The first ABCUL conference held face-to-face in two years provided two moments of pride for Northern Community Bank as President Gerard Spain received the 2022 Kirit Patel Award and Chief Business Officer Tia Warbrick graduated from the CU Futures programme.

Gerard’s award acknowledged his significant contribution to the North West ABCUL forum and wider community bank movement. ABCUL President Paul Norgrove revealed that Gerard was to be honoured with the award in front of over 200 delegates for service to the credit union sector and recognised the management accounting tool kit developed by the Northern Community Bank President. 

Gerard has been the President of Northern Community Bank for 16 years, overseeing phenomenal growth and development in serving the communities that we provide ethical savings and affordable loan services to – we could not be any more proud to see him receive this much deserved award.

The Northern Community Bank pride continues for our Chief Business Officer Tia. Tia joined six CU Futures colleagues graduating from the 10 month personal and professional development programme for community bank professionals aged 35 or under. The aim of CU Futures is to train, retain talent and create the next generation of community bank leaders.

The course incorporates formal learning through an accredited qualification alongside personal development through The Pacific Institute, networking and engagement, presentation and media skills training, led by former Chair of the Community Bank Foundation and journalist Liz Barclay. Tia also had the opportunity to visit both community and industrial credit unions to gain a greater insight into how other community banks operate – including London Plus, Serve & Protect and Penny Post.

During the CU Futures graduation it was highlighted that during its seven year existence 65 young professionals have graduated from the programme – 58 of those are still working in the credit union sector and many hold senior roles within their organisations. As last year’s ABCUL conference was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tia and her colleagues were joined by last year’s graduates on stage to celebrate their achievements.

As a Community Bank, we totally endorse the description of Tia and her fellow graduates; they are not the future leaders of the credit union movement – they are the leaders of today.