In this Season 4 opener, we look at cryptocurrency and gambling. Unpacking its rise and effects are Raminta Diliso (GamCare Financial Harm Project) and Jason (who shares his experience of the impact and loopholes that crypto introduced to his gambling), with Chris Fitch asking the key question: what, if anything, can financial service and other firms do to tackle this? https://www.gamcare.org.uk/outreach-and-training/gambling-related-financial-harm/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramintad/

In her final lecture, Elizabeth focuses on the power of listening. Identifying this not only as an individual human skill we all need to develop, but also as the core of an effective organisational strategy on vulnerability and inclusion, Elizabeth introduces different ways of listening for our organisation to connect, prevent harm, and deliver change. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

In her second lecture, Elizabeth explores whether concepts like fairness, equity, diversity, and inclusion can really help organisations measure and improve customer outcomes. Explaining why it is critical to go beyond surface-level metrics, Elizabeth identifies how we can identify hidden harms, and the role of disaggregated data in understanding who benefits - and who is being left behind. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

In her first of three lectures, Elizabeth enters the world of the ‘Inclusion Allies’ – the people, networks, and groups who can help us build inclusion from within. Examining how such relationships can drive powerful change, Elizabeth outlines the practical steps needed to draw on lived experience from within organisations and sectors, and how such connections are essential to short and long-term impact. LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakelock/

Can Ofgem’s 2025 Consumer Vulnerability Strategy really lead to better services? Just what is new about it? And how will it meet an army of challenges ranging from net-zero to the cost of living to market reform? Beth Martin lights up the strategy, explains how Ofgem will hold “firms’ feet to the fire” to deliver it, and outlines the everyday differences that consumers will notice. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/Final%20CVS%2015042025-20250414111309.pdf

In this bonus episode, Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs returns to explore the newly released 2025 Financial Abuse Code from UK Finance. Building on a decade of development, the Code outlines seven pillars for firms to better identify and support customers. But how well will it protect victim-survivors of economic abuse? Nicola explains all to Chris Fitch. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nicola-sharp-jeffs-obe-cf-frsa-685a646/ https://allthingseconomicabuse.com/ https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/system/files/202504/Financial%20Abuse%20Code%20report.pdf

Nicola Sharp-Jeffs has been the UK’s leading voice on economic abuse over the last two decades, and is now bringing about change on the global stage. In her first public conversation since stepping down as CEO of the charity she founded, Surviving Economic Abuse, Nicola explains what economic abuse means to her, the policy milestones and practical mountains she has encountered, and just how all essential services – not just financial, but including energy to gas to telecommunication companies – can act to both change and save victim-survivors lives. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nicola-sharp-jeffs-obe-cf-frsa-685a646 https://allthingseconomicabuse.com/

Chatter about 'inclusive design' has never been greater - but a significant difference exists between discussing the approach, and actually doing it. Jo Ellis and Katherine Snow explain how Tesco Bank made the shift from eulogising about inclusive design to actually embedding it in within the organisation. Outlining the process they followed, they describe to Chris Fitch the crests and challenges they encountered, how they overcame these, and provide a key case-study in ‘doing’ rather than ‘talking’. Links: Jo Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-ellis-b614a160/ Katherine Snow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesnow/ New Inclusive Design training course - https://moneyadvicetrust.org/training-and-consultancy/nile/

Episode 44 - COGA – design’s best kept secret? by Money Advice Trust

Financial inclusion is in the spotlight - but what does it actually mean? Howard Taylor - Financial Inclusion Commissioner and PwC Director – explains all, and provides a simple, memorable, and surprisingly entertaining way to understand how the complex relationship between financial inclusion, vulnerability and accessibility works in practice. Howard also outlines the key pillars and pathways to inclusion, why 1990s sporting icon Ray Parlour is important to all this, and what the new Government Financial Inclusion Committee could mean for the UK. Howard Taylor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-taylor-55021825/ Financial Inclusion Commission - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukfinclusion Financial Inclusion Committee - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-inclusion-committee