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., on the evening of Friday 7 October.

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 at CICMQ and Debbie Tuckwood, Director of Learning & Development at the CICM.

In true Question Time style, the majority of the questions had been submitted in advance but there was also room for questions from the audience as well as testimonials from Hays to say how important the CICM qualifications were for employers seeking credit control staff and from EDF explaining how the company and staff had benefited from CICM courses.

Atul described how he saw the role of the modern credit manager and outlined some of the problems we all currently face and Chris gave an insight into the processes and benefits of companies becoming CICMQ accredited.

Debbie covered questions on qualifications, study pathway and the available options for learning. This included reference 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.

Kevin Artlett FCICM ACII
Secretary
CICM Kent Branch