NEWS...
Operationally Speaking
Compliance and regulators are still consuming much of the DBSG's time, growing quite disproportionately.
However, we are on top of this work, constantly looking at the aspects of legislation and consultations that could give our members the most concern and seeing how we can help overcome this.
Overseeing this important area of work here at HQ is Claire Aynsley and her team. Claire's role has grown immensely since she was appointed Membership and Compliance Manager in August last year. Claire's enthusiasm (what - for compliance work? Unbelievable isn't it!), her dedication and efforts have greatly contributed to the enhanced standing of the Association with our main regulators.
To reflect the impact Claire has had in this area and to stress the importance of the post, I am pleased to announce that Claire has been promoted to Head of Membership & Compliance.
...And staying with regulators and compliance, a new regulator for our industry is potentially on the horizon: the Security Industry Authority (SIA).
The SIA is looking at potentially licensing investigators, which could include all the individual tracers employed by our industry. This would of course present a huge problem and considerable costs.
We have met with the SIA to outline to them that tracing in our industry does not mean investigation in the accepted sense, but is work that is contingent and subject to the main activity of securing payment of debts. The SIA consultation is fresh and ongoing.
...And staying with tracing, some of you will know that we are preparing a new trace code for members.
This is to counter growing concerns by regulators, the public and the media over "scattergun" tracing and mis-tracing.
The new code should be a trailblazer, that is to say, something that is considered by regulators as the definitive best practice code that they themselves can look to as model guidance, should they wish to draft their own (as happened with the OFT collection guidance, which was very much modelled on the CSA code of practice).
In order to achieve this objective we have already met with the Information Commissioner (ICO) and we are due to meet shortly with the OFT.
We have also had a meeting with the three Credit Reference Bureaux to ensure that they can support our best practice aims. Launch of the new trace code is set for the annual conference 17th and 18th September at the Forest of Pines, North Lincolnshire.
by Kurt Obermaier
Executive Director, CSA and DBSG
Original article courtesy of DBSG. For further information visit www.dbsg-uk.com.
