CU Futures Celebrates 10 Years at Anniversary Event

04/11/2026

The Credit Union Foundation brought together CU Futures alumni and supporters in Manchester on Friday 23 October to celebrate 10 years of the programme and recognise its contribution to developing talent across the credit union movement.

Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester, the anniversary event welcomed people who have been part of the programme over the past decade, providing an opportunity to reconnect, share experiences and reflect on the impact CU Futures has had on individuals and the wider sector.

The day began with a welcome marking the programme’s 10-year milestone, followed by a visual look back at the CU Futures journey, highlighting key moments and developments since its launch.

A central part of the celebrations was the Where Are They Now? session, which heard from alumni from different eras of the programme, giving attendees an opportunity to hear about their experiences and the different paths their careers have taken since participating in CU Futures.

Following an interactive 10-year reflection and an opportunity for informal networking over lunch, the afternoon programme turned to the wider credit union movement.

The Then & Now: What Has Changed? discussion explored how the sector has developed over the past decade, before a dedicated CEO and sponsor panel brought together perspectives on the importance of supporting people and developing future leadership across the movement.

The day concluded with a forward-looking session, What’s Next?, exploring the future of CU Futures and the potential for its growing alumni community, before attendees continued the celebrations with food, drinks and further networking.

Jake Hatch, CU Futures Programme Manager, said: “Reaching 10 years of CU Futures is a fantastic milestone and it was great to bring so many people together in Manchester to celebrate. Over the past decade, the programme has supported individuals from across the credit union movement to develop their skills, build confidence and make connections that continue well beyond their time on the programme.

“Seeing so many of our graduates come back together, share their experiences and reflect on where their journeys have taken them was a real highlight. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported CU Futures over the years, from our graduates and mentors to the sponsors, partners and organisations who have helped make the programme possible. The programme wouldn’t be where it is today without their commitment and contribution.

“While it’s important to look back and celebrate what we’ve achieved, we’re equally excited about what comes next and how we can continue to support the next generation of talent across the credit union movement.”