The "Sixth Sense" of Credit Risk: A Testimonial from Saint-Gobain

The Power of Community: Being Part of the CICM (With Laura Brown of Saint-Gobain)

In this episode, Emma Reilly (CEO of Top Service) is joined by Rachel Brown of Saint-Gobain to discuss the transformative impact of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) on their professional lives. As senior leaders, they reflect on how the institute provides more than just qualifications—it provides a lifelong supportive network. What You’ll Learn: * Elevating Your Profile: How the CICM helps credit managers transition into senior leadership roles through professional recognition. * The Supportive Community: Why the "community spirit" of the CICM is vital for young professionals, especially women, navigating the industry. * Opening Doors: Laura’s story of how a Level 3 qualification was the specific catalyst that secured her interview and career at Saint-Gobain. * Shared Experience: The realization that "nobody is better than anybody else" when you engage with industry icons at branch events and "Credit Fest". Connect with Top Service:  🔗 Website:  www.top-service.co.uk 📞 Contact: 01527 518800 ✅ LinkedIn: Search "Top Service Limited" Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ Music by Purple Planet

Elevating Your Expertise: The CICM Level 3 Journey

Upskilling is the key to professional confidence. In this episode, Emma Reilly is joined by Alison Blower, Laura Humphries, and Rachel Symmonds to discuss their experiences completing the CICM Level 3 Credit Management Qualification. They share how formal training has transformed their ability to support Top Service members. What You’ll Learn: * Mastering the Terminology: Moving from "debt collector" slang to professional credit management language like DSO and Dunning cycles. * Empathy Through Understanding: How understanding the legal and financial pressures on credit managers allows for better member support. * Managing the Balance: Practical tips on balancing full-time work, family life, and professional studies. * The Reward of Resilience: The personal and professional "highs" of passing exams and applying new knowledge to real-world contract law and accounting principles. Connect with Top Service:  🔗 Website:  www.top-service.co.uk 📞 Contact: 01527 518800 ✅ LinkedIn: Search "Top Service Limited" Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ Music by Purple Planet

June 2026 Construction Industry Update - Beware the Trump Factor

Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Minimize Debt, Maximize Cash podcast. Host Emma Reilly—Top Service CEO, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), and CICM Council Advisory Member—delivers a critical briefing on the immediate external pressures currently shifting the UK construction landscape. While previous updates focused on long-term structural changes, June 2026 brings a "fresh wave of challenges" that demand immediate agility from credit teams. Emma breaks down the "Trump Factor," fuel instability, and the rising burden of late payment debt. * The Trump Factor: Discover how recent and anticipated actions from the US are creating a ripple effect of uncertainty in global trade and pricing. * Energy & Fuel Instability: Current fluctuations in fuel costs are putting immediate pressure on logistics-heavy construction firms, further squeezing razor-thin margins. * The £26 Billion Debt Burden: UK SMEs are currently carrying record levels of late payment debt, with construction firms bearing the heaviest part of this burden. * Payment Performance Stats: Emma shares alarming new data showing that 76% of private sector clients and 49% of public sector clients are now exceeding 30-day payment terms. * Don't Wait for 60 Days: Emma advises shaking up normal processes—don't wait for the 60-day mark to act on overdue accounts. * Lead with "Boots on the Ground" Data: Move away from outdated credit reports and utilize real-time trading experiences to lead your credit control. * Managing the Admin Spike: As firms implement surcharges to offset rising costs, expect a spike in invoice queries. Emma explains how Top Service helps ensure that while your workload increases, your aged debt does not. Connect with Top Service: * LinkedIn: Search "Top Service Limited" * Web: www.top-service.co.uk [https://www.top-service.co.uk]

The "Sixth Sense" of Credit Risk: A Testimonial from Saint-Gobain

How does a global leader in building materials manage credit risk in the UK’s most volatile sector? Emma Reilly welcomes Laura Brown, Finance Shared Service Center Director at Saint-Gobain, to discuss their 10-year partnership with Top Service. What You’ll Learn: * Beyond Standard Reports : Why Saint-Gobain relies on Top Service for "real-life" community intelligence that traditional credit agencies miss. * Early Warning Systems: How proactive alerts on changing trading patterns have helped Saint-Gobain mitigate risk and avoid significant losses. * An Extension of the Team: Why Saint-Gobain views Top Service not just as a service provider, but as a seamless extension of their internal credit control function. * The Power of Collaboration: The value of having a team of 50+ experts gathering "up-to-the-minute" trading data on your behalf. Connect with Top Service:  🔗 Website:  www.top-service.co.uk 📞 Contact: 01527 518800 ✅ LinkedIn: Search "Top Service Limited" Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ Music by Purple Planet

10 Years of Growth: A Milestone Conversation with Laura Humphries

In this special anniversary episode, Emma Reilly sits down with Laura Humphries, Director of Customer Development at Top Service, to celebrate her incredible 10-year journey with the company. Laura reflects on her transition from an entry-level role in debt recovery to a senior leadership position, all while balancing the rewarding challenges of motherhood. What You’ll Learn: * Career Evolution: How Laura moved from "sitting on the phones" to directing customer development. * The Top Service Culture: Why the "family community" and supportive network have kept Laura inspired for a decade. * Personal Growth: Laura’s insights on being proud of your journey and the importance of asking questions when starting out. * Client Relationships: The shift from seeing customers as "jobs" to seeing them as partners and friends. Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) To enquire about Top Service services for your Business, go to https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ Music by Purple Planet