The Year in Review
As we step into 2024, it’s a perfect moment to look back on the year. We’ve had a fantastic 2023 forming new partnerships, participating in exciting events, engaging with diverse audiences, and spreading awareness about the significance of our work.
Our growing Partners list.
The past year ushered in a wave of new Plain Numbers Partners, marking a period of dynamic growth for us. We’re delighted to welcome our first energy provider into the fold, as well as three major UK banks who are collaborating with us to enhance their communications. Our ranks expanded further with the inclusion of the first car leasing company, first legal firm and many others.
Improving customer communications.
Our Practitioner training has once again been hugely popular. We now have hundreds of people who are skilled in applying the Plain Numbers Approach and can help their customers.
This year we delivered a remarkable increase in the number of communications that have been awarded Plain Numbers Certification. Certification means a communication has reached a high standard of clarity in the way it uses numbers. We don’t just certify communications though. We have also provided unlimited support to those who have received training to improve numerous other communications with the Approach. This work has resulted in millions of customers receiving clearer information presented using the Plain Numbers Approach.
Raising awareness within our partnerships.
Our commitment to embedding the Plain Numbers Approach into organisations has seen excellent progress. We’ve helped Plain Numbers Practitioners to work through the practicalities of driving real change at their organisation. Raising awareness about the work Practitioners are doing has been a key focus, with successful sessions including lunch and learns, webinars, and various awareness programs for our Partner firms, reaching over 1,300 individuals this year.
Influencing policy and regulation.
This year saw the FCA’s Consumer Duty come into force on 31st July. It has been billed as the biggest shake up in Financial Regulation for decades. Consumer Understanding is at the heart of this, and we at Plain Numbers recognise the challenge this brings but are excited by the opportunities this focus presents for both consumers and firms. We have been incredibly impressed by all our FCA-regulated Plain Numbers Partners’ work to meet the Duty's Outcomes, and many have included their work with us as evidence to the regulator that they have a proactive approach to improving consumer understanding.
Our Chief Executive, Mike Ellicock, enthusiastically collaborated with the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Steering Group, led by the Lord Mayor of the City of London. The group's six-point plan to address low levels of financial literacy and numeracy includes two crucial points related to the Plain Numbers Approach. We’ve also responded to government consultations, such as on the Consumer Credit Act, and worked with other regulators through the UK Regulators Network to put Consumer Understanding high on the agenda.
In the press.
Mike's appearance on Rip Off Britain provided a national platform to have a compelling discussion that shed light on a pressing issue – understanding your energy bills. As well as appearing on TV, Plain Numbers and our work hit headlines this year. We were featured in Jeff Prestridge’s column in This is Money and then in the Financial Times highlighting that making changes to education won’t help the 20 million adults already struggling with numbers.
By embracing the Plain Numbers Approach, firms can empower an often-overlooked customer base, leading to better outcomes for all. Here’s to building upon this excellent work in the year ahead!