Yorkshire Building Society brings culture, conversation and community together at Bradford Live

As a mutual, Yorkshire Building Society regularly engages with its membership. On 15 October, the Society hosted a dynamic and engaging event at the newly refurbished Bradford Live, celebrating the city’s culture and giving Society members the opportunity to hear from senior leaders and ask questions directly. 

The event, held in the heart of Bradford, welcomed around 100 members alongside a surprise performance by the city’s own Punjabi Roots, whose high-energy Bhangra and fusion dance routine set the tone for an unforgettable afternoon. Drummers led dancers through the ballroom in a vibrant entrance, culminating in a crowd-pleasing mix of traditional Punjabi rhythms and pop hits.

Becky Fitzgerald, Yorkshire Building Society’s director of data and AI and newly appointed President of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, officially opened the event, expressing pride in her dual role and the Society’s support of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. 

Chief executive Susan Allen followed with an introduction to the day’s programme, highlighting YBS’s purpose: Real Help with Real Life. She shared how the Yorkshire Building Society’s mutual model means that member savings enable the organisation to help people across the UK buy homes and move on to the property ladder. 

Chris Irwin, director of savings, led a comprehensive session on the current savings landscape, covering historical and projected interest rates, intergenerational financial support and insights into ISAs and FSCS changes. 

A question-and-answer session, hosted by Susan Allen, along with a panel of Yorkshire Building Society leaders gave members the opportunity to ask the group questions directly. 

Susan Allen, chief executive of Yorkshire Building Society said: “We know that listening to our members and engaging with them directly is vital to shaping the future of the Society, our products and services. Events like this allow us to hear what matters most to our members, share insights that support their financial wellbeing, and demonstrate how their savings help others onto the housing ladder. It’s about creating real connections and delivering Real Help with Real Life in a way that’s both meaningful and memorable.

“It was great to hold our latest member event live in Bradford during its City of Culture year. It was a celebration of the city, our purpose, and the people we serve.” 

Members asked the panel questions on a wide range of topics including different types of ISAs, cyber security, financial education, and intergenerational financial planning.

The event concluded with refreshments and informal networking, allowing members to continue conversations with representatives of Yorkshire Building Society in the stunning surroundings of Bradford Live’s ballroom.