On 17th June 2025, professionals from across the credit management and accounts payable communities gathered at the Hays offices in Birmingham for the highly anticipated CICM / APA Conference. Hosted in collaboration by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) and the Accounts Payable Association (APA), the event brought together leading experts, thought leaders, and industry practitioners to share insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore the future of AR & AP in an evolving economic landscape. Special thanks to the event sponsors, Hays, Esker & Aveiroe.
With a packed agenda also featuring expert speakers, interactive sessions, and valuable networking opportunities, the conference served as a dynamic platform for innovation, collaboration, and professional development. Whether you’re a seasoned credit manager, an aspiring finance professional, or simply interested in how the credit industry is adapting to new challenges, this blog will take you through the key highlights and takeaways from a day of inspiration and insight in Birmingham.
The conference began with a powerful joint address from Jamie Radford, CEO of the Accounts Payable Association and Sue Chapple FCICM, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management. Together, they set the tone for the day by emphasising the critical importance of collaboration between the credit and accounts payable communities. Their message was clear: in a rapidly changing economic landscape, bringing these two worlds together is not only beneficial—it’s essential for building stronger, but more agile organisations.
Liz Barclay, UK Small Business Commissioner, started with an update on the Fair Payment Code. Since its relaunch in December 2024, the code has already begun to… [Click here to read CICM’s full story]
Whitepaper: Late Payment Reform in 2026 The Government’s proposed late payment reforms could mark one of the biggest changes to supplier payment practices in decades and AP/P2P leaders will be at the centre of it. From potential 60-day payment caps to stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner, the expectations around payment governance, supplier fairness, […]
Read more
Compliance is Key What is this webinar about? The Government’s proposed late payment reforms could mark one of the biggest changes to supplier payment practices in decades and AP/P2P leaders will be at the centre of it. From potential 60-day payment caps to stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner, the expectations around payment governance, […]
APA Industry Benchmarking Report 2026 Understanding the evolving landscape of Accounts Payable (AP) is critical to strengthening the profession and ensuring it remains resilient in the face of change. This year’s Accounts Payable Industry Benchmarking Report offers a comprehensive view of the sector, drawing insight from AP professionals across more than 15 industries. Their input […]
Read more