Court Enforcement Services celebrates 4 Year Anniversary
Court Enforcement Services is celebrating its 4th year and highlights some of the company’s impressive achievements during this period.
Early ISO Accreditation & GDPR Compliance
Launched in June 2014, within 6 months of trading the company was able to show evidence to British Standards Institute (BSI), that its Quality Management System, and Information Security Management System, met the requirements for certification to the ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2013 respectively. Court Enforcement Services Limited was then able to show continued compliance and improvement, throughout external surveillance visits over the next three years, gaining recertification to both standards in 2017, after full external audits for both management systems.
Russ Poulter, Director responsible for compliance and management systems said, as a growing business it is important to ensure that you document what you do in a manner that enables the scalability associated with rapid growth. Creating a culture from start-up that met the requirements of the ISO standards was a big enabler in the journey. The willingness for staff to own their processes has helped significantly, particularly with the regular updating of policies and procedures by those that carry out the function, in clear language, to reflect changes made as the business and client needs evolved.
Having accreditation to ISO 27001:2013 by the premier accrediting body (BSI), gave us a head start with regards to compliance with the General data Protection Regulations (GDPR), with changes and improvements needed to meet it being identified early last year and programmed. This meant that we were GDPR compliant by the live date in May 2018.
Performance Driven Growth – Market Leading Position
The company has focused on providing an exceptional service to existing clients while it continues to expand its share of its core markets – High Court and Commercial Property (Civil Law) enforcement. It is recognised as the fastest growing High Court enforcement service provider. Court Enforcement Services in the last calendar year was ranked as third largest*, and the company has high hopes of improving its position further this year. (*Based on the Ministry of Justice report for High Court Writ Volumes).
The company has attracted new clients as it can demonstrate that its collection performance remains consistently above more traditional enforcement companies. In the last 12 months, Court Enforcement Services has collected £45million on behalf of their clients.
Key Appointments, Acquisition
Forward planning to facilitate growth in an orderly manner has seen several key appointments. In Spring 2016, Daron Robinson was promoted to join Court Enforcement Services senior management board as Operations Director. He represents Client Services and Operations on the board in relation to senior management strategy and key decision making.
From early 2017 Daren Simcox took on the mantle of sole Managing Director to focus on the company’s operations and commercial direction. Frank Millerick moved from Joint Managing Director to become Group Chairman and provide leadership to the Board of Directors, alongside business strategy and compliance.
This year has seen further appointments. To strengthen existing client relationships and acquire new business, Michael Whitaker was recently appointed as Head of Business Development to work alongside Director, Wayne Whitford. Adele Whitehurst also joined Wayne’s team as Client Account Manager. This team operates in fusion with High Court Client Services Manager, Claire Brimson and Jodie Martinelli, who oversees all the restructured Business Administration and Services Teams.
The senior management team recognised that during a period of fast growth, that consistency of service and compliance of the company’s High Court Enforcement services are critical. Alan Smith therefore joined the company and is responsible for all High Court enforcement compliance. Alan has since been reappointed to the Board of the High Court Enforcement Officers Association. He also has a role within the Association’s Complaints Board.
Alan will be working with two other very experienced and respected Authorised High Court Enforcement Officers; Simon Williamson and Malcolm Davies. Simon Williamson was the first Authorised High Court Enforcement Officer the company appointed. Malcolm Davies joined the company when Court Enforcement Services Limited (CESL) acquired Elliott Davies, a North East High Court Enforcement company in July 2016. Elliott Davies is a trading style of CESL and is based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Its offices now also houses Court Enforcement Services expanded national CCJ Transfer Up operation.
Court Enforcement Services’s head office itself relocated in early 2017 to newly refurbished offices in Essex. Three times the size of their previous premises, these offices provide the space and additional resources needed in delivering an excellent service and facilitate the next stage of growth.
Transparency via Innovation – Award-Winning App
The company’s founding principles are, offering a fresh approach to working with clients, being flexible to provide tailored solutions and enhanced transparency to build trusted partnerships. With these goals in mind, Court Enforcement Services made a significant investment in-house and developed a bespoke technology – the innovative Enforcement Agent’s App. Daron Robinson, Operations Director, leads this project. The App helps clients and Enforcement Agents to have access to all case information in real time, so ensuring complete transparency for all parties. The App has since won the Best Use of Credit Technology category, at the Chartered Institute of Credit Management’s British Credit Awards 2018 and the Best Use of Technology at the U&T Awards 2016 (Utilities & Telecoms).
Training – Vulnerable Debtors
In 2017 Court Enforcement Services gained recognition by the Certificated Enforcement Agents Association (CEAA). It was also one of the first companies to put all their back-office staff through training on the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (TCEA), with a CEAA approved trainer. Both Court Enforcement Services and the CEAA, aim to raise the standards of compliance in the execution of Warrants and High Court Writs of Control under TCEA 2007 and related legislation. This improved understanding has also been of benefit to our clients.
The training of the operational and client services teams has included a module on the management of cases that involve vulnerable debtors. The flow of information captured by the Enforcement Agent’s App has an alert to flag vulnerable debtors for clients, Enforcement Agents and support staff. Together these key elements ensure that vulnerable debtors are managed in an appropriate and ethical manner.
The Future
Commenting on the 4 year anniversary of the company, Daren Simcox, Managing Director, said, “We have already achieved many milestones in the past 4 years. Our underlying strategy continues to be, that the company gains industry recognition as the centre of excellence, for enforcement of High Court Writs and Commercial Services. Innovation, strong financial performance, and high levels of customer service will help us deliver on this promise. Innovation is deeply embedded in the DNA of Court Enforcement Services. It applies not only to the investment we are making in technology and services but to the development of our teams.
On behalf of Court Enforcement Services, I would like to thank our clients for their business, and our excellent staff and Enforcement Agents for their support and professionalism. Without them we would not have achieved this incredible result so quickly. The future is truly exciting and looking ahead, we have very ambitious plans which should generate further success for our company and above all, for our clients”.
