Practitioners Forum programme

10.00-11.10am: Legal update from Anthony Collins Solicitors

David Alcock, Anthony Collins Solicitors

A firm favourite at Practitioners Forum, experts from Anthony Collins Solicitors will run through the changes in law most pertinent to you and your co-operative's governance.  

11.30am-12.30pm: Younger voices in the boardroom

Ali Wilson, Contact Theatre; Osaro Otobo, British Youth Council

This session is all about involving younger people in co-operative governance (including on co-operative boards). But how do you attract a more youthful presence (and indeed why should you)? Delegates will hear from Osaro Otobo, Deputy Chair of the British Youth Council (BYC) and Ali Wilson, Vice-Chair of the Contact Theatre in Manchester. 

Osaro will cover the work of the BYC in ensuring young people are empowered to get involved in their communities and democracy. Ali will focus on the Contact's young-person centred approach to decision-making and how they have built this into the theatre's governance. Both will share personal experiences and the benefits that young voices bring to the board.

1.30-2.30pm: Data Protection Update: Latest developments and what they mean for your co-op

Ibrahim Hasan, Act Now Training

In her speech at the Conservative Party Conference on 3rd October 2022, Michelle Donelen the new minister in charge of data protection, gave notice of bigger changes to the UK Data Protection regime than envisaged in The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.

“I am announcing that we will be replacing GDPR with our own business and consumer-friendly, British data protection system… In its place, we will co-design with business a new system of data protection. We will look to those countries who achieve data adequacy without having GDPR, like Israel, Japan, South Korea, Canada and New Zealand.”

In this session, Ibrahim Hasan of Act Now Training, examines the government’s plans and how they will impact the UK GDPR and PECR. Ibrahim will also analyse all the latest news and enforcement action from the UK and across Europe to help you form an action plan for avoiding the attention of the ICO.

2.50-4.00pm: Board diversity – five steps to success

Sue Johnson, Berwick Partners (an Odgers Berndtson company)

Time and time again, research is published demonstrating that Diverse Boards are, quite simply, good for business. Yet the pathway to success – the silver bullet - doesn’t exist. This session by Sue Johnson, Consultancy Managing Partner at Odgers Berndtson I&D, will outline the five steps organisations can take to ensure board diversity. Some are simple; some are tough; all are worthwhile.

This is not a sit back and listen session. Come prepared to interact, contribute and debate. Everyone will learn and take away practical next steps and actions.

10.00-11.10am: Members as owners... How to handle the member engagement conundrum

Sue Froggatt, Sue Froggatt Training and Consulting

How do co-operatives engage members? How do we go beyond the transactional relationship - to truly engage members as owners of their co-operative and even involve members in governance activities.

Not all members are keen on annual general meetings (AGMs) or getting involved in the nuts and bolts of an organisation. But with the increased need to engage members in this way, how do you make the ownership process as meaningful as any other member engagement journey?

In this session trainer and consultant Sue Froggatt will cover:

• The background to the consumer/owner conundrum

• Different options and frameworks to increase understanding and find solutions - with examples from other membership associations

• Simple and practical ways to increase engagement and involvement.

11.30am-12.30pm: Membership journey mapping workshop – using mapping processes and tools to understand your members

Sue Froggart, Sue Froggatt Training and Consulting

Join trainer and consultant Sue Froggatt to unravel mapping processes and other tools to understand your members.

From this practical workshop delegates will:

• Understand the benefits of undertaking a membership journey mapping exercise

• Take away tools and processes required to walk through what members experience – and get an 'outside in' view

• Be able to use member mapping to demonstrate the value of membership and achieve their organisation's aims

Extra bonus. All delegate attending this session will receive a free e-copy of Managing the Membership Experience by Sue Froggatt and Mark Levin by RRP £19.95.

1.30-2.30pm: Data protection update – latest developments and what they mean for your co-op

Ibrahim Hasan, Act Now Training

In her speech at the Conservative Party Conference on 3rd October 2022, Michelle Donelen the new minister in charge of data protection, gave notice of bigger changes to the UK Data Protection regime than envisaged in The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.

“I am announcing that we will be replacing GDPR with our own business and consumer-friendly, British data protection system… In its place, we will co-design with business a new system of data protection. We will look to those countries who achieve data adequacy without having GDPR, like Israel, Japan, South Korea, Canada and New Zealand.”

In this session, Ibrahim Hasan of Act Now Training, examines the government’s plans and how they will impact the UK GDPR and PECR. Ibrahim will also analyse all the latest news and enforcement action from the UK and across Europe to help you form an action plan for avoiding the attention of the ICO.

2.50-4.00pm: How to identify problems and ideate solutions

Naomi Timperley, TechNorth

It can be difficult to identify issues - and sometimes even more difficult to solve those issues. That's where this session, led by Naomi Timperley, co-founder of Tech North Advocates and GSI, comes in. Delegates will develop the ability to create strategies and implement quick decision-making processes to identify problems and find solutions. We will explore how to get key stakeholders to articulate clear problems; to identify target audiences; to define problems from the customer’s perspective; to understand when and where problems occur; and discover customer benefits and value to the business.

This session will also focus on the effective generation of ideas. People often struggle with brainstorming sessions. In fact, the concept is associated with ineffectiveness - where interesting and innovative ideas get quickly stomped on groupthink and loud voices. Delegates will learn how to effectively generate ideas while avoiding the common pitfalls of brainstorming sessions.

10.00-11.10am: Access to finance for co-ops

Tim Coomer, Co-operative and Community Finance; Matt Bland, The Co-operative Credit Union; Adam Burke, The Co-operative Bank; Chaired by Rose Marley, Co-operatives UK

Hear from three leading organisations that provide specialist financial services and support to co-operatives. In this session, chaired by Rose Marley, delegates will leave with a greater understanding of the financing options for their co-operative, members and employee – from dedicated bank accounts and loans to specialist accounting products.

11.30am-12.30pm: Raise finance with a community shares offer

John Dawson, Co-operatives UK

With more than £200 million raised over the last decade, community shares are coming of age. Could this unique form of finance work for your co-operative? Join this interactive session to hear about the community shares market (including recent share offer examples) and also the support on offer.

Led by Co-operatives UK's Head of Market Development, John Dawson, this is an opportunity to explore whether community shares would work for your co-operative. Ask questions and join in the discussion about this unique form of raising investment alongside building an active membership base

1.30-2.30pm: Cyber security for co-operatives

Tim Robinson, Crowe UK

With increasingly clever technology, scams and breaches, cyber security is a concern for all business – large and small. In this session we will explore the latest trends and how to spot them; how to arm your colleagues with cyber security awareness, so as not to get caught out; and critically, why co-operatives have additional risks to consider.

This session is being delivered by Tim Robinson of Crowe LLP, a public accounting, consulting and technology firm with offices around the world.

2.50-4.00pm: Accounts and financial reporting – what you need to know for 2023

Warren Middleton, KPMG

KPMG's tax and accounting experts will provide a technical update on emerging developments in accounting, reporting and regulatory requirements, coupled with any updates on UK tax law.

Along with an employment law update, the HR stream follows a theme covering the financial pressures co-operatives and their employees/workers/members are facing. 

10.00-11.10am: Supporting employees through the cost-of-living crisis

Ken Mulkearn, Incomes Data Research

The cost-of-living crisis is beginning to bite even deeper and has serious implications for employers and employees. Ken Mulkearn, of Incomes Data Research, will examine the key issues for HR/pay decision-makers in the year ahead. Ken will look at official measures of low pay (Voluntary Living Wage and National Living Wage) and where they're headed. He'll also explore what employers have been doing to help employees in terms of pay, benefits and wider conditions (and associated benefits for employers as well as employees).

In this informative session, Ken will also look at projections for 2023 in terms of economy, inflation and labour market outlooks.

11.30am-12.30pm: Looking after employees' financial wellbeing

Heather Lee, Linconshire Co-op; Nick Speight, Co-op Group

Co-operatives are known for going above and beyond when it comes to employees/workers/colleagues. The Co-op Group's Nigh Speight and Heather Lee, from Lincolnshire Co-op, will talk through the support they are putting in place for employees around financial wellbeing. Nick and Heather will also run through the research both organisations have conducted into what employees need - and the emergency support packages they have developed as a result.

1.30-2.30pm: Employment law update

Emma Bagshaw, Seabury Legal

Emma Bagshaw, of employment law and HR specialists Seabury Legal, will examine recent and upcoming changes in employment law and implications for businesses. The spotlight will focus on areas having most impact on co-operative businesses - especially now we have a new Prime Minister and Cabinet in place.

2.50-4.00pm: Executive pay outlook for 2023

Deborah Hall, Korn Ferry; Helen Mussen, Korn Ferry; Louise Dean, Korn Ferry

Speakers from Korn Ferry will examine the outlook for executive pay in 2023 and the things employers are considering when setting pay levels, wider benefits and other ways to reward employees. This session will be of particular interest to those who set pay at executive levels within organisations and advise their remuneration committee (Remco).

10.00-11.10am: Get socially aware – social media trends

Dan Slee, Dan Slee C2 Ltd

Whether it's Facebook kittens, Twitter debates or Instagram filters, the world is hungry for content on social media. And better content means better engagement. So, what does your audience want to see, like and share? With good planning, clever strategy and targeted scheduling, putting the right content in front of the right people doesn't need to be a shot in the dark. Delegates will emerge form this session with the tools to create a social media strategy.

Dan Slee is a digital communications specialist and experienced trainer. Clients have included Dublin City Council, Punch Taverns, McDonalds, UK Government Foreign Office, MacMillan Cancer and Manchester City Council.

11.30am-12.30pm: You've got mail – creating successful email campaigns

Tony Ball, Co-op Group

Have you ever just been told to "just send a quick mailer" to your co-op’s members? For many co-operatives, email is one of the most important ways to connect with members and/or customers. A well crafted email, with the right content for the right audience is a fantastic way to engage with your audience. It can be targeted, cost-effective, measurable and impactful. But it's not always easy to get it right.

Learn the key rules for creating successful email campaigns – from impactful subject lines and good content, design and structure, to segmentation. You will leave inspired and equipped with the knowledge and skills to increase open and click-through rates!

Tony Ball has been working within Co-op Group’s CRM team for over 10 years, leading their work to curate engaging and impactful campaigns to its members. He has led on initiatives such as the DMA award-nominated Welcome programme, the implementation of eCommerce CRM, through to the development of “Always on” and triggered email campaigns to customers in Insurance. 

1.30-2.30pm: Producing the right marketing and communications strategy for your co-op

Dan Slee, Dan Slee C2 Ltd

This session is all about producing a marketing and communications strategy fit for purpose for your co-op. It'll help define your audience alongside the other steps required to get the right message, to the right people, at the right time. 

So who is the audience? What's your unique selling proposition (USP)? What's the most appropriate channel to reach your audience? What's the messaging? And how do we know if we're successful? Leave this session with an understanding of what a strategy is, why it's important and a starting point for developing your own.

2.50-4.00pm: Getting up to speed with TikTok: more than a platform for dances

Dan Slee, Dan Slee C2 Ltd

TikTok has gone from a standing start to more than 10 million users in the UK alone. It's the flavour of the month. But what is it? How can you take advantage of it? A session to help explain the platform is more than just people dancing. It can be an engaging way to reach new audiences. We'll also cover how you can put a toe in the water and also get started.