CCR2 Commercial Credit Management


The glass ceiling – a call to arms


Credit professionals must not wait for more authority to be given to them, but should speak out to require it


David Thornley Group credit controller, Fort Vale Engineering DThornley@fortvale.com


When it comes to the corporate ladder, we, in the credit profession, all too often find ourselves charged with holding it steady, whilst others ascend. Frustrating is it not? And we should not


put up with it. That we do is largely down to a tendency towards discreet virtues such as loyalty, diligence, and professionalism.


consideration, or is it the instinct of the board to leave her or him right where they are?


Range of skills There are some amongst us who, through commitment, energy, strength of personality, and hard work, have risen to the summit of their organisations, or have been recruited to


beneath a bushel, waiting for an invitation – which may never come – to deploy it. None of this is the fault of our bosses, or


our bosses’ bosses; they already have enough to deal with and a well-functioning credit department that gets on with the job with discreet competence is manna from heaven; one less thing to bother about.


Eventually, this will lead to more credit professionals being recognised at senior levels – star players, if you like – role models for those just starting out on their careers in credit to aspire to. Let us make a concerted effort to shatter the glass ceiling


Ready to stand up But, unless we, in the credit profession, are prepared to stand up and assert ourselves, that nagging sense of injustice, that victim mentality, will not dissipate. Of course, I readily acknowledge that some


of us – many of us – work for organisations which invest in training and career development, offer support for study, and are committed to best practice. My tirade is not aimed at them, except to pose the question: once you have a credit manager installed, where does he or she go next? When an opening at executive level arises, does the credit manager receive due


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senior positions with another company; to those of you, I would ask that you share your journey and describe pitfalls and challenges you have encountered along the way. Credit professionals have a range of skills


that are to the benefit of their organisations, over and above the chasing of overdue debts. To perform our roles effectively, it is important that we are aware of every aspect of relationships with our customers, and the wider economic, commercial, and political landscape in which we operate. This is of great value to the policy-makers


within our organisations. We possess this, yet all too often we keep it hidden deep


www.CCRMagazine.co.uk No, my brother and sister professionals, it


is incumbent on us all to raise our profiles as individuals and the profession as a whole, not through crass boasting, or impertinent entreaties; but by holding conversations with those in charge, voicing our opinions, showing them what we know and what we can offer over and above our everyday duties. Eventually, this will lead to more credit


professionals being recognised at senior levels – star players, if you like – role models for those just starting out on their careers in credit to aspire to. Let us make a concerted effort to shatter the glass ceiling which confines us, we can do this! CCR2


April 2017


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