ICM North West Branch
Pre Packs - The debate
The North West Branch's event held jointly with Deloitte LLP was in the form of an open forum debate on the merits or otherwise of pre-pack administrations.
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Although attendance was disappointing, those present were able to participate in a lively and stimulating discussion. Deloitte Director Dan Smith presented the case for the insolvency profession thoroughly and clearly, and whilst supporting the basic concepts of pre-packs was appreciative of and sympathetic towards the problems pre-packs cause to the credit profession.
Glen Bullivant chaired the debate and as usual was on sparkling form, sharing with all amusing anecdotes gleaned from his long and varied career as a credit professional. In summing up, Glen ventured the opinion that we in the UK get the insolvency legislation and practices we deserve, and that it is incumbent of credit professionals to become more involved in the insolvency process.
Perception is everything, and some of the views held by the credit profession regarding pre-packs were, in Glen's opinion, a direct result of some dubious practices encountered in the early days of pre-packs, which have since been eliminated, but which leave the perception that pre-packs and underhand dealings go hand-in-hand.
The Committee would like to express its sincere thanks to the hosts, to Deloitte for their support and for the excellent facilities and superb organisation they were able to provide. Thanks are also due to Glen, who shoe-horned the event in between chairing a meeting of the Technical Committee in London and flying off to Finland for a meeting of FECMA.
The North West Branch are planning an interesting and varied schedule of events for the New Year, and details will follow in due course.
The North West branch received excellent attendance at the recent Student Information Evening held at The University of Salford. A more informal format this year saw the venue full of new and existing learners ready to enrol and interested in finding out more about the ICM and the award winning education programme offered by the Organisational Learning Centre (OLC Europe).
There was a special presentation to our highest achieving in class students (see below) which further endorses the quality of education provided in the North West region. A special mention goes to the year’s highest achiever Paul Harris (Level 3), who received the special Hays Specialist Recruitment (Credit) achievement award. Also Anne Burns from BT received a special achievement award for her success in attaining 4 distinctions at Level 3 on the OLC supported home learning scheme and an additional achievement award from Hays.
Those present on the evening included Professor John Sharp and Dr. Chris Bamber from OLC Europe, who were on hand to answer questions relating to both the Level 3 and 5 education programmes; Debbie Tuckwood, Director of Operational Strategy from ICM HQ, who dealt with a continuous stream of questions all evening; and also Maylis Foster and Briony Turley from Hays, who were on hand to answer all employment issues and reinforce the value of ICM education.
Representatives from OLC and the North West Branch worked throughout the evening to make newcomers welcome and to answer any specific questions and an OLC courses registration area was available all evening. The NW Committee would like to say a special thank you to the OLC team who worked tirelessly and presented an exceptionally professional and friendly front and also a special mention to Paul Gill, a new graduate who readily jumped in to help. Thanks also go to OLC’s tutors, who also made themselves readily available throughout the evening for introductions and advice.
For further information regarding the North West Education Programme, contact Gloria L. Bodell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the ICM website.
Cooking on gas at the summer barbecue
The great British weather stayed fine just long enough for the North West Branch to successfully stage their annual barbecue.
Credit Policy
ICM North West Branch Members' Meeting 28 March 2011
The recent North West branch meeting was attended by around thirty members and guests.
Branch Secretary and NW Regional Representative, David Thornley, gave a well-received presentation on the do's and don'ts of establishing and implementing a successful credit policy.
The presentation provoked a lively debate and a free exchange of ideas amongst the attendees. Afterwards, there was a chance for the attendees to mingle and enjoy a buffet, provided by the Village Hotel in Bury.
The Committee wish to thank David for his presentation, and our event sponsors, Hays and OLC (Europe) for their continuing support.
What can the ICM do for you?
Around 40 members, students and guests attended the North West Branch October Meeting entitled ’What the ICM Can Do for You’.
Who better to address those present than Glen Bullivant? Glen drew on his vast repertoire of experiences and anecdotes to provide an insight into the institute and its services that was informative, thought-provoking and above all, extremely amusing.
Glen even had his fan club present, with students having Glen sign their copy of his Credit Management Handbook and pose for photos with its distinguished editor.
After Glen’s presentation, the attendees enjoyed a splendid buffet which was provided by the Village Hotel in Bury and were able to mingle and chat as well as discuss and seek advice from branch committee members, representatives from Hays, OLC (Europe) and of course Glen himself.
A successful evening all round, and thanks go to Hays Credit Recruitment and OLC (Europe) for their kind support and sponsorship and also to Glen, for his presentation and for making the trek over the Pennines into the alien land of Lancashire.
A Warm Reception at North West Branch
Blessed with warm sunshine, the North West Branch’s summer barbecue and networking event proved to be a successful evening, drawing a great deal of positive feedback from many of the 40 plus members and guests present.
The excellent food and facilities provided by the Village Hotel in Bury added greatly to the overall mood of relaxed conviviality, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The evening also provided a forum for Members to do business in a comfortable environment and North West learners had the opportunity to liaise with tutors and members from North Westeducation providers OLC Europe. The evening’s charity raffle raised £50 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Special thanks must go to the staff at the Village Hotel, and to the evening’s hosts and sponsors, WWB Recruitment. Founded in 2001, WWB undertake financial, HR, legal and insolvency recruitment working primarily with professional firms, private and public sector organisations.
Commenting on the event, Belinda Roberts, Head of Credit Recruitment at WWB said “we are delighted to have sponsored such a successful event. It was great to catch up with so many credit professionals in one evening. We look forward to continuing to work with and support the ICM.”
This is the second time we have staged this particular event, which seems to be establishing itself as a highly popular addition to the North West branch calender
For further information regarding North West branch activity, contact Branch Secretary, Peter Gent FICM at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
