that Forums remain a strong voice for credit unions across the country. I look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to enhance the role of Forums in shaping the sector’s future.”

Through workshops and open discussions, delegates explored how to make Forums more inclusive, share DEI best practice, and ensure their work supports both ABCUL’s objectives and the needs of credit unions on the ground.

Debbie added: “Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into our Forums is central to ABCUL’s strategy. By ensuring diverse voices are heard and valued, we strengthen our collective impact and foster inclusive environments across the credit union movement.”