CM September 2020

FROM THE CHAIR
Dream Big
Reflections of the outgoing Chair.
AUTHOR – Pete Whitmore FCICM
Pete Whitmore FCICM
I
can barely believe that this will
be my last column as Chair of our
wonderful Institute or that the two
years have passed so quickly. In my
first column, I challenged fellow
credit professionals to dream big by
making use of the Institute’s support facilities
including the mentor hub.
Boy, I never expected just how much we
would need those support facilities to help
us manage the needs of this much changed
world. To think at that time, we expected our
biggest challenge to be the impact of Brexit,
once we knew what it really meant. That
challenge is still there, but has been vastly
overshadowed by the global pandemic, which
continues to threaten our very existence both
personally and professionally.
What never ceases to astound me is the
strength of the human spirit to overcome
adversity and the acts of kindness that
provide the inspiration to take us forward. A
new generation of real superheroes has been
acknowledged in the form of those wonderful
frontline workers and here’s hoping that their
actions and sacrifices are never forgotten.
The world has changed and a ‘new normal’
continues to be established. I am proud of
the fact that the CICM has led the way in
developing the tools that we need to meet the
ever-changing demands of this new world.
Beginning with ‘Managing Credit in a Crisis’
to ‘Managing Credit through the Recovery’ to
the latest ‘Managing the New Credit Future,’
the CICM has provided a bounty of resources
supplemented by many webinars and the
sharing of knowledge. We continue to deliver
on the mantle of being the recognised
standard in credit.
I would like to thank Sue Chapple FCICM
for the way in which she has steered the
CICM through these unprecedented times
ensuring a strong future for the Institute.
Sue has already proven herself as a worthy
successor to the role of Chief Executive and
will use her practical credit management
knowledge and experience to continuously
drive the Institute forward. There are exciting
times ahead.
We also have a team at The Watermill that
keep the interests and needs of the members
at the heart of everything we do. They have
all gone the extra mile during this crisis to
ensure that we can continue to deliver the
services and support our members need.
I thank them for everything they have
achieved.
I could not pen my last column without
paying homage to Philip King FCICM. He was
primarily the reason that I became involved
with the Institute many years ago. Philip has
shown that it is possible to enter the credit
industry in a junior administration role and
rise through the ranks to Credit Manager
before becoming the Chief Executive of
our Institute and then onto public office as
the Interim Small Business Commissioner.
Never underestimate the calibre of CICM
professionals!
The value of having an experienced, strong
and diverse Executive Board has never been
more personified than during the current
crisis. The ability to be able to provide
excellent guidance has been critical and I
have been so fortunate to have a board full
of individuals at the top of their profession.
I cannot begin to thank them enough for all
their hard work making my job far easier
than it could have been.
The end of my tenure as Chair will also
mark the end of my involvement in the
governance of the Institute after the best part
of a decade. I will still be involved in technical
matters and hope to have the opportunity to
interact with many members as we come
out of this crisis. I feel so privileged to have
been Chair and know that the future of the
Institute is in very safe hands.
Stay safe and remember, if you dream big,
anything is possible.
What never ceases to astound me is the
strength of the human spirit to overcome
adversity and the acts of kindness that provide
the inspiration to take us forward.
Advancing the credit profession / www.cicm.com / September 2020 / PAGE 17