The British Credit Awards are open to any organisation or individual that offers relevant products and services to the UK market.

For all categories barring the Resilience & Continuity Award, companies and individuals will need to highlight their work and achievements from within the last 12 months.

B2B Team Award
Open to teams who have achieved operational excellence in any aspect of credit management delivery in a B2B environment; in the public or private sector. The judges will want to understand what has been achieved, how it has been achieved, and what the benefits have been. Entries will need to demonstrate the power of the team ethos and behaviours.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation (100 words)
• What has been achieved over the past 12 months? (350 words)
• How was it achieved? (350 words)
• What have been the measurable benefits to the organisation and the team? (350 words)

Supplier of the Year Award
Open to suppliers to the credit management sector who are delivering innovative and effective solutions for credit teams in the public or private sector. Entries should set out what the solution is, what benefits it has delivered and how the supplier and client have worked collaboratively to maximise those benefits.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What does your service/solution do? (350 words)
• How does it differ from what has been done before, and what has changed? (350 words)
• What measurable benefits have you delivered? (350 words)

B2C Collections Team Award
Open to teams who have achieved operational excellence in any aspect of credit management delivery in a B2C environment, in the public or private sector. The judges will want to understand what has been achieved, how it has been achieved, and what the benefits have been. Entries will need to demonstrate the power of the team ethos and behaviors.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What has been achieved over the past 12 months? (350 words)
• How was it achieved? (350 words)
• What have been the measurable benefits to the organisation and the team? (350 words)
  

Social Mobility & Inclusion Award

This award recognises an organisation that can clearly demonstrate that it actively executes a strategy that puts social mobility and inclusion at the heart of its business. It may focus on one minority group but the winner will communicate a strategy that provides clear support and inclusion for all.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• How does your organisation define social mobility and inclusion, and how would it define success? (350 words)
• What is your social mobility and inclusion strategy, how is it implemented, and how is its impact measured? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples that illustrate the positive effect your programme has had on the organisation? (350 words)
  
  
  

Innovation & Technology Award
Recognising the impact of applying new information and communications technology, this award is open to entries from across the credit management spectrum. Entries should demonstrate achievement in greater efficiency, enhanced quality, better customer service, lower error rates and/or effective implementation within agreed budgets and timetables.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• Why was the solution needed and how was the need identified? (350 words)
• What is the technology, what was it expected to deliver, and over what time frame? (350 words)
• What measurable benefits has the solution delivered? (350 words)
  
  
  

Best Employer Award
Aimed at recognising employers who have created an excellent place to work, entries should show what has been achieved. It may focus on one area, such as learning & development, but the winner will communicate a strategy that provides clear support and inclusion through training, recognition, staff engagement, driving professionalism, and building motivated teams for all.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What has the organisation done to make it a great place to work? (350 words)
• What has been the impact on employees and employee behaviour? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples that illustrate the positive effect your programme has had on the organisation? (350 words)

Risk Management Award
Open to any fraud or risk manager, risk management team, or third party provider in the private or public sector that has made a significant contribution to the avoidance of fraud, advancement of risk management, or can demonstrate the benefits of a risk management programme.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What does your programme do? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples that illustrate the positive effect your programme has had on the organisation and your customers? (350 words)

Shared Service Provider Award
This award is open to any shared service provider supporting business with centralised activity. The provider might be in-house or a third party external resource and the judges will be looking for best in class operations delivering effective and efficient solutions.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What has been achieved over past 12 months? (350 words)
• How was it achieved, and how does the shared service function ensure it operates as an integral part of the business? (350 words)
• What have been the measurable benefits to the organisation? (350 words)
  
  

Debt Collection Agency of Award
Entries for this award can come from organisations providing third-party B2B or B2C debt collection services. They may be debt collection agencies or legal firms providing collection services. The judges are looking for evidence of the best performance within the sector, not only in terms of monies collected but also best use of employee reward, technology, customer satisfaction & integrity, including innovative approaches to niche sectors or markets.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What have you achieved in the past 12 months? (350 words)
• How has the use of innovation and/or technology made a difference in the service you provide? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples of how your methods have delivered exceptional customer care and/or client satisfaction? (350 words)
  
  
  

Insolvency Team Award
Insolvency Practitioners’ work involves frequent contact and engagement with creditors. This award invites IPs to demonstrate they take creditor relationships seriously and work with them to achieve the best outcomes by maximising realisations. They will exemplify best practice in supporting, and collaborating with, the creditor community.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• Why do you consider engagement with the creditor community important, and how do you assist credit professionals? (350 words)
• How do you ensure you communicate effectively with creditors to encourage them to support your activity as an IP in insolvency cases? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples where engagement with creditors has achieved positive outcomes? (350 words)
  
  
  

Legal Provider Award
This award is open to law firms providing legal services to the credit industry. The judges will be looking for evidence of the highest quality service and appropriate solutions, showing how they contribute to better outcomes for the client.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What approach do you take to casework and client liaison and how do you measure its effectiveness? (350 words)
• What innovative solutions have you adopted and what benefits have they delivered to your clients? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples where your approach has been successful and delivered tangible benefits? (350 words)

Giving Back Award
[Individuals or teams can enter for this award themselves, or a colleague or peer can enter for someone or a team they believe to be deserving of the award]

This award is open to any individual or team who shows commitment to support others in the profession, makes a difference in the community, promotes a charitable cause, or ‘gives back’ in any other way. It recognises people who are committing time and energy to help others.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you(they) should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What have you(they) done and why? (350 words)
• What positive impacts have you(they) had? (350 words)

Rising Star Award
[Individuals can enter for this award themselves, or a colleague or peer can enter for someone they believe to be deserving of the award]

The judges will be looking for an individual, two years or less into their career in credit, who has delivered exceptional performance in their role. They will show that they are already punching significantly above their weight and are committed to a career in credit or collections. They will have made a real difference since they arrived on the scene, and results will clearly illustrate their impact.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you(they) should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What is your(their) role, and what are your(their) outstanding qualities? In short, who are you(they)? (350 words)
• What have you(they) delivered over the past 12 months? (350 words)

Resilience & Continuity Award

The impact of businesses throughout 2020 and early 2021 has been unprecedented and has seen the credit industry face many challenges – but also opportunities. This award recognises those companies which have reacted quickly and strongly to survive and indeed thrive.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What challenges has your organization faced in the last 18 months? (350 words)
• Give examples of how your team/organization showed resilience? (350 words)
• What have you changed as a result of you overcoming challenges? (350 words)
  
  
  

Credit & Collections FinTech Supplier Award
This award is open to all suppliers of financial technology in the Credit Management and Collections arena. The Judges are looking for an innovative product or service that adds value to the payments experience; services could be from all areas of the FinTech sector including cards, Buy Now Pay Later, mobile and/or digital currency payments providers.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What does your product/solution do? (350 words)
• Can you share up to three examples that illustrate the positive effect your product/service has had on the organisation and your customers? (350 words)
  
  
  

Financial Services – Payment Innovation Award
This award celebrates innovation, collaboration and emerging payments by recognising companies that have made significant advances in how we pay today. Entries are encouraged from banks, card schemes, processors, and retailers. The judges will be looking for evidence of how a company has the potential to positively impact upon the payments system. 

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you(they) should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What have you done and why? (350 words)
• What positive impacts have you had? (350 words)
  
  
  

Sir Roger Cork Prize - Announced on the night!

An annual award presented to the candidate who achieved the highest aggregate CICM examination pass-marks within the calendar year 2022.

Jenny Oldfield Supporting Women in Credit Award
This award is presented to a woman currently working in credit management, who display a passion and drive for personal development in the credit industry. The prize is funded support through CICM qualifications at your next level or training, with CICM educational support. This award is provided by Jenny Oldfield, a Fellow of the CICM who has worked tirelessly in our industry, creating numerous opportunities for women both within her own business and companies across UK, US and Europe. She is a keen to see more women achieve a successful career in credit management through both education and hands on experience.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you/they should win this award? (350 words)
• Qualification aims – what would achieving a CICM qualification or ongoing training mean to you and your career? (100 words) 
• What challenges have you overcome in your career? (100 words)
• What life lessons have you learned in your career so far? (100 words)

Terms and conditions: The winner of this award is committing to starting their next level of CICM qualification or CICM training equivalent within 12 months of receipt. This award is non-transferrable.

Credit Professional of the Year Award
[Individuals can enter for this award themselves, or a colleague or peer can enter for someone they believe to be deserving of the award]

This is the ultimate accolade and is awarded to an inspirational role model in recognition of outstanding professionalism in the Credit Industry. Judges will be eager to see entries from candidates who have delivered tangible and measurable improvements in their particular field over the last 12 months. They will have to show a consistent and rigorous approach to professional development and training, and demonstrate a structured, considered and socially responsible approach to their business.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe you(they) should win this award? (100 words)
• Describe your organisation and your entry (100 words)
• What is your(their) current role, your(their) career to date, and what are your(their) outstanding qualities? In short, who are you(they)? (350 words)
• What improvements have you(they) delivered over the past 12 months? (350 words)
• How do you(they) approach your(their) role and, using examples, how have you(they) made a positive impact on the team and business? (350 words)
  

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry
[Anyone can nominate an individual who they believe to be deserving of this award]

This award recognises someone who has made a real contribution to the industry over a prolonged period of time, who has an accomplished career and is a consummate credit professional.

• Opening Statement - why do you believe they should win this award? (100 words)
• What has their career to date been and what are their outstanding qualities? (350 words)
  
• What have they achieved in their career that stands out as exceptional? (350 words)
  

Excellence in Credit Management

CICM Excellence in Credit Management status is the Chartered Institute of Credit Management’s highest accolade. The professional body awards this accreditation only to organisations that can demonstrate they meet specific challenging criteria as confirmed by the Institute’s Executive Board. Successful applicants will achieve Excellence in Credit Management for a period of 2 years from the date the accreditation is granted.

Organisations can apply for the award annually and up to 5 will be awarded at the British Credit Awards. Judging will be undertaken by members of the CICM Executive Board.