Countrywide change: CHASM’s national work

Other news

Putting consumers and collaboration at the heart of financial inclusion 

Following the announcement that Labour would introduce a national financial inclusion strategy if it came to power, on the fringe of the 2024 Labour Party Conference, CHASM’s Professor Martin Coppack teamed up with The New Statesman to discuss what this new strategy could look like. Martin reinforced “Financial exclusion is a key barrier to wellbeing, security, and prosperity. If we can break down this barrier, as well as the barriers of siloed working and absence of consumer voice in policy-making, we can improve the lives of millions of people, unlocking growth and opportunity across the country.”

The Public-Private Mix in Pensions - A Comparative Perspective

CHASM’s Ellie Suh was a co-organiser of “The Public-Private Mix in Pensions - A Comparative Perspective” - a seminar hosted by the Social Policy Association Pensions Policy Research Group. The seminar offered a unique opportunity to hear from leading experts in the field, gain valuable insights, and engage in simulating discussions on pension systems. The agenda brought together academics from various countries to discuss and explore the intricate balance between public and private pension systems.

Financial Education Parliamentary Reception

Professor Adele Atkinson represented CHASM at the Financial Education Parliamentary Reception, hosted by Jerome Mayhew MP, Chair of the All-Party-Parliamentary-Group on Financial Education for Young People. Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, there were speeches from Jerome Mayhew, Martin Lewis CBE (award-winning journalist and founder of Money Saving Expert). “We’re optimistic, having seen so many MPs and Peers at the reception, showing a strong interest from the government in the importance of financial education for young people.”

Strengthening the intergenerational contract – investing for intergenerational fairness – Parliamentary roundtable event

Dr Louise Overton was invited to join a roundtable event at the House of Lords in January this year hosted by The Rt Hon. the Lord Willetts to discuss the policy implications of ILC UK’s research on intergenerational wealth inequality. The report highlighted that while median total wealth for those aged 65 to 69 increased by 46%, or £112,597, between 2010-11 and 2019-20, the median wealth for those in their late thirties in 2019-20 increased by just 9%, or £6,751, during the same period. The share of wealth held by younger people has plummeted, with just 4% of wealth held by the under-40s (down from 7.5% in 2010). The merits of public and private solutions were discussed, the need for policy makers and financial services to support future generations’ retirement incomes; democratise access to savings products from birth and support long-term investment to pool risk for the benefit of future generations.

CHASM team member recognised for outstanding contribution to sustainable and responsible business

Professor Karen Elliott is a socio-technologist and entrepreneur committed to ongoing research towards establishing an equitable digital society—sustainable and responsible outcomes for business, society, and the planet.

Karen was selected for ‘Santander W50’, a programme for global female talent development, which boasts a network of over 1,300 women leaders. Through the programme, Karen becomes part of an esteemed global network and has received leadership training.

Selected from over 450 applicants, Karen commented on a positive experience and a ‘palpable buzz’ at Santander HQ, during an event shared with other UK leading female executives and leaders, selected from over 450 applicants and celebrated accordingly.

Karen has co-authored the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA), Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR), ‘P7010 CDR White Paper’, supporting Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR).

The White Paper is part of a holistic mechanism that enables organizations to understand their responsibilities for the use/reuse of data and digital technologies in providing safe digital environments for stakeholders, whilst taking responsibility in preserving the planet and its finite resources.

Endorsing Karen’s leadership and expertise in this area, Deborah Hagar, IEEE SA Standards Board Member, stated ‘I have proposed adoption of her published Corporate Digital Responsibility Manifesto as a normative standard for the digital/technology Recommended Practice in IEEE’s P7010.1, and engaged her team of academic and professionals in sharing their highly valued expertise.’

Karen is a member of The City of London Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce which brings employers, government, and third sector organisations together to tackle digital talent shortages in the UK by promoting mid-career female career changers as an untapped talent solution. The aim of the Taskforce is to help businesses fill talent gaps while also addressing the underrepresentation of women working in digital careers by providing them with vital skills to future-proof the digital workforce. The 'Turn to Tech' initiative encourages the hiring of mid-career women from non-technical backgrounds into finance - addressing skills gaps whilst also promoting equity in the digital workforce.

Improving financial outcomes across long lives

Dr Louise Overton has been invited to join the International Longevity Centre UK’s (ILC) new Financial Services Expert Panel. to: Bring experience and insight into ILC’s work on longevity and finances and help develop their policy and practice solutions. The panel will meet quarterly to discuss issues and ideas relating to finance, savings and pensions. To kickstart the activities of the Panel, Louise will be joining the ILC for a dinner debate on 9 July on Improving financial outcomes across long lives

Digital Futures for Good - financial and digital inclusion

In December 2024 Professor Martin Coppack joined experts for the “Digital Futures for Good panel discussion - financial and digital inclusion”. Introduced by Good Things Foundation CEO, Helen Milner, the four panel experts explored the significant, and increasing links between financial inclusion and digital inclusion. With different perspectives - business, regulatory, and civil society - the panellists shared their assessment of the challenges and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and innovation.

Vulnerability conference

Vulnerability 2025 Conference brought together colleagues across the financial services sector to discuss the implications of the Financial Conduct Authority’s recent review of firms’ treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances. Participants drawn from financial services, lived experience backgrounds, and other key sectors, included CHASM’s Professor Martin Coppack. Martin was part of the opening session 'First impressions: Taking stock of the FCA review', alongside representatives of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, UK Finance, and Rogue Interrobang. They identified embedding inclusion; how to build role relevant training; and measuring outcomes as key areas for improvement for firms.

Advancing Financial Inclusion and Consumer Resiliency in UK Parliament

A partnership of PRA Group UK and StepChange Debt Charity brought together stakeholders representing banks, credit monitoring agencies, not-for-profits, regulatory agencies and the government, on 4 Feb 2025 at the Palace of Westminster in London. Martin Coppack attended the event, which event drew attention to the importance of financial inclusion and building the resilience of UK households. The discussion highlighted how changes to credit scoring could reduce barriers for consumers to seek help and improve access to affordable financing.

Debt Awareness Week

In her blog, ‘Understanding the debt loop’, Professor Adele Atkinson explained the cycle of debt.

Future of Ageing

Professor Adele Atkinson shared findings from recent CHASM research undertaken in collaboration with the Financial Inclusion Commission at the fascinating International Longevity Centre UK conference on the Future of Ageing. Adele spoke about how financial inclusion needs a multipronged approach that tackles poverty, access to, and use of, appropriate products and information, education and advice. During the research we saw first hand how people with lived experience of financial exclusion are keen to know more about how other people manage their money and the products they use. 

Financial Inclusion week

Professor Adele Atkinson produced a podcast as part of the Centre for Financial Inclusion’s 10^th Financial Inclusion.