Location: The International Convention Centre Birmingham

In an increasingly uncertain international scene, it’s more important than ever to deliver a stable and growing economy for our people and communities. For 250 years, building societies have been not only business success stories but pillars of stability in their communities. In this opening keynote, CBI CEO Rain Newton-Smith will argue that backing building societies is mission critical for…
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In his final keynote address to the Building Societies Annual Conference, Robin explores the opportunities for the co-operative and mutual banking sector to build strong, positive futures in a fast-changing and unpredictable world.

This session explores how building societies can enhance member and employee experiences by aligning business goals with smart technology adoption. By leveraging data, modern platforms, and process improvements, societies can deliver more personalised, efficient services while empowering colleagues with the tools to better support members. The conversation will also highlight the importance of consistent, connected experiences across all engagement channels—from…
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We’re entering an extraordinary era where generative AI and agents will automate unprecedented parts of our building societies — making operations faster, smarter, and more efficient than ever before. At the same time, the baseline expectations of our members keep rising. The organizations that will thrive aren’t those with the most advanced technology, but those who master the delicate balance…
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The panel focuses on how cooperative, mutual, and community banks can modernise and adapt to the increasingly competitive environment without losing their core identity – and what regulatory evolution is needed to support this. Panellists will exchange their respective countries’ supervisory perspectives, provide examples of how their banks are managing risks in a way that aligns with the cooperative governance…
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Debbie Crosbie will discuss Nationwide’s strategy to use its model to transform the banking landscape in the UK, and how its acquisition of Virgin Money opened opportunities for businesses in the UK to bank with a full-service mutual for the first time.

Join renowned keynote speaker and bestselling author Steven Van Belleghem on an inspiring journey into the future of customer experience. In his captivating keynote, “The Customer Experience Renaissance,” Steven explores how the rise of AI is reshaping customer expectations, purchasing behaviours, information gathering, and payment methods. As groundbreaking technologies redefine interactions, businesses must urgently adapt to meet these new customer…
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As the UK housing market evolves, the path to homeownership is changing for first-time buyers, older borrowers, and lenders. This session will explore the role of mortgage reform in improving access, affordability, and financial resilience across the housing journey. The session begins with a keynote address from Emad Aladhal from the Financial Conduct Authority on Mortgage Reform and Regulatory Landscape, and…
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