Stakeholder Event 2018

Frederick Street | Aberdeen 11 May 2018

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Contents

Foreword ............................................................................................... 3

Event Brief ............................................................................................ 4

Timetable ............................................................................................... 5

AiB Speaker Information ..................................................................... 6

Debate panel ......................................................................................... 8

Venue Information ................................................................................ 9

AiB Attendees ..................................................................................... 10

Delegates ............................................................................................ 11

Notes.................................................................................................... 12

Feedback Form ................................................................................... 15

Appendix 1 – Workshop delegates ................................................... 17 Morning Workshop Session ....................................................................................... 17

Afternoon Workshop Session .................................................................................... 20

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Foreword Hello and welcome to the first of AiB’s 2018 stakeholder events. You all know how important the work to help people out of unsustainable debt is – for the individuals themselves, for their creditors, and for wider society. I am very aware that the Agency is just one player is that world, dealing with the statutory debt relief and debt management options, and that delivering the best outcomes requires all of us to work together. Indeed, we can’t do our work without you. We know you are often closer than we are to the frontline, and will have vital insights to how our processes and the legislation behind them work – or don’t work – in the real world. Today is therefore a chance for us to hear from you how we can work together to make things better. Much like the constantly changing debt environment itself, AiB is always looking to evolve these events year-on-year to ensure everyone gets the best out of them. This year is no different, with workshops and debates aimed at generating discussions not just on legislation and systems but to provide the forum for sharing personal experiences and individual opinions. We want to hear from you, to help us understand whether you agree with what we’re doing, and allow us to learn how can we work together to deliver services better to those who need them.

Richard Dennis

The Accountant in Bankruptcy & Agency Chief Executive

On behalf of myself and all my staff at AiB, I would like to welcome you to our 2018 event.

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Event Brief

Workshops

What’s bugging you? Tell AiB what it can do to make life better for you Presented by John Cook, Executive director of Case Operations

Critical reviews of debt products are set to take place over the coming year, which will have a major impact on how advisers and practitioners go about their business.

This session will seek to discuss issues, practices and processes that aren’t necessarily part of the legislation, but are nevertheless part and parcel of how we collectively assist our clients.

What can we do better? How can we work better together? What changes would you like to see to how we engage with you? Is there any best

practice you can share?

Building on BADA(S) Presented by Alex Reid, Head of Policy Development The changes ushered in by the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act have been in place for around three years now. Have they worked?

This session will look at the changes made since the Act came into force and what more needs to be done to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose for delivering debt relief and debt management in the 21st century.

A new dawn for DAS? Presented by Kelly Donohoe, Head of Debt Arrangement Scheme & Trust Deeds Steve McGhee, Programme Manager and Head of Efficiencies & Technology Team With changes to the DAS regulations imminent and a new online DAS case management system set to be rolled out in 2019, what can we expect from DAS in the future?

Do the changes go far enough?

This session will look at the new regulations, allow attendees to see an exclusive first demonstration of the DASH replacement system EDEN and will discuss the potential impact of the proposed UK breathing space initiative on DAS.

Panel debate Do current insolvency laws strike the right balance for both debtors and creditors? Chaired by: Laura Rogers, Aberdeen City Council Two speakers will present the case for and against the motion before seeking opinion and discussion from the audience.

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Timetable

10:20 - 10:50 Registration and refreshments

10:50 – 11:00

Welcome and introduction

Richard Dennis, The Accountant in Bankruptcy and Agency Chief Executive

11:00 - 12:15 Workshop session 1

What’s bugging you? Building on BADA(S) A new dawn for DAS?

Attendees for each session can be found on page 17 – 22

12:15 - 13:00 Lunch break

13:00 - 14:15 Workshop session 2

What’s bugging you? Building on BADA(S) A new dawn for DAS?

Attendees for each session can be found on pages 17 – 22

14:15 - 14:30 Refreshments

14:30 - 15:30 Panel debate

Panel Topic: Do current insolvency laws strike the right balance for both debtors and creditors

Chaired by: Laura Rogers

Debated by: Donna McKenzie-Skene & Kevin Mapstone

15:30 Close of conference and thanks

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AiB Speaker Information

Dr. Richard Dennis, The Accountant in Bankruptcy and Agency Chief Executive Richard joined Accountant in Bankruptcy on 1 April 2015. Richard’s previous career included spells at the Department of the Environment, the European Commission and HM Treasury, before moving to the Scottish Government in 2000. Before coming to AiB, he led the Scottish Government’s Fire and Rescue Division through the period of the creation of the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

John Cook, Executive Director of Case Operations

John joined Accountant in Bankruptcy in January 2005 after working for the

Department for Work and Pensions for 18 years.

Initially John was responsible for Debt Arrangement Scheme operations and in February 2007 was appointed Head of Case Operations at AiB.

John has overall responsibility for AiB’s case management and supervisory

functions related to bankruptcy, the Debt Arrangement Scheme and protected trust deeds. John is an AiB Board member and former chair of North Ayrshire

Citizens Advice Service.

Carol Kirk, Policy Review Team Leader

Carol joined Accountant in Bankruptcy in July 2015 and is responsible for the development and review of personal insolvency policy in Scotland. Carol’s previous roles in the Scottish Government include being the policy lead for the development of social enterprises and credit unions, and delivering the primary grant scheme to support the growth of businesses.

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AiB Speaker Information

Kelly Donohoe, Head of Debt Arrangement Scheme & Trust Deeds Kelly worked in various internal roles within AiB before moving on to lead the Debtor Applications team in October 2008. There, she oversaw the implementation of the legislative changes which introduced the low income, low asset process and changed how people apply for their own bankruptcy.

In 2010, Kelly helped oversee the introduction of the Certificate for Sequestration route to personal bankruptcy, and managed the operational transition for the team before becoming Senior Manager of the DAS and Trust Deed teams.

AiB Speaker Information

Brian Kennedy, Senior Business Analyst

Brian has been a business analyst with AiB since 2011.

Since joining AiB, Brian has been the business analyst in the ASTRA and CIS projects that introduced new systems for trust deeds and bankruptcy.

As project manager, he has worked on several projects to enhance these systems

including BASYS and now the new DASH replacement project.

Colin Jack, Technical lead, Leidos

Colin joined Leidos in 2010. Colin was one of three sprint team leads on the CIS project which delivered the CFT, BASYS and RoI systems for AiB and went on to lead the full technical team in 2016. In 2017, he led the delivery of the successful DAS proposal. He now leads the team charged with delivering the new DASH replacement project.

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Debate Panel

Laura Rogers, Senior Money Advisor, Aberdeen City Council

Laura joined Aberdeen City Council as a Debt Counsellor in 2012. She is now a Senior Money Adviser, managing her own team within the Financial Inclusion Team whilst still having an active role in case work. Laura started her career in an administrative post with local insolvency practitioners Invocas in 2006 before becoming Case Administrator until 2009, when she joined RSM Tenon as a Case Administrator working predominantly on trust deed and bankruptcy work.

Donna Mckenzie- Skene, University of Aberdeen

Donna McKenzie Skene worked as a solicitor from 1987 - 1992, focusing on court work, including all aspects of debt recovery.

She embarked on an academic career in 1992, specialising in insolvency law.

She has written the only Scottish legal textbook to cover both corporate and non-corporate insolvency law, as well as contributing a chapter on bankruptcy

law to one of the leading Scottish legal textbooks.

Kevin Mapstone, Relationship Manager – Grant Thornton UK LLP

Kevin joined Grant Thornton in 2014.

His role involves supporting free advice agencies, assisting their insolvent clients, bringing to bear his years of experience in the sector.

Kevin initially worked in retail banking with Lloyds TSB. After deciding he would prefer to help clients with debt problems, he took up a post with City of Edinburgh Council as a Debt Adviser, advising clients at Citizens Advice and providing financial advice to prisoners within HMP Edinburgh.

Kevin moved into insolvency in 2007, progressing to Grant Thornton where he now holds the position of Relationship Manager.

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Venue Information The venue for the Aberdeen event is:

Frederick Street Training Centre, Aberdeen, AB24 5HY The specific building positioned to the east side of Aberdeen City Centre is a training venue for Aberdeen City Council. It is located right next to a multi-storey car park and opposite the NHS Health Village. The building itself is a former school building in grey granite.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted at reception area and escorted around the building for the duration of the day. Please note that this building is generally not open to members of the public.

Fire Safety for Visitors All visitors should be made aware of the evacuation procedures for the building. Staff hosting or chairing meetings must make attendees aware of evacuation procedures. On hearing the fire alarm Calmly evacuate the building by the nearest available exit. If you discover a fire Immediately raise the alarm - shout to notify anyone in the vicinity. Activate the fire alarm system (e.g. using 'break glass' points). Evacuate the building. Further information in the event of an emergency evacuation will be provided on the day.

Directions Train The nearest rail station is Aberdeen. From the station, it is a 13 minute walk to Frederick Street.

Car There is a multi-storey car park directly next to the venue.

This is split by long stays and short stays. Long stays being on the higher levels (4 and above).

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AiB Attendees

Name Position

Richard Dennis The Accountant in Bankruptcy and Agency Chief Executive John Cook Executive Director of Case Operations

Carol Kirk Policy Review Team Leader

Kelly Donohoe Head of Debt Arrangement Scheme & Trust Deeds

Brian Kennedy Senior Business Analyst

Colin Jack Technical Lead, Leidos

Fiona Wilson Policy Development Manager

Steve McGhee Programme Manager & Head of Efficiencies and Technology

Gavin Young Leidos

Michelle De Valencia Debt Arrangement Scheme Case Manager

Jairo Valencia Insolvency Registrations Case Officer

Gavin Cameron Communications Manger

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Delegates

Name Company

Craig Rothnie Aberdeen City Council

Fiona Spendlow Moray Council

Gillian Tait Kincardine & Mearns Citizens Advice Bureau

Gloria Adibe Grampian Credit Union

Julie McNamee Moray Council

Juliet Taylor Moray Council

Kathleen Cousins Nairn Citizens Advice Bureau

Kevin Mapstone Grant Thornton UK LLP

Laura Rogers Aberdeen City Council

Margaret Mowat Banff & Buchan Citizens Advice Bureau

Mark Inglis mlm Solutions

Michelle Byrne Meston Reid & Co

Mohad Taib Ismail Grampian Housing Association

Morag Matthew Banff & Buchan Citizens Advice Bureau

Nicola Rollings Anderson Anderson & Brown

Paul Homer Nairn CAB

Pauline Hutchison The Highland Council

Rachel Smith Gordon Rural Action

Rachel Third Grampian Housing Association

Raymond Fettes Gordon Rural Action

Ross Morgan Meston Reid & Co

Ryan Flett Shelter Scotland

Sandra Murray Grampian Housing

Sandra Wallis Citizens Advice Bureau

Sarah Bedford Meston Reid & Co

Shona Fraser Turriff Citizens Advice Bureau

Stephen Curran Community Money Advice

Susan Cooper Aberdeen CAB

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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Feedback Form

Your feedback is valuable to us. We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to offer your feedback. All constructive feedback, both negative and positive, is of great value to us. Please complete the attached form and hand it to a member of staff on your way out.

Event Strongly agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

Overall, I found the event worthwhile

The information at the event was useful and well presented

Overall, the event was well facilitated

Additional comments:

Morning workshop (please circle/underline the workshop you attended)

How can we help? BADA(S) DAS I found the workshop useful and informative

I had the opportunity to participate in the discussion

The presenter was prepared and accommodating

Afternoon workshop (please select the workshop you attended)

How can we help? BADA(S) DAS I found the workshop useful and informative

I had the opportunity to participate in the discussion

The presenter was prepared and accommodating

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In your opinion, what were the strengths of the event? What did you find most useful or enjoyable and why?

Which parts were the least useful or enjoyable? Why?

Are there any topics you would like to see covered at future events / workshops that would assist you?

Thank you

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Appendix 1 – Workshop Delegates Morning Workshop Session What’s bugging you? Tell AiB what it can do to make life better for you? 11:00 – 12:15 Facilitated by: John Cook

Name Position Company

Gloria Adibe Finance Manager Grampian Credit Union

Julie McNamee Money Adviser Moray Council

Kevin Mapstone Relationship Manager Grant Thornton UK LLP

Sandra Murray Money Adviser Grampian Housing

Sandra Wallis Senior Money Adviser Citizens Advice Bureau

Sarah Bedford Insolvency Supervisor Meston Reid & Co

Susan Cooper Money Advice Worker Aberdeen CAB

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Morning Workshop Session Building on BADA(S) 11:00 – 12:15 Facilitated by: Carol Kirk

Name Position Company

Craig Rothnie Money Advisor Aberdeen City Council

Juliet Taylor Financial Inclusion Team Leader Moray Council

Margaret Mowat Money Advisor Banff & Buchan Citizens Advice Bureau

Mark Inglis Senior Administrator mlm Solutions

Mohad Taib Ismail SMART Money Adviser Grampian Housing Association

Morag Matthew Money Advisor Banff & Buchan Citizens Advice Bureau

Nicola Rollings Restructuring Manager Anderson Anderson & Brown

Rachel Third Senior Support Services Officer Grampian Housing Association

Shona Fraser Debt Adviser Turriff Citizens Advice Bureau

Stephen Curran Operations Support Manager - Scotland & North of England Community Money Advice

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Morning Workshop Session A new Dawn for DAS? 11:00 – 12:15 Facilitated by: Kelly Donohoe, Brian Kennedy & Colin Jack

Name Position Company

Fiona Spendlow Money Advisor Moray Council

Gillian Tait Snr Debt Adviser Kincardine & Mearns Citizens Advice Bureau

Kathleen Cousins Money Adviser Nairn Citizen's Advice Bureau

Laura Rogers Senior Money Adviser Aberdeen City Council

Michelle Byrne Insolvency Manager Meston Reid & Co

Paul Homer Money Advisor Nairn CAB

Pauline Hutchison Revenues Assistant The Highland Council

Rachel Smith In Court Adviser Gordon Rural Action

Raymond Fettes Senior Money Adviser Gordon Rural Action

Ross Morgan Insolvency Case Handler Meston Reid & Co

Ryan Flett Senior Money & Debt Adviser Shelter Scotland

Shona Fraser Debt and Income Maximisation Adviser Turriff Citizens Advice Bureau

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Afternoon Workshop Session What’s bugging you? Tell AiB what it can do to make life better for you 13:00 – 14:15 Facilitated by: John Cook

Name Position Company

Kathleen Cousins Money Adviser Nairn Citizen's Advice Bureau

Mark Inglis Senior Administrator mlm Solutions

Mohad Taib Ismail SMART Money Adviser Grampian Housing Association

Nicola Rollings Restructuring Manager Anderson Anderson & Brown

Paul Homer Money Advisor Nairn CAB

Pauline Hutchison Revenues Assistant The Highland Council

Ryan Flett Senior Money & Debt Adviser Shelter Scotland

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Afternoon Workshop Session Building on BADA(S) 13:00 – 14:15 Facilitated by: Carol Kirk

Name Position Company

Fiona Spendlow Money Advisor Moray Council

Gillian Tait Snr Debt Adviser Kincardine & Mearns Citizens Advice Bureau

Julie McNamee Money Adviser Moray Council

Laura Rogers Senior Money Adviser Aberdeen City Council

Michelle Byrne Insolvency Manager Meston Reid & Co

Rachel Smith In Court Adviser Gordon Rural Action

Raymond Fettes Senior Money Adviser Gordon Rural Action

Ross Morgan Insolvency Case Handler Meston Reid & Co

Shona Fraser Debt and Income Maximisation Adviser Turriff Citizens Advice Bureau

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Afternoon Workshop Session A new Dawn for DAS? 13:00 – 14:15 Facilitated by: Kelly Donohoe, Brian Kennedy & Colin Jack

Name Position Company

Craig Rothnie Money Advisor Aberdeen City Council

Gloria Adibe Finance Manager Grampian Credit Union

Juliet Taylor Financial Inclusion Team Leader Moray Council

Kevin Mapstone Relationship Manager Grant Thornton UK LLP

Margaret Mowat Money Advisor Banff & Buchan Citizens Advice Bureau

Morag Matthew Money Advisor Banff & Buchan Citizens Advice Bureau

Rachel Third Senior Support Services Officer Grampian Housing Association

Sandra Murray Money Adviser Grampian Housing

Sandra Wallis Senior Money Adviser Citizens Advice Bureau

Sarah Bedford Insolvency Supervisor Meston Reid & Co

Shona Fraser Debt Adviser Turriff Citizens Advice Bureau

Stephen Curran Operations Support Manager - Scotland & North of England Community Money Advice

Susan Cooper Money Advice Worker Aberdeen CAB