Women Leading in Business June 2026
This month we hear from Deborah Walker, Director of Development at Manchester Building Society.
- Event Time
- 17 Jun 10:00 - 17 Jun 12:00
- Event Location
- Manchester Building Society
- Event Type
- Business speakers, Online, Original Thinking Applied
Looking to make new connections and speak with other inspiring and aspiring business people?
For the June ‘Women Leading in Business’ session we are going off campus for a site visit to the newly opened Manchester Building Society.
Deborah Walker
It’s fair to say Deborah has enjoyed what is now often described as a ‘squiggly career’ – spanning banking, higher education, homelessness services and inward investment. Her experience working both with and for the city region has given her a unique perspective on the wealth of opportunity Greater Manchester offers, alongside the challenges facing its communities.
Having once vowed never to return to financial services, Deborah now finds herself at Manchester Building Society – “the oldest start-up in town” – where she is leading the growth of the brand and branch network.
Manchester Building Society is a trading brand of Newcastle Building Society, a fiercely proud, place-based mutual with over 360,000 members and a clear purpose: to connect communities with a better financial future.
It is this community-first approach that drew Deborah – a passionate advocate for social and financial inclusion – back into the sector.
In this session, Deborah will take you on a candid journey through her career, share why her building society is doing extraordinary things for members and high streets, and make the case for the enduring importance of branches in an increasingly digital world.
Please only book if you know you will be able to attend, if you book an in-person ticket and cannot attend please cancel it as there will be others on the waiting list.
This event will be hosted by MBA alumna Claire-Marie Boggiano, Lurig Change & Development.
Important: photography and videography will be taking place during this event. By registering for and attending the event, you grant Alliance Manchester Business School permission to capture and use photos and videos of your likeness for promotional purposes. If you prefer not to have your image used in any promotional materials, please inform a member of staff upon your arrival.