Credit Manager Magazine 9/2021

42 CREDIT MANAGER MAGAZINE WRZESIEŃ / SEPTEMBER 2021 FECMA Glen Bullivant Glen Bullivant FCICM is a Vice Pres- ident & Treasurer of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and currently works as a credit manage- ment consultant. Involved with credit for over 40 years, he has worked in manufacturing, en- gineering and service industries, in- cluding export. Glen has been a member of the CICM for more than 30 years and, in addi- tionto being a past Chairman of the Institute, also chairs its Technical Ad- visory Committee, serves on its Ed- ucation Committee and is Editor of the Federation of the European Credit Management Associations (FECMA) newsletter. cial calamity of 2020/21 – even with support from governments, failures have been inevi- table – the challenge facing credit managers is to protect and invest in profitable receiva- bles and at the same time look after all their people. A broken computer is easily replaced or repaired, but a broken mind and spirit needs genuine support and care. The credit family extends beyond the con- fines of the company office. In the United Kingdom we are fortunate to be able to ben- efit from the wider professional community which is the Chartered Institute of Credit Management. Originally founded in 1939 as the Institute of CreditMen, progress was delayed by an outbreak of unpleasantness in Europe and by the time operations were able to resume in full in 1946, common sense had prevailed, and the name changed to In- stitute of Credit Management. Going from strength to strength, the Institute received a Royal Charter in late 2014, taking effect from 1 January 2015 as the Chartered Institute of Credit Management. A Royal Charter is a formal document issued by the monarch as “Letters Patent”, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. The grant- ing of such charters is rare, reserved for em- inent professional bodies or charities which have a solid record of achievement and are financially sound. In the case of professional bodies, they represent a field of activity which is unique and not covered by other profes- sional bodies. CICM is now recognised as the world’s largest professional credit manage- ment organisation and is a founder member of FECMA (Federation of European Credit Management Associations), established in 1986. CICM offers a wide range of services and support to its members not least of which is learning and development leading to a UK government recognised qualification in cred- it management and letters after your name! Members of CICMhave access to a magazine, both in print and on-line as well as many support services, such as the Knowledge Hub and the one-to-one on-line help and guidance to learners of a dedicated Mentor. The Institute recognises that networking is of vital importance to credit professionals and pre-pandemic held many national and local events, and it is true to say that the CICM British Credit Awards Dinner in London was the highlight of any credit manager’s calen- dar. It is fervently hoped that this event will return in 2022, bigger and better than ever. A jewel in the Institute’s crown is CICMQ, a quality in credit management accreditation given to only the very best in the country, and much sought after enabling the sharing of best practice in credit management whatever the industry sector. Networking and sharing of best practice extends beyond national bor- ders and FECMA is committed to promotion of the profession throughout Europe. Membership of a professional credit manage- ment organisation is one of the many ways that credit professionals can face all the chal- lenges that will be faced in a post-pandemic world. Whether you are in Wolverhampton or Warsaw, Berlin or Brussels, Rotterdam or Rome, you are not alone. There are thousands out there, eager to share their knowledge and experience with you, and equally eager to learn from you through your knowledge and experience. Remember. No man or woman is an island – together we are champions. “CICM is now recognised as the world’s largest professional credit management organisation and is a founder member of FECMA (Federation of European Credit Management Associations).”