The enforcement sector gathered for the Civil Enforcement Association’s (CIVEA) biennial conference. The event was held under the banner of A Turning Point for Enforcement.
Each year, civil enforcement agents recover around £1 billion of unpaid debt in England and Wales.This money goes towards funding public services, including schools, libraries, adult and children’s care and road repairs, yet research has shown a worrying rise in attacks on and abuse of enforcement agents. The event included industry awards.
Leicestershire-based enforcement agency Rundles was a big winner on the night, taking home five awards for Team of the Year, Training and Development Initiative, Outstanding Back-Office Employee and Outstanding Enforcement Agent, while Woman in Enforcement went to the company’s Managing Director Amy Collins.
Hambury Tilmond picked up two awards – for Innovation and Technology in Enforcement Award Applications and Local Authority Partnership – with one each for Equivo (Best Vulnerable Support) and Whipps Enforcement Agents (Apprentice Newcomer of the Year).
Russell Hamblin-Boone, Chief Executive of CIVEA, the trade body representing about 95 per cent of civil enforcement agencies and agents across England and Wales, is pictured. He said afterwards that the awards were a brilliant celebration of the “diverse, innovative and forward-thinking enforcement agencies in England and Wales”.
He added: “It was wonderful to see so many people from different sectors come together to honour the work of civil enforcement agents and their employers at such a challenging time for our industry. We had excellent feedback from conference attendees, with delegates saying they had learned more about the enforcement process council clients had valuable information to inform their operations.
“Huge congratulations to all of the award winners, which proved that the enforcement sector is delivering high quality service with community impact, strengthening welfare support and, preventing escalation for vulnerable residents, while redefining enforcement as a public service delivered with professionalism.”
In presenting Rundles with the Team of the Year award, the judging panel said: “Development and retention is a real strength, with a team-first focus at the heart of everything Rundles does.” Amy Collins said she was “incredibly honoured” to win the award for Women in Enforcement on such a momentous day for her company.
The day opened with a welcome from Hamblin-Boone and a keynote from Prof Crispian Fuller of Cardiff University, on the evolving economic and geographic context shaping public services and enforcement activity. Delegates then heard an industry update from outgoing CIVEA President Sarah Naylor.
A theme for the conference was the role of technology and data in improving enforcement outcomes. The first panel session, chaired by Amy Collins, examined how digital tools and artificial intelligence can support the delivery of Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) standards.
Speakers highlighted the importance of better data sharing, stronger partnerships and more effective engagement strategies to reduce misinterpretation and ensure appropriate interventions for the public.
In a session chaired by Edd Moore of Marston Holdings, industry figures explored how civil enforcement can prepare for statutory regulation. Discussions focused on the need for proportionate oversight, clear governance structures and a collaborative approach to shaping the future role and powers of the ECB. There were observations from within and outside the sector with advice on the impact of principles-based regulation.
Hosted by BBC presenter Shari Vahl, a third panel highlighted how enforcement activity supports communities and upholds the rule of law. Contributions emphasised tackling persistent evasion, strengthening welfare interventions, improving agent safety and reinforcing partnerships between creditors and enforcement firms.
A final session, an industry ‘Question Time’, brought together senior figures from across the sector to debate the challenges ahead and to debunk myths and public misconceptions around the civil enforcement process. Topics included barriers to collection, procurement practices, recycling policies, social value considerations and opportunities for closer collaboration between local authorities and enforcement providers. The conference closed with remarks from Amy Collins on the importance of continued innovation, professionalism and partnership across the sector.
Visit www.civea.co.uk.
