Chartered Institute of Credit Management LMS

Headlines from the House of Commons Select Committee on the Insolvency Services. David Kerr, Protocol.Chief Executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association, reports on the Select Committee report (England) ARTICLE March 2013

A risky business. Julie-Anne Gage assesses whether payday lending is a fair trade in a tough world or the next subprime time-bomb ARTICLE March 2013

Plus ςa change? There are now only 12 months to go until the disappearance of the Office of Fair Trading and the arrival of the financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (England) ARTICLE March 2013

The secret diary of a debt collector. Suzanne Barry, Head of Debt Purchase at Cabot Financial looks back on her career ARTICLE March 2013

Honesty pays. Maurice O'Brien, Credit Management, who worked with Senator Mullend on the Business Undertakings (Disclosure of Payments) Bill, gives his views on the proposed legislation (Ireland) ARTICLE March 2013

Shining through the recession. Ceinwen Wilson, UK Head of Hays Credit Management, reports on the latest figures from the Hays Credit Management Salary Guide 2013 and shows that credit management professionals at all levels are still in high demand across the country (England) ARTICLE March 2013

Motivation matters. Martin Kirby, Credit Manager, explores the best ways of motivating a workforce ARTICLE March 2013

When a Security may not be a Security. Dean Spencer, Chartered Legal Executive, Brethertons LLP, focused on Charging Orders over Land or interests in Land (England) ARTICLE March 2013

HR Matters. Gareth Edwards, partner in the employment team at Veal Wasbrough Vizards, discusses allegations of stealing, levels of disability and what constitutes an employee ARTICLE March 2013

Getting more from the people who matter. Tim Fearon, Co-Owners and Director of the Extraordinary Coaching Company, continues his series on business management ARTICLE March 2013

Country Focus: Spain. Creditsafe captures Spain in a nutshell ARTICLE March 2013

International trade. Andrea Kirkby's monthly round-up of the latest stories in global trade, including reports about Greece, China, Korea, EU market, Bank of America and predictions that UK will drop out of the top 10 global economies ARTICLE March 2013

Reading the tea leaves. Linda Woolcocks on the joys of moving and edging closer to the SAP go-live data ARTICLE March 2013

Veolia scores a hat-trick - QICM, qualifications and CPD. Debbie Tuckwood, CICM Director of Learning and Development, reports on Veolia's success and the importance of leadership ARTICLE March 2013

Insolvency complaints - how the changes affect creditors. David Kerr, Chief Executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association, comments on ministerial announcements about changes to the insolvency complaints procedure (England) ARTICLE February 2013

Face-to-face time. Glen Bullivant, CICM Vice President, discussing the benefits of talking face-to-face rather than online ARTICLE February 2013

Sick as a dog. John Earls, Head of Business Development and Case Management at Quest Debt Recovery, looks at the growing problems of collecting debt in the veterinary sector ARTICLE February 2013

The power of evidence. Universal praise for the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (Version 3) ARTICLE February 2013

A job for life. A profile on the long and distinguished career in credit management of Brenda Linger ARTICLE February 2013

Hatching a plot. Hannah Drozdz surveys the new EU rules on late payment and its likely implications on business ARTICLE February 2013

Wish you weren't here? Gareth Edwards, partner in the employment team at Veale Wasbrough Vizards,  looks at the potential pitfalls of sickness and annual leave policies ARTICLE February 2013

The daily huddle. Martin Kirkby Credit Manager at Adecco discusses the simple steps he has taken to motivate his team ARTICLE February 2013

Spotlight on the property industry. Gareth Rumsey of Experian says that the UK property sector seems to have plateaued ARTICLE February 2013

Survival of the fittest - trade sector analysis from Coface. Grant Williams, Risk Underwriting Director at Coface in the UK and Ireland analyses the trade sector ARTICLE February 2013

Essex County Council celebrate their CICMQ accreditation ARTICLE February 2013

A risky business. Peter Walker, recently involved in property development, says that recent legal cases should alert credit managers to check that the correct procedures have been followed ARTICLE February 2013

An end-to-end approach. Professor Patrick O Connelly sums up his thoughts in the third and final part of the series on business improvement ARTICLE February 2013

Reading the tea leaves. Linda Woolcocks, Credit Manager of R Twinings and Company reports on their SAP implementation project and hot desking ARTICLE February 2013

Breathing life into old judgments. Dean Spencer, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and Head of Litigation Alliance Team at Brethertons, advises on how to resurrect old judgments ARTICLE February 2013

Professionalising your credit team - everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask ARTICLE February 2013

Recognition, professionalism, opportunity. Philip King, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) New Year message ARTICLE January 2013

How small is a small claim? Gareth Raisbeck, solicitor, Brethertons' Litigation Alliance Department and Property Alliance advises on the issues regarding small claims ARTICLE January 2013

Credit Manager - The Game. EDF employees, Gordon Cook and Ben Sutton report on their success in delivering Credit Management - The Game to students at Stroud College, Gloucestershire ARTICLE January 2013

The evolving data protection landscape. Mike Bradford, Director of Regulatory Strategies, warns that companies should take action today to prepare for tomorrow's data regulation charges (England) ARTICLE January 2013

Assessing distressed customers. Nick Cherry, Phillips and Cohen Associates, comments that there is still room from improvement in the collection industry's approach to vulnerable customers ARTICLE January 2013

Ripples on the pond. Phil Mercer, Head of Euler Hermes Collections UK, and Joe Batie, CEO of Euler Hermes Collections North America, describe the prevalent credit culture and the collections process in the USA ARTICLE January 2013

View from the seafront. David Andrews says the tables are turning for those living in the Land of the Free ARTICLE January 2013

International trade. Monthly round-up of the latest stories in global trade by Andre Kikby, Euler Hermes, including comment about Zombie nations, the fall of France, the structural shift and the euro, China invades, the end of QE, Russian roulette, election party hangover ARTICLE January 2013

Inside out. Sean Feast, Editor of Credit Management, catches up with Leith Robertson for an 'outsiders' view of the consumer collections industry,  12 months after taking the role as Executive Chairman of 1st Credit ARTICLE January 2013

HR matters. Gareth Edwards, partner in the employment team at Veale Wasbrough Vizars, discusses pilots' holiday pay and leave for UK Reserve Forces ARTICLE January 2013

On whose terms? Derek Scott reminisces about problems and unusual practices that he has encountered across the credit management industry ARTICLE January 2013

Reading the tea leaves. Linda Woolcocks, Credit Manager, R Twinings and Company, update on their SAP implementation and the possibility of changing her name, extortion and stealing ARTICLE January 2013

Happy retirement to a great double act. Tribute to long serving members, Arthur and Pat Critchley ARTICLE January 2013

Insolvency News - A penny for them - Bankruptcy numbers down.  Debt Relief Orders (RDOs) overtaken bankruptcies.  The Governments Receiver (OR) has been downsizing (England) ARTICLE December 2012

Doorstep debt - Frank Card, freelance writer on credit management matters - Door to door loans inc payday loans.  Panorama uncovers.  The CCA gives Office of Fair Trading the power to suspend consumer credit licences (England) ARTICLE December 2012

Technology Focus - Accidents can happen - Helen Lord, Director of Regulatory Strategies - "The best approach is to act now - make sure that you already comply with what the ICO and your customers would expect ..." (England) ARTICLE December 2012

Head to Head - A sense of fair play - in the latest in his series, Philip King spoke to Suzannah Nichol MBE of the NSCC - a passionate believer in fair payment for all - Fair Payment Campaign.  Getting Paid - Five easy Steps ARTICLE December 2012

The construction industry in focus - In figures generated exclusively for Credit Management, Gareth Rumsey of Experian suggests that all is not lost for the UK construction industry - Additional insight - Numbers of firms. Number of Insolvencies. Insolvency rates ARTICLE December 2012

Business Management - The lean machine - Martin Kirby discusses his efforts in trying to trim the unnecessary waste from working processes - "It concerned me greatly that we were suffering significant process variation, differing versions of data control" ARTICLE December 2012

Fraud in statement and statue - Peter Walker advises that a 17th century statue still applies and credit managers may have no remedy for unpaid debts - Statue of frauds. 19th century mischief (England) ARTICLE December 2012

Stress busters - Sean Feast finds out what the consumer collections industry is doing to identify cases of customers in genuine distress - "Collection strategies need to be flexible enough to deal with individuals and their specific circumstances ..." ARTICLE December 2012

International - Enforcing default judgments  - William Christopher, litigation partner in Pinsent Masons and Jennifer Craven, senior solicitor on the challenges facing companies chasing cross border debts - Common law. Statue. Rubin. The facts of Rubin. The appeal ARTICLE December 2012

Creditsafe - Country Focus - Finland - About the country. Credit ratings ARTICLE December 2012

France - Country Risk Assessment update - Coface - company insolvencies in France ARTICLE December 2012

A warning to sub-contractors by Steve Lewis, Director of LPL Group - "There has been a marked increase in payment problems affecting many of our SME clients whose primary income is from their specialist trades ..." (UK) ARTICLE November 2012

Insolvency news - Trust and confidence - David Kerr, Chief Executive Insolvency Practitioners Association - "The work that the CICM does to engage in the dialogue with insolvency profession, not least with its seat at the standards setting table, can only help to bridge any remaining gaps ..." (England) ARTICLE November 2012

View from The Water Mill - See. Hear. Act by Philip King - "The clear recognition of the Institute of Credit Management as a serious and professional organisation befitting the role of a professional membership body ..." ARTICLE November 2012

Moving door to door - What really happens in a typical day in the life of a doorstep collector?  Sean Feast, Editor Credit Management, endeavoured to find out - "There is a natural suspicion of strangers. But if you can create a dialogue with a customer, and are straightforward and honest about who you are and what you are doing, it's a job that can be very rewarding ..." ARTICLE November 2012

The debt collecting agency landscape - A debt purchaser perspective by Jason Wallace, Head of External Collections and Support, Cabot Financial (UK) ARTICLE November 2012

Head to Head - A people person - In the latest in his series, Philip King, CICM Chief Executive, caught up with Lesley Cowley OBE, CEO of Nominet and Fellow of the Institute of Credit Management - "The real value of professional credit management is more easy to recognise and this is down to the great work of the ICM and its members ..." ARTICLE November 2012

Standing still - Jeremy Sutcliffe's latest delve into the Ministry of Justice and Insolvency Service statistics reveals a number of mistruths and a lack of progress - "Removing the inherent mystification about insolvency which envelopes creditors and debtors alike would be a helpful move ..." - The numbers - The way forward (England) ARTICLE November 2012

Directing the blame - Paul Taylor partner at City law firm Fox Williams LLP examines how directors can avoid being dragged into liquidation battle - Duties. Personal liability. Breach of duty. Other risks. Power to disqualify. Resignation. Other steps (England) ARTICLE November 2012

Insolvency news - Joined-up thinking - David Kerr, Chief Executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association - "The regulatory bodies need to work together and be seen to do so, otherwise any steps taken will look as though they have been taken reluctantly ..."  (England) ARTICLE October 2012

View from The Water Mill - Enhancing the value of ICM Membership by Philip King - "Certain areas of the Institute and our services could be simplified, enhanced or improved ..." ARTICLE October 2012

Under the influence - The running of a pub can be difficult as one couple found out when they did not pay the rent and faced bankruptcy.  Peter Walker explains how it is important to follow the procedures - Bankruptcy. Points of procedure. Undue influence. Undue influence (England) ARTICLE October 2012

Attack of the Clones - Leigh Berkley, Chief Executive of Tessera and Vice-President of the Credit Services Association (CSA) has been on the receiving end of a number of attempted frauds - and is underwhelmed by the industry's response - Sad realisation. Cyber stalking ARTICLE October 2012

Searching for common ground - Iona McIntyre looks at calls for greater transparency in the insolvency process - Fair treatment. Influencing the regime. Collective power. Challenges (England) ARTICLE October 2012

View from the Sea Front - David Andrews examines the differences between the French and the English ways of life and working, and why French shops are closed at lunchtime (France / UK) ARTICLE October 2012

A Cohesive force - Professor Patrick O Connelly discusses what it takes to build a successful department - Leadership. Challenges. Motivation. Strategy. Teamwork. Vision. Goal. Management ARTICLE October 2012

Business Management - Getting the results you want with the people who matter - Tim Fearon discusses how successful businesses are built on successful conversations - Three useful beliefs of highly effective communicators ARTICLE October 2012

Global appeal - Ceinwen Wilson UK Head of Hays Credit Management discusses the importance of an international outlook for today's credit managers ARTICLE September 2012

Insolvency news - Payment protection - David Kerr, Chief Executive of Insolvency Practitioners Association - "Is it fair to keep an IVA case open when in all other respects the debtor has fulfilled his/her obligations? ..." (England) ARTICLE September 2012

Back to Black - In the latest in his series of articles on alternative lenders, Sean Feast speaks to Christopher Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Platform Black - "The seller gets access to fast, competitively priced working capital within days, not months ..." (England) ARTICLE September 2012

A state of mind - The publication of a new guide to help vulnerable debtors has caused quite a stir within the consumer credit industry, as Sean Feast discovers - "No-one likes to be asked to pay back a debt.  But to suggest that the whole experience will be a nightmare is harsh and simply untrue ..." - Playing to the gallery. Robust defence (England) ARTICLE September 2012

Trace - does your organisation have what it takes? By Jamie McGrath, Head of Trace for Apex Discovery Solutions - "Over the coming months it is very likely that the Credit Services Association, CSA, will be re-drafting its code of conduct,  which will include a new section on tracing requirements and the validation of data ..." (UK) ARTICLE September 2012

Snakes and ladders - Jeremy Sutcliffe examines the highs and lows of the latest insolvency statistics - Claims and enforcement. Litigation. Mediation (England) ARTICLE September 2012

Country Risk Assessment update - The crisis worsens in Southern Europe and the Indian model begins to show signs of struggle (India and Europe) ARTICLE September 2012

Reverting to type - In the second part of his article on the pitfalls of written communication, Derek Scott  remembers yet more entertaining notes and letters from his time in credit ARTICLE September 2012

Creditsafe simply smarter USA - About the country. Fascinating facts. Credit Referencing ARTICLE September 2012

Foundations for enterprise - Professor Patrick O Connelly details the specific groups within every enterprise that drive basic business functions ARTICLE September 2012

Nearly £6 million recovered by DCAs every day - The Credit Services Association (CSA) recently opened its new corporate headquarters in Newcastle - New offices and new branding ARTICLE August 2012

Insolvency news - A code for debt management - David Kerr, Chief Executive Insolvency Practioners Association - "The Government may not wish to legislate, but even a voluntarily regulated sector has to have clarity about the product it delivers ..." (England) ARTICLE August 2012

Measure for measure by Les Clisby a commentator on credit management issues - "In my view, working with the industry and trade bodies makes absolute sense before considering legistration and heavier regulation ..." ARTICLE August 2012

A trace of victory - In November 2011 the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee published its report on 'Individual Electoral Registration and Electoral Administration', calling for the abolition of the Edited Electoral Roll (England) ARTICLE August 2012

Directors unfit for purpose - Directors who irresponsibly run their companies into liquidation are a menace to creditors and to credit managers, Peter Walker explains the importance of legislation and some recent cases to illustrate the point - Internet competition. Plenty of precedent. Maximum justice (England) ARTICLE August 2012

Statistical modelling v CRA data - On-going credit risk analysis of a customer portfolio is vital.  It helps to review and establish credit limits; it helps prevent bad debt expense; and ultimately, it should drive cashflow through collections prioritisation.  CJ Wimley EVP of Corporate Solutions for SunGard's AvantGard delves deeper ARTICLE August 2012

Testing the water - Angele Spiteri Paris, Senior Consultant at CoreData Research UK, outlines the findings of a study on switching behaviour among customers - Years with current provider. Inertia grows. Higher earners ARTICLE August 2012

The paymaster general - Glen Bullivant of the Federation of European Credit Management Associations argues that the Euro has become the Deutschmark by any other name. The credit environment in Spain (Europe) ARTICLE August 2012

Fighting the decline - Professor Patrick O Connelly examines the solutions to improving business performance ARTICLE August 2012

From the front line to the front page by Charlie Robertson - "Everything we do must be with the singular purpose of giving credit management and our members the recognition and support that they deserve ..." ARTICLE July 2012

News roundup - ICM expertise recognised in Government appointment by Sean Feast, Editor Credit Management. Start up Loans (England) ARTICLE July 2012

Insolvency news - no end to pre-packs or the debate - David Kerr, Chief Executive Insolvency Practitioners Association - "Neither the Government's Insolvency Service nor the professional bodies that regulate IPs have seen any systemic misuse of pre-packs ..." (England) ARTICLE July 2012

Plan of action - Sean Feast delves into the world of Debt Management Plans and the regulatory environment - An equal distribution. Making assumptions. Setting standards (England) ARTICLE July 2012

Technology in Action - Part and parcel - Keeping the cash flowing through any business is a challenge at the best of times, not least of all during this economic downturn ARTICLE July 2012

Head to Head - Brand loyalty - In the third in a our series, Philip King speaks to his opposite number in charge of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Helen Brand OBE ARTICLE July 2012

Market forces - Sean Deast speaks to Anil Stocker, Co-founder of MarketInvoice, about the current lending environment and the response to his alternative 'product' - "Businesses feel let down by traditional providers, and the press are hungry for any story about this ..." ARTICLE July 2012