Speakers
HOST
Helen Lord, CEO - Vulnerability Registration Service
As well as being the industry-leading authority on vulnerability, Helen also has vast knowledge and experience of consumer affairs, fraud and consumer credit-related issues.
Helen has previously worked to help organisations comply with their data protection obligations, particularly in implementing GDPR changes. Helen worked for Experian for 20 years, was their Director of Compliance, Fraud and Consumer Affairs and managed Experian’s consumer-facing team for much of her career.
She has headed up a 130+ strong Consumer Help Service team handling credit report and related queries ensuring Data Protection and Consumer Credit Act compliance and set up the UK’s largest credit report monitoring and fraud prevention service and initiated the UK’s first Victim of Fraud Service.
Helen has been responsible for developing highly respected education and financial literacy programmes and is a media trained spokesperson on consumer and fraud-related issues.
Helen Lord is the CEO of Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS). Helen is the thought-leader on the subject of vulnerability. Helen is involved with media, speaking, educating and advising, and is the VRS’s chief consumer spokesperson.
OPENING KEYNOTE
Lord Chris Holmes of Richmond MBE
Lord Chris Holmes of Richmond MBE is a leading advocate for inclusive innovation and ethical technology. A member of the House of Lords, he has been at the forefront of shaping UK policy on artificial intelligence, digital assets, and emerging technologies, championing fairness, accessibility, and trust. Widely recognised for his influence on ethical AI and inclusion, Lord Holmes advises government and the Civil Service and inspires organisations to put people at the heart of technological progress.
REGULATORY KEYNOTE
Alison Walters, Director Consumer Finance - Financial Conduct Authority
Alison was recently appointed Consumer Finance Director responsible for supervision and policy of consumer credit firms. She represents the FCA on the Financial Inclusion Access to Credit sub-group.
Alison has worked at the FCA (and its predecessor the Financial Services Authority) for more than 25 years and worked on strategic, policy and supervisory issues across general insurance, Payments and retail and wholesale banking sectors and spent time in Enforcement. In 2023, Alison obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies, CPE with commendation.
SPEAKER
John Fairhurst, Chief Risk Officer - PayPlan
John has been involved in debt advice since the late 1980s, initially as a CAB volunteer, then a specialist caseworker followed by 10 years in various policy roles at CitA. He was also active in the Money Advice Association (now IMA) serving on their National Committee and as Vice Chair, and has been a member of the MALG Board of Directors since 2018.
Since 2000 John has worked at PayPlan and has maintained an active interest in policy work. Current interests include the behavioral aspects of consumer engagement in debt advice and improving the regulation of IVAs.
SPEAKER
Bio coming soon…
Wayne Lloyd, Founder & CEO - Smarter Contracts
FACILITATOR
Chris has spent over 15 years in executive roles, leading transformation and delivering performance improvements in businesses in the UK, Canada and across many other markets around the world. With a passion for new ideas, technology and process innovation, he helps teams find new ways of working to improve performance.
Chris frequently speaks at events and conferences. He is always keen to look ahead of the curve, demystify and share experience with a wider audience. For him it is all about helping create great conversations in order to generate great solutions. Check out the conversation at RO-AR.com.
Chris Warburton, Director - ROStrategy // RO-AR.com
PANELLIST
Deven Ghelani is one of the original architects of Universal Credit and works to improve public services by bringing policy insight and technology expertise together.
He founded Policy in Practice, a social policy analytics company, to make the welfare system simple to understand. Policy in Practice supports over 2m people through their Benefit Calculator on GOV.UK and over 100 local authorities use their LIFT analytics platform to proactively target financial and social support to people in need. He advises public sector leaders on social security and the use of data in government.
Deven Ghelani, Director & Founder - Policy in Practice
PANELLIST
Jacqueline Berry is the Founder of My Care Consultant (MCC), a national organisation providing independent later-life care planning advice across the UK. Established in 2016, MCC was created to make understanding, finding and funding care more accessible through trusted, impartial guidance.
Jacqueline has 19 years’ experience across financial services and the care sector, including specialist long-term care expertise gained at Just Group. MCC is an award-winning firm and the creator of innovative online platforms supporting families and financial advisers in later-life care planning.
Jacqueline Berry, Founder - My Care Consultant (MCC)
FACILITATOR
Helen Beaumont Manahan is a specialist in customer contacts, quality assurance and customer experience, with particular expertise in supporting vulnerable customers across regulated sectors.
As Director of Client Success & CX at the National Support Network (NSN), she partners with leading brands in financial services, utilities, housing and beyond to embed compassionate, data-driven approaches to supporting vulnerability. With a career spanning decades in quality, training design, and behavioural coaching, Helen is a frequent industry speaker and judge known for blending humanity, emotional intelligence and regulation into practical strategies that strengthen colleague confidence and customer outcomes.
Helen Beaumont Manahan, Director, Client Success & CX - National Support Network (NSN)
PANELLIST
Cath Wohlers, Operations Manager - England Illegal Money Lending Team
Cath Wohlers is one of the Operations Managers with the England Illegal Money Lending Team. She has spent 18 years managing the victim support, intelligence generation and preventative work that the team does. Her team undertake research into who is borrowing from loan sharks and why, and develop and deliver projects to help those affected by this crime.
PANELLIST
Lee Healey is the Founder and CEO of IncomeMax, the award-winning social enterprise helping people across the UK access the financial support they’re entitled to. Since 2009, IncomeMax has supported over 150,000 households and unlocked more than £50 million in confirmed income, combining compassionate human advice with innovative technology.
A former DWP decision maker turned social entrepreneur, Lee is recognised nationally for his leadership in income maximisation, vulnerability strategy, and ethical AI in welfare support. He serves on the advisory board of Martin Lewis’ Money & Mental Health Policy Institute and regularly appears in national media as a welfare expert.
Lee’s mission is simple: to build systems of knowledge, compassion, and fairness that help people live with dignity and security.
Lee Healey, Founder - IncomeMax
PANELLIST
Carla Cooper Robinson is a Senior Financial Services Specialist at Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA), the UK’s only charity dedicated to transforming responses to economic abuse. In her role, Carla works with stakeholders across the financial services sector to improve how financial services identify and respond to economic abuse.
Her work includes leading and supporting consultancy with banks and financial services firms to embed safer, survivor-centred approaches into products, services, strategies, and processes. Alongside this, she works with regulators and sector bodies to inform and influence policy, guidance, and practice, drawing on research, survivor insight and regulatory frameworks to drive practical and lasting change for victim-survivors.
Carla Cooper Robinson, Senior Financial Services Specialist - Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA)
FACILITATOR
Russell is Chief Executive Officer of CIVEA. He was previously Chief Executive of the Consumer Finance Association, working with legislators, regulators and consumer organisations to raise standards in the short-term lending industry. He is a commentator and industry spokesman with a strong media profile, frequently appearing on national radio and television.
Russell has held senior positions at the Finance and Leasing Association and helped to establish the Energy Retail Association (now known as Energy UK). He has worked for successive governments in the Chief Whip’s Office in Downing Street. He was private secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal and was parliamentary clerk to the Attorney General.
Russell Hamblin-Boone, Chief Executive – Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA)
PANELLIST
Chris is Chief Executive of the Enforcement Conduct Board, the independent oversight body for the enforcement sector in England and Wales. He began his career at the Ministry of Justice where he helped to bring in a pioneering new regulatory framework for legal services.
He then moved to the Bar Standards Board where he set up new approaches to barrister regulation as well as delivering a supervision function and leading the first ever round of on-site audits of barristers' chambers.
Before taking up his current role in March 2023, Chris spent eight years at the Legal Services Board where he held a number of senior roles including Director of Policy and Oversight.
Chris Nichols, Chief Executive - Enforcement Conduct Board
PANELLIST
Daniel Calcott is the Founder & CEO at The Digital DRA, the UK’s first FCA authorised Debt Resolution Agency. With extensive experience in the debt industry, Daniel is revolutionising the field by focusing on customer empowerment, fairness, and transparency. His innovative approach seeks to rebrand the industry and move away from the negative perceptions of traditional debt collection.
Daniel Calcott, Founder & CEO - Digital DRA
FACILITATOR
Peg Alexander, CEO - MALG
Peg Alexander will be taking up the role of CEO of Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) in March 2026. She brings more than 30 years’ experience across broadcasting, communications, public service, and the voluntary sector. Her career has focused on social justice, poverty, and community engagement, alongside a prominent profile as a television and radio presenter and event host.
.
PANELLIST
Kenneth Doherty, Chief Technical Officer - Finvence
Kenneth is the CTO of Finvence, specialising in AI-powered data solutions, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics. With a PhD in Applied Mathematics and over 18 years of industry experience, he has led the development of emerging technologies and is highly skilled in extracting actionable insights from diverse and complex data sources.
PANELLIST
Bio coming soon…
Steve Preston, Data Scientist - elanev
PANELLIST
Dr Emma Williamson is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and CEO and Founder of aneemo, a health edtech social enterprise training platform supporting health, voluntary, and social care professionals working with people experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantage. With over 20 years’ experience leading innovation within the NHS, she founded the award-winning Psychology in Hostels, the largest homeless psychology service in Europe.
Dr Williamson is a published author, government advisor, visiting lecturer, and international trainer, and has been widely recognised for her pioneering work in trauma-informed care, health inequality, and the use innovative training approaches to support frontline staff from any sector.
Dr. Emma Williamson (DClinPsych, MSc, BSc. Hons) - Consultant Clinical Psychologist/CEO & Founder - aneemo
FACILITATOR
Kevin Still has over 35 years’ experience across the credit industry, financial services and the public sector. He has held senior European executive roles with organisations including Intrum Justitia and Equifax, and has been on the FCA register since 2008.
Kevin has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, digital transformation and debt management, working with organisations such as HMRC, Capgemini and Lowell Group. He is Director of specialist credit management consultancies and holds advisory and governance roles across several industry bodies. Kevin holds a BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Kevin Still, Principal Consultant & Non-Executive Director - Vulnerability Registration Service
PANELLIST
Bio coming soon…
Jemma Baker, Deputy Director - Ofgem
PANELLIST
Raminta Diliso, Senior Partnerships Manager - GamCare
Raminta Diliso is Senior Partnerships Manager at GamCare, where she works with financial services to address gambling‑related financial harms. She specialises in building strategic collaborations that help organisations develop practical solutions to prevent harm and better support vulnerable customers.
PANELLIST
Andrew White is the Senior Leader for Social Policy at the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents the interests of water customers in England and Wales. He has more three decades experience in regulation and consumer representation within the water Industry.
Andrew’s work has led to improved recognition of the need to address water affordability, and the establishment of social tariff schemes now supporting more than 2m households. In 2021 Andrew led CCW’s independent review of water affordability for government - setting out a roadmap to further improve support.
Andrew White, Senior Leader for Social Policy – Consumer Council for Water (CCW)
PANELLIST
Doug Little-Bennet, Partnerships Manager - Plain Numbers
Doug supports financial service firms, utilities companies, debt charities and regulators to improve their communications so more people can understand. He’s passionate about enhancing clarity so that customers can get the best possible outcomes.
Doug delivers training for communications professionals, works directly with practitioners on improving their communication and helps organisations embed best practice in their culture and processes. He’s an expert in applying the Plain Numbers Method to specific communications and has comprehensive experience in supporting organisations to use it to make sure more customers can understand information they need to make informed choices. This work helps all customers, but especially those who might be considered vulnerable because of low financial capability.
CLOSING KEYNOTE
Bio coming soon…
