Importance of Disclosures in Supporting Victim-Survivors of Economic Abuse

David Atkins is a specialist in consumer vulnerability. Previously Head of Group Customer Inclusion and Head of Group Customer Vulnerability at Lloyds Banking Group, he co-led their work programme on vulnerability, inclusive design, accessibility, and outcome assessment, and was a steadfast champion for change and innovation.

Now a key part of the Money Advice Trust’s consultancy team, David continues to focus work to drive better impact, experience, and outcomes for customers and firms alike.  

Sarah has spent the last 8 years working on the vulnerability agenda for Nationwide, where she currently leads on their strategic approach for customers experiencing domestic, financial & economic abuse. She is also responsible for Nationwide’s strategy for the disclosure and recording of customer vulnerability/accessibility needs and circumstances. 

Lauren is a subject matter expert on customer vulnerability and is experienced in developing both casework and policy approach’s to supporting victim-survivors of domestic including economic abuse.

Lauren is passionate about SEA’s mission to stop economic abuse and under her leadership, the team at SEA supports over 30 major high street banks and building societies in their responses to economic abuse.

Lauren has contributed to briefing papers on the Consumer Duty, Insurance and Life Insurance and Mortgages.

She has also conducted independent research as part of her master’s degree to shine a light on the psychological impact of economic abuse on victim-survivors post-separation.

Alexis manages the delivery of Money and Mental Health's Mental Health Accessible Programme working directly with essential service companies, like banks and energy providers, to make their products easier for people with mental health problems to use. 

Alexis has over a decade of experience in banking, as well as personal experience of accessing support from her banks whilst in a vulnerable situation.

These personal and professional experiences combined have given her a unique perspective on supporting customers in vulnerable circumstances.

Ella is Head of Operations at Scottish Women’s Aid and manages their Economic Abuse workstream. She previously worked in various social justice-focused roles, both in Edinburgh and Manchester, which included managing national therapeutic intervention programmes for victims of domestic abuse. More recently, she helped deliver Fund to Leave at Scottish Women’s Aid, and gained valuable insights into the scale of economic abuse, coerced debt, and financial inequality preventing women from leaving abusive relationships in Scotland.

Ella is a passionate advocate for women's rights and their financial independence. SWA are currently developing a strategy to build awareness and understanding of economic abuse in Scotland, increase accessible and responsive support and enhance policy and legal frameworks to extend women’s economic independence.