Chartered Institute of Credit Management LMS

Present and correct. Derek Scott, MCICM warns all want-to-be presenters against using video cameras, explains his vampire qualities and perfects his swimming pool drowning technique ARTICLE September 2016

The brighter days of Summer.  Jason Braidwood FCICM (Grad), Head of Credit and Collections at Creditsafe , analyses the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics ARTICLE September 2016

Corporate insolvency: Rescue plan ... But what about creditors' rights?  David Kerr MCICM, Chief Executive, Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) reports that new voting proposals would see certain creditors/ votes overruled where those with a financial stake in the process seek to avoid being frustrated by minorities whose interest would be unaffected.  The government's plan is to create a restructuring opportunity that binds creditors (including secured creditors) (England) ARTICLE July/August 2016

WhatsApp with digital debt collection?  Heather Greig-Smith questions whether collections businesses which struggle to win 'likes' on Facebook should be developing new lines of communication with customers ARTICLE July/August 2016

Cloud busting.  Dylan Crowther considers the latest troubles to hit the crowdfunding sector and wonders whether recent failures are the tip of the iceberg ARTICLE July/August 2016

Formaluare formulare! Amir Ali, Chair of the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA), provides the devil and the detail following a meeting between the CCUA and Lord Justice Briggs on proposed reforms ARTICLE July/August 2016

Direct action.  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, explores an issue with Direct Debits that is costing British businesses thousands of pounds through fraudulent Indemnity Claims ARTICLE July/August 2016

BACS to the future.  Mike Hutchinson, Head of Marketing for BACS, makes the case for Direct Debits and offers some advice to minimise the risk of an Indemnity Claim being raised ARTICLE July/August 2016

Breaking the mould.  How are we ensuring future generations have the skills needed to succeed on the international stage?  Lesley Batchelor, FCICM, OBE, General of the Institute of Export considers the challenges ARTICLE July/August 2016

Down in the dumps.  Gareth Edwards, Partner, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, explains what businesses should do when dealing with stress in employees ARTICLE July/August 2016

The not-so darling buds of May?  Jason Braidwood, Head of Credit and Collections at Creditsafe Group, analyses the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics ARTICLE July/August 2016

CICM Learning  Partnership is a winning success at Verizon.  JC Schoeman FCICM, Verizon EMEA Director of Finance and Credit/Collections, explains how the tailored CICM level 2 Certificate programme has won success for both their people and business ARTICLE July/August 2016

Level 3 Advanced credit controller and debt collection specialist apprenticeship FAQs.  Your opportunity to get qualified ARTICLE July/August 2016

Vote to leave EU increases within the credit community.  At the moment they Credit Managers seem to be saying that leaving the EU will make little or no difference to their business ARTICLE June 2016

JRF calls for concerted action to tackle extreme poverty.  Sean Feast, Editor, and Alex Simmons, Assistant Editor, Credit Management, report ARTICLE June 2016

Insolvency ethics - a guide for creditors.  David Kerr MCICM, Chief Executive, Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) reports on this new best practice advice ARTICLE June 2016

Put out more flags.  Najib Nathoo, Hoist Finance, reports on increased sophistication among both sellers and purchasers of non-performing loans (NPLs) has established debt purchasers as an integral part of the credit industry ARTICLE June 2016

Technology in action.  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, looks at how SIG has been working with Experian to speed up the credit limit decision-making process ARTICLE June 2016

Storm warning.  David Thornley, advises on how bad debt provision should be calculated ARTICLE June 2016

From football to credit management.  Jason Braidwood FCICM (Grad) discusses his route into credit management ARTICLE June 2016

Apprenticeship levy - for better or for worse.  Debbie Tuckwood CICM Director of Learning and Development, explains the issues and how credit and collections managers can best capitalise from the levy tax ARTICLE June 2016

Ship in or ship out.  Lesley Batchelor, Director General of the Institute of Export wonders whether it is old fashioned to have your own Shipping Office ARTICLE June 2016

Shanghai masters.  In the first of a new series of country profiles, Adam Bernstein gives insight into the state of the Chinese economy and tips in how to trade ARTICLE June 2016

Even more green shoots?  Jason Braidwood FCICM (Grad), Head of Credit and Collections at Creditsafe Group analyses the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics (UK) ARTICLE June 2016

Difficult lawyers.  Lawyers can have problems when they enter into consumer contracts, which can be a source of problems for credit managers trying to recover money owed in such contracts.   Peter Walker highlights some European cases ARTICLE June 2016

Pre-packs and company directors' conduct - spot the difference.  David Kerr MCICM, Chief Executive, Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) questions how this has affected your decision-making.  Is your willingness to trade with the new company affected by whether or not the Pool has opined of the merits of the pre-pack transaction? (England) ARTICLE May 2016

Frank Speaking.  Mailmark has been billed as one of the most important developments in postage since the penny black. Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, reports on what is it and why should we take note ARTICLE May 2016

Talking shop.  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, talks to Bruce Marsh, Finance Director UK and ROI for Tesco Plc., about how Tesco treats suppliers, and why he still harbours dreams of playing for Manchester City ARTICLE May 2016

Future Imperfect.  Roger Martin-Fagg, Vistage Economist, attempts to make sense of the EU Referendum and ponders the impact of Brexit ARTICLE May 2016

The trouble with Europe.  Roger Bootle of Capital Economics argues that the EU is the most important thing that stands between Europe and success ARTICLE May 2016

Chorus of approval.  Amir Ali, Chair of the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA), reports on a recent audience with Sir Michael Briggs and District Judge Lethem (England) ARTICLE May 2016

Gone without trace?  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, reports on the changing world of the tracing agent and the impact of new automated technology ARTICLE May 2016

Recent changes in the legal process.  Robert Addlestone, Head of Litigation at CW Harwood & Co. Solicitors, and CICM trainer, advises on recent changes to the legal process, following publication this year to the latest edition of the Civil Procedure Rules ARTICLE May 2016

The true meaning of Brexit.  Lesley Batchelor, Director General of the Institute of Export says that staying in the EU does not mean 'no change' and leaving does not mean regulatory freedom (UK) ARTICLE May 2016

A Spring in the step?  Jason Braidwood FCICM (Grad), Head of Credit and Collections at Creditsafe Group analysis the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics ARTICLE May 2016

Take it or leave it.  Gareth Edwards, Partner, Veale Wasbrough Vizards discusses when employers' can and cannot make deductions from an employee's wages ARTICLE May 2016

Hays surveyed nearly 500 credit managers and individuals holding similar roles in organisations across the UK for our DNA of a Credit Manager Report. They were asked about their background, qualifications, responsibilities and personal characteristics as well as the challenges that they face and the skills that they believe are important for credit managers to have. Credit managers play a critical role in enabling companies to stay in business, report healthy profits and to grow and attract investment. Without them some companies would struggle to survive while others fail to achieve their full potential. Download the full report for more insight RESEARCH/WHITEPAPER 2016

Turning up the volume.  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, reports on new figures from the Credit Services Association's Data Gathering Initiative (DGI) into commercial debt ARTICLE April 2016

Dear Mr Bond, I expect you to pay.  Every Insolvency Practitioner (IP) has a bond, like some sort of secret agent hiding in the background ready to step in and rescue the situation when things go seriously awry. In this case, a financial instrument designed to protect creditors, primarily, if the IP is found to have dishonestly or fraudulently removed money from an insolvency estate. But does it work, and do creditors benefit? David Kerr MCICM, Chief Executive, Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) (England) ARTICLE April 2016

Shake it all about.  In or out?  We asked members of the CICM Think Tank and Guest Columnists to give us their personal opinions as to whether we remain or leave the European Union and the jury is still out (UK) ARTICLE April 2016

What's in a name.  The Australian view.  Our original article sparked interest, literally, on the other side of the world.  Here, Alan Harries of the Institute of Mercantile Agents reviews changes in the language and tone of dealings between collections agencies and individuals in debt in Australia ARTICLE April 2016

Defending the undefended. Amir Ali, Chair of the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA) argues that the needs of the undefended claims must not be overlooked in the ongoing structure review (England) ARTICLE April 2016

Refusing to mediate. The use of mediation to solve commercial disputes is becoming increasingly popular as the Courts put pressure on parties to avoid litigation.  But can parties refuse to negotiate through mediation?  In this month's legal matters, Emma Emery, Partner at Freeths, looks at recent Court decisions on the subject and discusses the issues you need to consider when deciding whether to partake in mediation (England) ARTICLE April 2016

A collection of minds. Stephen Lewis advises on how to choose a commercial debt collector ARTICLE April 2016

Proportionate Parking Penalties.  Have you been infuriated by a parking penalty notice placed on the windscreen of your car?  Peter Walker explains that a Supreme Court judgment in a recent case affecting motorists and credit managers has wider implications for contract law (England) ARTICLE April 2016

Just a little bit of love for Valentines?  Jason Braidwood FCICM (Grad), Head of Credit and Collections at Creditsafe Group, analyses the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics (UK) ARTICLE April 2016

Reading between the lines.  Gareth Edwards, Partner, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, warns employees against inconsistent verbal and written references about a former employee ARTICLE April 2016

Step up to the next level.  Become the Complete Credit Manager. CICM advises on how to equip yourself for specialist and management roles by investing in the Level 5 Diploma in Credit Management MCICM (Grad) ARTICLE April 2016

Authorised firms at risk as FCA goes in search of scalps.  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management reports that an industry insider suggests that the pendulum has arguably swung too far in the opposite direction (England) ARTICLE March 2016

A debtors home - his own or his creditors?  What is fair contribution, and what might be agreed as the maximum period over which a debtor is expected to contribute, if his property is to be protected? ARTICLE March 2016

Treasured asset.  Sean Feast, Editor, Credit Management, speaks to Colin Tyler, Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, and finds out why he never became a doctor ARTICLE March 2016

Hash browns and worldwide travel.  Bryony Pettifor FCICM (Grad), Chair of the CICM Advisory Council, considers how motivated teams contribute to business success.  And her love of traffic lights ARTICLE March 2016

The business of information.  In part two of our feature on business information providers, Sean Feast, Credit Management, provides a summary of the latest innovations and products from the main players ARTICLE March 2016

Share and share alike.  Max Firth considers the new data sharing and)rules aimed at stimulating trade credit (England) ARTICLE March 2016

Improving access to justice.  Amir Ali, Chair of the Civil Court Users Association (CCUA) begins a new series of regular updates from the world of civil court enforcement ARTICLE March 2016

Acting global.  Lesley Batchelor, FCICM, OBE, General of the Institute of Export considers the challenges faced by small businesses conducting international trade ARTICLE March 2016

Not such a happy New Year!  Jason Braidwood FCICM (Grad), Head of Sales Ledger Consultancy at Creditsafe Business Solutions, analyses the latest monthly business to business payment performances statistics ARTICLE March 2016

Penalty clauses in contracts - spotting them and avoiding them.  Emma Emery is a partner at Freeths.  In this month's Legal Matters we give you an overview of penalty clauses in commercial contracts (England) ARTICLE March 2016

Consumer credit roundup.   Amanda Hulme, Partner,  Addleshaw Goddard LLP gives an overview of all the goings on in the world of consumer credit (England) ARTICLE March 2016

Employing Migrant Workers.  The right to work and sponsorship.  Gareth Edwards, Partner, Veale, Wasbrough, Vizards, takes a closer look at what companies need to be aware of when employing migrant workers (England) ARTICLE March 2016

What credit management?  In his last hurrah Derek Scott chips into the debate about the 'imminent' (or not so) appointment of a Small Business Commissioner, and the real position of SMEs regarding payment terms ARTICLE March 2016

The purpose of this Ofwat report is to broaden the understanding of customer vulnerability in the water sector in England and Wales, and to stimulate interest and debate around the issue. The report seeks to help the sector to better identify and support customers in circumstances that make them vulnerable, bearing in mind that customer vulnerability is not a rigid concept; and provide practical guidance on where companies could look and what they could think about when shaping their strategies and policies for customers in circumstances that make them vulnerable. See also CICM Vulnerability Framework self-evaluation in CICM Knowledge Hub. GUIDANCE 2016

David Kerr, Chief Executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA), considers that with consumer debt on the rise, and the seasonal overspend threatening to tip some over the edge, where would an insolvent debtor seek refuge?  All in all, it adds up to a minefield for the consumer.  Protocol compliance kitemarks have gone, trade body standards differ, funding methods amongst operators vary, and redress processes are not comprehensive ARTICLE January/February 2016

Does your team have what it takes?  Debbie Tuckwood, CICM Director of Learning & Development, explains how to benchmark knowledge, skills and behaviours against the new Apprenticeship Standards ARTICLE January/February 2016

Jenny Oakley, CICMQ Assessor and John Burke, Credit Manager, Order to Cash, National Grid, describe their experiences on a trip to India for only the second International CICMQ. (India) ARTICLE January/February 2016

Sean Feast, Editor, Gravity, looks at the key challenges facing business information providers and how they are meeting the needs of credit managers going forward.  'What the industry has to do is work with the authorities over the two years that we have to adopt the new regulations and agree how those regulations are to be interpreted' ARTICLE January/February 2016

Nick Green, Director of PurplePatch, explores the issues of the pricing and supply of International Credit Information ARTICLE January/February 2016

Alison Dingwall, Hoist Finance UK, considers what is Corporate Social Responsibility and why as a business we should bother ARTICLE January/February 2016

Mark Mackey, Local World, explains to Sean Feast, Editor, Gravity, how helicopters and Catch 22 relate to the world of credit management.  Local World's CICMQ event - was a mission to collect £22 million (in a single month).  The team were really creative and the offices were war themed, with replica soldiers, canons and even a helicopter that moved across the ceiling when each £1 million was collected ARTICLE January/February 2016

John Ricketts, Vice President, Credit Services Association, has a bee in his bonnet about how non regulated collections businesses are being perceived ARTICLE January/February 2016

Heather Greig-Smith reports, when money advisors, creditors and debt collectors gathered at the annual Money Advice Liaison Group (MALG) conference at the end of 2015, that consumers are increasingly struggling with essential bills while public sector creditors are also facing the squeeze ARTICLE January/February 2016

Emma Emery, Partner, Freeths, explains the process of issuing a winding up petition against a debtor, explores when the method is appropriate, and offers practical advice on how to ensure debts are paid whilst maintaining mutually beneficial client relations ARTICLE January/February 2016

In the first of a new regular column, Lesley Batchelor, OBE, Director General of the Institute of Export, looks at the importance of practical finance and credit guidance for SME exporters. (UK) ARTICLE January/February 2016

Monthly round-up of the latest stories in global trade by Andrea Kirkby. (England, Baltic, UK, China, Belgium, US, South Africa) ARTICLE January/February 2016

Jason Braidwood, Head of Sales Ledger Consultancy, Creditsafe Business Solutions, analyses of the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics. (UK) ARTICLE January/February 2016

Gareth Edwards, Partner, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, looks at cases of age discrimination, whistleblowing and zero hours contracts. (England) ARTICLE January/February 2016

Peter Collinson, CICM Director of Marketing and Business Development, explains more about why the decision was taken to re-develop this area of the CICM website and highlights some of the key features ARTICLE January/February 2016

Scottish Insolvencies down by a quarter since 2014 ARTICLE December 2015

Complaints - consistency, independence and transparency. David Kerr, Chief Executive of the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA), reports (England) ARTICLE December 2015

Dirty Dancing.  Stephen Pigney, Trainer and Exam Board member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) considers the issues of 'dirty money' and the implications of the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive on banks and businesses (England) ARTICLE December 2015

No Dirty Money for the Bank.  Peter Walker explains that banks have to question complicated financial arrangements as a result of a recent case of money laundering originating in Gibraltar ARTICLE December 2015

Still talking.  Sean Feast, Editor of Credit Management speaks to DEMSA Chief Executive Kevin Still about the future of debt management ARTICLE December 2015

Call me maybe?  What's in a word?  Well quite a bit apparently, especially if you are navigating your way through the relatively new regulatory landscape that has been ushered in to the debt collection world.  Sean Feast, Editor of Credit Management reports ARTICLE December 2015

Deeper pockets.  Salaries are increasing for credit professionals, but it is career development that you really want says Karen Young.  Director for Hays Credit Management ARTICLE December 2015

Consumer rights Act 2015.  Emma Emery is a Partner at Freeths advises ARTICLE December 2015

One step forward, one step back?  Jason Braidwood, Head of Sales Ledger Consultancy at Creditsafe Business Solutions analyses the latest monthly business to business payment performance statistics ARTICLE December 2015

HR Matters.  Gareth Edwards, Partner, Veale, Wasbrough, Vizards emphasises the need for employers to fully document any decisions regarding employees (England) ARTICLE December 2015

Retail sales improve year on year ARTICLE November 2015