Shergroup has always been a keen supporter of the ICM and in the last year has been steadily building its links to develop the ICM Essex Branch.

Therefore, in March this year we hosted a “Question Time”-style breakfast, with Brooks Newmark MP hosting the event at Shergroup?s offices.

Then, in October this year, we supported the 2nd Annual ICM Essex Law Conference at the Stock Country Club in Billericay. Building on the success of the 2008 event saw the acting Committee for the Essex branch pull out all the stops to give members and their guests a highly informative afternoon at the Stock Brook Manor Country Club.

The 2009 Essex Law Conference programme saw Claire Sandbrook as the acting Vice Chair of the Branch welcome over fifty delegates to the proceedings. Richard Brown of Buttsbury Consulting (a long-time member of the ICM and acting Treasurer) gave an intensive foundation in the development of credit management and urged delegates to re-establish the basics of collection and incorporate the full use of technologies such as SMS and voice messaging for both the commercial and the consumer markets.

Stephen Allinson (Solicitor and Insolvency Practitioner at Moon Beever) gave an entertaining presentation on the developments of insolvency and how to use the best elements of the Insolvency Act to collect debts.

The role of “collections versus legal” was analysed by Larry Coltman (Chairman of the ICM), who stressed the importance of due diligence when taking accounts to the stage of legal proceedings, and highlighted the pitfalls to be avoided.

Looking at the Scottish view, Stephen Cowan (Principal at Yuill & Kyle Solicitors) discussed enforcement in Scotland, terminology and the different practices that need to be taken into account when instigating legal proceedings in Scotland.

A passionate update on the new training initiatives developed by the ICM was given by Philip King as the ICM’s CEO, who also spoke about the lobby activities of the Institute and the creation of the Prompt Payment Code and its adoption by the FSB, CBI and the Chambers of Commerce.

Claire Sandbrook rounded off the day by giving the Enforcement Officer’s viewpoint and a summary of what credit managers need to know about the enforcement arena today.

Feedback on the event was excellent, with some delegates coming from as far a field as Warwick to attend the event. Ruth Dixon (ICM Regional Representative) said: “I am proud to see so many delegates at this year?s event. It has been an excellent and varied programme.”

Shergroup was also pleased to support the ICM East Midlands Branch with old friends Chris Else, and Neil Jinks of Else Solicitors.

And finally, Alan Smith as Chief of Operations and David Asker as Chief of IT supported the ICM Wessex branch with a demonstration of the SHERPA system in an evening dedicated to technology-driven solutions for the credit industry.

FIf you would like to find out more about the Institute of Credit Management, please visit the ICM website at www.icm.org.uk