Executive Changes: UK Credit Services Association Adds Two ARM Specialists

The Credit Services Association (CSA), voice of the UK debt collection industry, has further strengthened its Board with the appointment of two senior members of the debt collection community: compliance specialist Sara de Tute and tracing specialist Gary Jones.

Sara who is Legal and Compliance Director at Wescot Credit Services joins the board having been an active participant on several CSA working parties over the past 18 months, most notably in relation to the Consumer Credit Act 2006 (CCA06). “As I found myself becoming increasingly involved in CSA activities, joining the CSA Board was the natural progression, enabling me to do something from within to raise the profile of compliance both within the industry and amongst its regulators,” says Sara.

“Compliance in the credit industry is essential, especially given the constant new challenges in legislation and regulation. Any legislation tends to be written from a front-end perspective, focusing on the direct relationship between the consumer and creditor. There are obviously very different issues and challenges when it comes to collecting debt,” Sara continues. “I aim to build on the CSA’s extensive lobbying to date, to ensure greater visibility and focus on the role of debt collection in legislation.”

Sara trained as a lawyer and worked for private practice before joining Wescot 5½ years ago, tasked with litigation and debt recovery. She then began to focus on compliance, her legal training standing her in good stead to best understand legislation and regulation. Sara joined Wescot’s Board in April 2007, and regularly attends creditor forums and free advice agency meetings, offering her a wide view of the industry.

Gary Jones has also been actively involved with CSA activities, and like Sara decided to join the Board after his increasing participation, particularly in pushing forward his initiative, the CSA tracing code of conduct. “Though it is an essential part of the debt collection process, for too long tracing has been viewed by many as a disingenuous practice and pushed into the background. In working to raise the profile of trace, and to develop a dedicated trace code of conduct, I began to work ever more closely with the CSA. In joining the board I look forward to continuing this work and putting trace firmly on the agenda.

“Regulation and compliance are naturally a key consideration so I look forward to working with Sara and other members of the Board. I also aim to work to improve the quality of bureau reference data, and work with CSA Training Services to implement a big push in trace training,” Gary concludes.

Gary joined the debt collection industry as a doorstep collector at the age of 18, progressing to generalised investigations before specialising in telephone tracing. He established J2 Solutions in 2004.

Commenting on the appointments, Executive Director of the CSA, Kurt Obermaier said: “At a time when new legislation and regulation is having a significant impact on the standard working processes of the debt collection industry, and as the number of cases requiring a trace continues to rise, the experience and expertise of Sara and Gary in these key areas is sure to be a great boost to the Board. I look forward to working with them towards best practice.”