A must-attend for the credit services industry

The programme for the Credit Services Association and Debt Buyers and Sellers Group annual conference ‘Leading in an era of change’, to be held on 8-9 September, has been announced. To be held at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham, more than 250 delegates are expected to attend the event, designed to cover all aspects of the collection and debt sale and purchase arena.

The conference starts with the ever popular golf tournament, with team competitions and the chance to win a car with the ‘Hole in One’ competition. The Prize Giving Ceremony in the Club House follows.

The networking reception brings the first day to a close, with a preview of the exhibition, drinks reception and buffet.

High profile speakers
On the second day of the Conference, CSA president, Roger Lucas and DBSG chairman Leigh Berkley, will welcome delegates to the opening session, followed by a keynote speech from Michael Wilson, who is the former business editor at Sky News.

In 1992, he left to present GMTV’s early morning news and business hour. He then returned to Sky as business editor in 1995, and launched ‘Sky Business Report’, the news channel’s then daily evening money programme. Since then, he has anchored nearly all of Sky’s coverage of major business events, from Budget specials to market crashes. He’s now the longest serving broadcast business editor.

Michael has a long pedigree in news, business and current affairs. Before Sky, he was a reporter and presenter on Thames TV’s flagship ‘This Week’ and in 1987, he helped found Thames’ award-winning ‘The City Programme’, where he worked as a reporter and main presenter. Since leaving Sky News, he has returned to GMTV as a business analyst.

Hot topics
The afternoon programme is split into three running themes covering debt sale and purchase, collections and compliance, and a series of workshops, one of which will be held by Natalie Ceeney, chief ombudsman and chief executive of the Financial Ombudsman Service. The breakout sessions will also give members the opportunity to network and explore the exhibition.

In the debt sale and purchase field, keynote speakers include Graham Martin, UK Financial Services Leader and Portfolio Advisory Group Leader, who will be talking about ‘Learning from debt sales in other European markets’, and Robert Boulding, financial valuations and consumer finance specialist at PricewaterHouse Coopers, who will be discussing ‘Insights into the UK consumer finance market – the challenges faced and thoughts for the future’.

Can't pay, won't pay
On the topic of collections and compliance, Alex McDermott, creditor liaison policy officer, Citizens Advice Bureau, and Bob Kingdon, head of compliance, 1st Credit Limited, will be speaking on ‘Can’t pays vs won’t pays vs your profit margin’. After a break for lunch, Paul Hughes, head of creditor services, The P&A Partnership will give a presentation on ‘Insolvencies, pre-packs and debt management regulations’.

Following the conference will be the DBSG AGM that provides an opportunity to discuss plans for the forthcoming 12 months and how best to continue the group’s progression and growth. The CSA AGM, enables CSA members to find out more on the group’s progression and have a say in the future aims and objectives of the group.

“As ever we have wanted the conference to be a mixture of work and pleasure. The gala dinner includes an awards ceremony, great networking opportunities, and lively entertainment, an unmissable date in the industry’s social calendar. It is also a final opportunity to cement contacts already established,” says Peter Wallwork, CEO of the CSA and DBSG.

The Gala DInner
The Gala Dinner is always in high demand and with 300 places available at this year’s event, it is an unmissable date in the industry’s social calendar. We start with a welcome
drink at the president’s reception before delegates move into the gala dinner, a great way to relax and unwind after the day’s events have taken place.

Delegates are then asked to take their seats by the host, which follows onto our awards ceremony and our evening entertainment. This is put simply: “The perfect way to
relax and unwind and to build strong relations with your colleagues and peers.”

The conference is open to both non-members and members of the Association. For a booking form and more information visit the CSA/DBSG website at www.csa-uk.com or call 0191 286 5656 quoting Government Business to receive the discounted member rate.

About the CSA
The Credit Services Association (CSA) is the only National Association in the UK for companies active in relation to unpaid credit accounts, debt recovery agencies, tracing and allied professional services and has a history dating back to 1902.

The CSA’s knowledge of the industry remains second to none, and as the industry continues to grow and develop into a more complex specialist market the CSA ais on hand to provide members with up-to-date information, on issues affecting the industry now and offering advice and guidance along the way.

Members offer a wide range of bespoke credit services, including credit investigation, status enquiries, company searches, credit control expertise, credit insurance support and debt purchase.

About the DBSG
The DBSG works for the benefit of those involved in buying or selling debts (or intermediaries in the sale process).

Debt sale and purchase has truly established itself as a key part of the recovery process working in, and with, the debt collection industry. It is estimated that debts with a face value of £8 billion will be traded in the sector this year. The aims of the group are to:
•    Be an effective expert voice for the industry
•    Define and ensure best practice
•    Share expertise and guidance
•    Encourage meetings and exchanging of ideas
•    Provide clarity on issues and terminology
•    Ensure and promote a responsible industry

For more information
For a booking form and more information visit the CSA/DBSG website at www.csa-uk.com or call 0191 286 5656 quoting Government Business to receive the discounted member rate.