MALG celebrates 30th anniversary

The Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) is celebrating its 30th anniversary. MALG was established in 1987 as a forum for shared best practice and communication in the debt and money advice sector in the UK.

MALG has recently re-branded, re-launched and introduced a new membership structure aimed at widening participation across the advice, credit, collection, enforcement, fintech, policy-making, and regulatory sectors. Member organisations, which now fall into four categories, all commit to MALG’s aim of ‘working together to improve the lives of people in debt’. MALG’s role is to bring together members through regular meetings and an annual conference.

Following the appointment of Executive Officer Bob Winnington in April 2016, the organisation has gone from strength to strength with a new corporate identity, new website, enhanced social media presence, and the acquisition of 20 new ‘National Business Members’. MALG’s new ‘Affiliate Member’ category includes regulators and Government departments, while ‘Strategic Members’ are made up of advice and credit sector industry bodies.

MALG’s Chair, broadcaster Liz Barclay, said: “We believe that to improve the lives of people with problem debt in the UK, we must professionalise, modernise and revolutionise money advice and, in particular, the relationship between advisers, creditors and wider stakeholders. I’m particularly excited about the opportunities that new technologies bring, which is why this year’s MALG conference will be about the future with an interactive exhibition featuring fintech companies demonstrating the latest kit.”

Carole Kenney, Customer Service Director at Phoenix Collections, said: “We are proud to be one of the first national business members of MALG, supporting a collaborative approach to improving the solutions available for those in financial hardship or vulnerable situations. MALG facilitates the sharing of expertise and best practice and provides a forum for joined up thinking and new ideas.”

 Sara Williams, volunteer Citizens Advice advisor and Debt Camel blogger, added: “Debt policy changes cannot be developed in isolation – all sectors of the industry need to talk. MALG facilitates these discussions. Through developments such as the Debt & Mental Health Evidence Form, it has driven the agenda for improvements.”

Details of MALG’s new membership packages and members can be found on its new website www.malg.org.uk and full details of the MALG 2017 Conference programme are due to be released soon.