CICM Yorkshire Ridings supports SME Safari roundtable in Leeds

CICM members, business owners and senior civil servants discuss payment culture and the proposed Commercial Payments Bill at PwC Leeds.

CICM Yorkshire Ridings supported the Office of the Small Business Commissioner’s SME Safari in Leeds on 23 September, bringing practical credit management experience into a constructive discussion about the pressures facing smaller businesses.

Hosted by PwC Leeds, the roundtable brought together the branch committee, locally represented CICM Corporate Partners, CICM Board members, business owners and senior civil servants.

SME Safaris connect civil servants with entrepreneurs in their everyday trading environments, giving policymakers an opportunity to hear directly how commercial conditions and government decisions affect businesses.

The Leeds event followed Emma Jones CBE, Small Business Commissioner, generously supporting the branch’s January AGM, where she invited Chair Luke Sculthorp FCICM to help bring the initiative to the city.

Payment confidence and early communication

Business owners shared their experiences of rising operating costs, the challenges of growing a business and the impact of unpredictable payment. A particular concern was invoice disputes emerging late in the billing cycle, after suppliers had already planned around the expected receipt.

Brian Gibson FCICM of BW Legal, a Fair Payment Code Gold accredited business, highlighted a familiar challenge:

“On a 30 day invoice, a customer raises a dispute on day 27, often over just a few transaction lines or a small amount. Why should that delay payment of the undisputed balance?”

His contribution brought the discussion back to a practical principle: raise queries promptly, work together to resolve them and keep undisputed payments moving. BW Legal’s Gold accreditation also provided a positive example of businesses demonstrating their commitment to fair payment.

The proposed Commercial Payments Bill would generally require customers to notify suppliers of payment disputes, with sufficient detail, at least seven days before payment falls due. Subject to exceptions, late notification would give suppliers a right to compensation. The proposal encourages earlier communication and resolution, while preserving the ability to raise a genuine dispute. These measures are not yet in force. (bills.parliament.uk, bills.parliament.uk)

For smaller suppliers, earlier notification could provide valuable time to investigate a query, supply evidence and resolve an issue before an expected payment is missed. For credit teams, it reinforces the value of clear terms, accessible records and constructive customer communication.

Supporting the next stage of enterprise

The conversation also explored the conditions that help entrepreneurs invest again. Ben Hirst, Founder of Horizon Platforms, discussed his ambitions following an Employee Ownership Trust exit:

“I want to be involved in another business following the EOT exit. Taxation is part of that decision, and I am exploring the acquisition of an established business rather than starting from scratch.”

His experience broadened the discussion beyond the immediate pressures of trading to the support business owners need when considering their next investment. It also illustrated why policymakers benefit from hearing directly from people who have built businesses and want to continue contributing.

Bringing experience into policymaking

For CICM Yorkshire Ridings, the roundtable provided a welcome opportunity to connect the experience of credit professionals with the realities facing entrepreneurs and the work of policymakers.

Predictable payment gives businesses greater confidence to employ, invest and grow. Credit professionals can support that confidence through clear agreements, timely communication and fair, consistent treatment of customers and suppliers.

The branch warmly thanks Emma Jones CBE and the Office of the Small Business Commissioner for bringing the initiative to Leeds, PwC for hosting, and everyone who contributed their time and experience to such an open and thoughtful discussion.