December 2016 Credit Management magazine

BRANCH NEWS
SOUTH WALES BRANCH
COLLECTIONS AND CURRY
THE South Wales Branch held a really
interesting event at Taffs Well Rugby Club.
Initially we had planned for a joint event with
another professional body, but sadly it didn’t
pan out as expected so we ploughed on to
organise our ‘six months since Brexit – what’s
changed?’ event.
We started the evening with two excellent
speakers. Stephen Thompson from Darwin
Gray Solicitors gave a talk on the importance
of T&Cs and when to get these in place.
This opened up a good discussion on those
points and some of the horror stories we have
encountered.
Then our very own Diane Keeling gave a
talk about managing a collections team and
some of the myths surrounding that. Her
personal story was amazing and has certainly
transformed the company she works for – no
wonder they recently won an award!
Time then for the curry, to refresh our
drinks and have a sit down and mingle with all
the attendees. As a committee we decided,
THE TURNER LECTURE
AROUND 80 members and guests were
entertained and enlightened at the 16th
Annual Turner Lecture in the auspicious
surrounding of the Strand, Fleet and Bell Suite
of the Law Society, Chancery Lane.
Following a drinks reception, this year’s
event took the form of an interactive question
and answer session with Kent Branch Vice
Chair, Richard Seadon, admirably playing the
David Dimbleby role of ‘Question Master’.
The esteemed panel fielding all the questions
were: Toby Riley-Smith QC from Henderson
Chambers; Atul Vadher, International Credit
Manager from French Connection; Chris
Sanders, Head of Accreditation for CICMQ;
and Debbie Tuckwood, Director of Learning
and Development at the CICM.
In true Question Time style, the majority of
the questions had been submitted in advance.
There was also time for questions from the
audience, testimonials from Hays to say how
important the CICM qualifications were for
employers seeking credit control staff, and
also from EDF explaining how the company
and its staff had benefitted from CICM
courses.
Atul described how he viewed the role of
the modern credit professional and outlined
some of the problems we all face, and Chris
gave an insight into the processes and
benefits of companies becoming CICMQaccredited.
mainly due to the topic, to open this event out
to all and sundry, so there was a good mix of
businesses in the room.
On to the main event – the debating panel.
On our panel we had Jason Braidwood, a CICM
member from Creditsafe, and Rob Warlow,
ex-Barclays Bank Head of Africa Operations
who now has his own business, Business
Loan Services, which helps companies secure
lending for a wide range of needs.
Manjit Biant, a University Lecturer teaching
Business and Finance, Global Financial Markets
and also sits on the board for the Welsh
Exporters Association, was also on the Panel.
We kicked off with a question that had been
emailed into us and then followed an hour of
really lively and good discussions with a wide
range of related topics being discussed.
We plan to run a similar event in another six
months, but cunningly will change the title to
‘One year since Brexit – what’s changed?’
Our next event is on 2 December in Cardiff.
Author: Steve White MCICM
Debbie covered questions on
qualifications, study pathway and the
available options for learning. This included
references to face-to-face teaching, virtual
CICM classes and in-house company training,
as well as the new Level 2 / Level 3 Trailblazer
Apprenticeship Scheme.
Last but not least, Toby Riley-Smith then
diplomatically handled questions put to him
by Stephen Baister on the enormous increase
in court fees and the ongoing Lord Justice
Briggs review of the Court Service.
Thanks must also go to Richard and to
Simon Paterson for their efforts in making the
event such a success.
Author: Kevin Artlett FCICM ACII
CURRENT JOB TITLE:
National Credit Control
Manager.
CURRENT COMPANY
NAME:
Phoenix
Pharmaceuticals.
NUMBER OF YEARS IN CREDIT
MANAGEMENT: 34 years.
NUMBER OF YEARS IN CURRENT ROLE:
15 years in January.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO CREDIT
MANAGEMENT?
I first of all started in sales ledger but I
was really good at getting money in the
bank so I naturally fell into credit control.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT
WHERE YOU WORK?
They are a fantastic company who look
after you with things like discounts and
use of a well-being department.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
At Phoenix there is a European league
table – I like to be at the top. Reputation
for me is everything!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Some might think it is boring but fish and
chips.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY
DESTINATION?
Disney World.
NAME THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD
INVITE TO A DINNER PARTY AND WHY?
Hilary Clinton – I think she is such a
strong woman.
Donald Trump – just for a good argument
My mum – She would have everyone
speechless
60SECONDS
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME/
RELAXATION ACTIVITY?
I like to go to the beauty spa and get a
pedicure, but not a massage, that would
be too relaxed!
IF YOU WERE TO HAVE ONE SPECIAL
POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Invisibility – so that I could hear what
everyone says about me!
WHAT IS THE BEST/WORST QUALITY IN
A LEADER?
Patience is the best quality in a leader
and being over aggressive is the worst.
WHO IS YOUR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL
HERO?
Hilary Clinton.
WHAT CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
Chocolate!
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU
WASTED MONEY ON?
Whatever the last thing was that I bought
my three daughters! Whatever they want
they get!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE OR
MOTTO?
Treat others as you would like to be
treated.
IF YOU WEREN’T WORKING IN CREDIT
MANAGEMENT, WHAT WOULD YOU BE
DOING?
Politics.
WITH
The recognised standard
www.cicm.com December 2016 55