How Helen Lord Built a Game-Changing Vulnerability Service to Support Consumers in Crisis

In this thought-provoking episode, Shane Mahi speaks with Helen Lord, CEO of the Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS), about tackling one of today's most pressing issues: consumer vulnerability. Helen shares her journey of founding VRS in 2016 and the mission to create a centralized database to help vulnerable individuals communicate their circumstances to service providers. This episode dives into the challenges of building a business from scratch, handling regulatory pressures, and the transformative role of AI in managing consumer vulnerability.

What You'll Learn:

• The inspiration behind VRS and how it simplifies support for vulnerable individuals.
• How VRS collaborates with organizations to enhance compliance with UK regulations like the FCA's Consumer Duty.
• The challenges of addressing consumer vulnerability across sectors, from financial services to utilities.
• Insights on balancing privacy concerns with the need for data sharing to improve customer outcomes.
• How AI can revolutionize vulnerability management by streamlining processes and tailoring solutions.

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Key Takeaways:

• Vulnerability isn’t static: it can affect anyone at any time.
• Data sharing, when done responsibly, is critical for supporting vulnerable individuals.
• Collaboration across sectors is essential for creating lasting impact.
• Resilience and persistence are key in driving meaningful change

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Resources and Links:

• Helen Lord’s LinkedIn
• Vulnerability Registration Service’s LinkedIn
• VRS Website
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