CIVEA Conference 2024

CIVEA Conference 2024.

In April the Civil Enforcement Association returned to the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, in, London for a one-day conference, exhibition and gala dinner.

The theme of the conference was Defining Modern Enforcement, which signalled the need for debate on how the industry defines itself in the wake of the pandemic and what is required to meet the challenges put of our public sector.

The theme this year is Defining Modern Enforcement. It has been ten years since The Taking Control of Goods Regulations came into force. So, the conference was an opportunity to review the impact of the regulations and ask ourselves what a future enforcement sector will look like.

The conference brought together the enforcement industry, local government, the technology sector, civil service and debt charities to debate issues and share ideas on how, with increased demand for the highest standards, the industry can continue to support central and local government clients. Topical debates ranged from operational challenges like responsible collections and smart enforcement to policy challenges, including independent oversight and sustaining a high calibre workforce.

The day began with a message from Lord Bellamy, the Justice Minister, who thanked the industry delegates for their important. He spoke of his desire for fair treatment of people and debt and his support for the innovative use of technology. He was grateful for the industry’s proactivity in supporting the Enforcement Conduct Board.

The keynote speech was delivered by Lord Lucas, Chair of the Enforcement Law Review Group, who confessed to being a convert to the industry having previously been critical. He spoke of the reform programme that has led to collaboration on an independent oversight body and its importance for the evolution of our sector.

The morning panel sessions focused on the use of technology. The first session highlighted the development of technology solutions that has become integral to modern enforcement.

Panel 1 – The impact of technology on collections and vulnerability

Chair, Carole Kenney, Director, Welfare. Road Traffic & Road User Charging, CDER Group

Panellists:

Nick Rowe – IRRV President and Assistant Director - Revenues and Payments, Ealing Borough Council

Darren Kelk, Managing Director, Ascendant Solutions

Vanessa Northam, Head of Charity Development, StepChange

Darren Smith, Head of Transformation, Liberata

The second panel discussed how data is being used in modern enforcement and predict how it will support enforcement action in the future.

Panel 2 – Data is the key to unlock Smart Enforcement

Chair, John Mason, Managing Director, Trace Enforcement

Panellists:

Dan Pearce, Director of Business Development, TelSolutions

Justin Hanna, Head of Direct Sales, Acquired

Richard Hanby, Technical Director, Ascendant Solutions

After lunch the focus turned to industry supervision and the challenges of professionalising our industry. Our new President led a panel that considered best practice from other sectors.

Panel 3 – Preparing for Independent supervision

Chair, Sarah Naylor, Sales Director, Dukes Bailiffs

Panellists:

Chris Nichols, Chief Executive, Enforcement Conduct Board

Caroline Wells, Founder of Different Petal and CIVEA CARE Panel member

Joseph Surtees, Head of Standards and Continuous Improvement, Government Debt Management Function, HM Treasury

Anna Roughley, Head of Insight and Engagement, Lending Standards Board

The final session was an in depth discussion on the challenges for the enforcement industry that is seeking recognition as a skilled profession. Topics included diversity in the workforce and staff welfare and training.

Panel 4 – Beyond the ECB: Professionalising our sector

Chair, Amy Collins, Managing Director, Rundles

Panellists:

Sue Chapple, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Credit Management

Deven Ghelani, Director of Policy in Practice

Muna Yassin, Chief Executive, Rooted Finance