Credit Management magazine October 2017

BRANCH NEWS
Wine and Wisdom
Kent Branch
HAPPY Hays won the
Kent Branch Shield for
the first time in their
history at CICM Kent
Branch Annual Charity
Wine and Wisdom Event
(sponsored by Credit Limits International),
held for the third year in succession at the
Assembly Rooms in Faversham. Fighting
off the close challenge from seven
other opponents, the team from Hays
in Maidstone, led by Craig Humphrey,
emerged victorious after the scores from
the final round were added up.
A mention must go to Los Tranquilos,
skippered by Bob Baldwin, former Kent
Branch Chair, and The Tassells Allstars,
a local firm of solicitors, who both kept
the pressure on the winning team all
the way. Last year’s winners, Team GB
from TG Baynes, put up a brave fight to try
to retain the Shield, as did Les Chasseurs
EARLY arrivals to our event at Newcastle’s
Dance City were treated to a man dancing
in the entrance lobby, on his head. Perfect
justification for our use of this alternative
venue.
We gathered to hear Claire Aynsley,
Head of Regulatory Compliance
and Standards at the Credit Services
Association (CSA). Claire explained her
long job title and the work of the CSA
before enlightening us on the General
Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). GDPR
will replace the Data Protection Act 1998
on 25 May 2018.
Claire’s key message was about
awareness and preparation. To make
senior management aware that this is
De Dettes from Credit Limits International.
As for the Kent Branch Committee Team?
Well, at least they helped set up the event
beforehand and tidied up afterwards!
As ever, the questions were taxing
but varied, ranging from current topics
(yes, we even had a Brexit round) and we
are grateful to Simon Paterson, Branch
Treasurer, for being our resident Quiz
Master.
Proceeds from the entry fee and raffle
raised £630 for The Ellenor Lions Hospice
in Gravesend, chosen by the winners from
a shortlist of local charities nominated by
the Committee.
Thanks must again go to Simon and
Marion for organising the food and
beverages, Pierre for sponsoring the wine
and the Committee for its hard work in
making this another success.
Author:
Kevin Artlett.
GDPR leave you
dancing on your head?
North East Branch
going to happen and to be prepared. GDPR
will affect any organisation that processes
personal data, including employee data.
No business will escape, even leaving the
EU will not change this.
We heard about changes in increased
accountability, more rights for individuals
and new obligations for reporting
breaches. There was very much more and
Claire kindly left us all a copy of the CSA
GDPR guidance to get us started. We went
away ready to review our contracts and
procedures. Some members searched for
a quiet corner to dance on their head and
gently weep.
Author:
Paul Woodward MCICM(Grad).
Full name:
Clare Withers
Current job title:
Accounts Receivable Manager
Current company name:
Transas Marine
60SECONDS
WITH
Number of years in credit management: 22
Number of years in current role:
Four months
How did you get into credit management?
I applied for a Sales and Purchase Ledger
Assistant Role when I was 17, without knowing
what a ledger was!
What is the best thing about where you
work?
It’s a business that’s going through change and
it’s very challenging, it’s a global business so the
chance to work with colleagues of all different
nationalities is something I really enjoy.
What motivates you?
The opportunity to learn/do something new and
my children motivate me too – I want to set a
good example to them of what can be achieved
through hard work.
What skill do you think has helped you
most in your credit career so far?
I think ‘natural’ skills more than ‘learned’ ones,
I’ve always been quite quick at picking things up
and I’m naturally quite impatient too, not a bad
thing when chasing debtors!
Name three people you would invite to a
dinner party and why?
Gene Kelly, Elizabeth I and my Dad, all people I
admired or loved who are no longer with us and
who I’d love to meet or see again.
What is your favourite pastime/relaxation
activity?
I do love a boxset binge.
What is the best/worst quality in a leader?
Inspiration and fairness are really important to
me, lack of empathy leaves me cold.
Who is your business or personal hero?
My best friend, like me she has no degree or
formal qualifications but through sheer hard
work and determination she’s worked her way
up to Director level in her business before she’s
40.
What can't you live without?
My children.
What’s been your most rewarding moment
in your credit career?
I was the recipient of an award for my work in
reducing debt and DSO and tightening processes
around the offering of credit. Nominations were
submitted to the board with examples of your
achievements and each year they recognised a
handful of employees they felt were deserving.
It was a complete surprise but I was absolutely
thrilled to receive it.
What has surprised you the most about
working in credit?
That I work in credit! I’m quite a flamboyant
person by nature and flamboyance and credit
don’t tend to go hand in hand, but it suits my
love of people and relationships, we all know
half the battle is the relationship you build with
your customer!
If you weren’t working in credit
management, what would you be doing?
I’d be teaching History in a secondary school
somewhere.
The Recognised Standard / www.cicm.com / November 2017 / PAGE 59