Kevin Hellard, President

Hi everyone. I was sorry to miss those who attended the Manchester Roadshow on 30 September. Covid having finally caught up with me, I was unable to attend. I know that CEO Paul Smith did a fine job of standing in and delivering the introduction to the day. Thankfully I have been vaccinated and my illness passed within a week, so I am back in action and looking forward to meeting members at our upcoming events.

Some readers may have met my fellow office holders, our Vice-President Samantha Keen, at the Leeds Roadshow on 14 October; and Immediate Past President Carrie James at the recent Cardiff event. Samantha is soon to become President once my term is up in April next year. I believe great days were had, and I thank those who have given us great feedback on these events so far. Many thanks indeed to our venue sponsors for Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff, Debt Movement, StepChange and Capital Law respectively.

Five down, two to go – we’re soon to be in Birmingham and then finally London. If you’re planning to join us in London, remember that you can book for this event and our exciting 60th Anniversary Reception (happening that evening) with a combined discounted ticket. Read more about this on the booking page for either event. I will be hosting both the London Roadshow and Anniversary Reception. I am honoured to be President in the IPA’s 60th year and I look forward to a strong turnout at the Reception.  

Group booking discounts are also available for both the celebration event and the hotly-anticipated Personal Insolvency Conference. Again, the booking pages for each event contain all the info.

I’m sure that many are looking forward to a return to an in-person Personal Insolvency Conference, hosted at the excellent Lowry Hotel. As ever, we will bring you the latest in the sector from different angles and with an enviable range of speakers. The bill (full list to be announced) includes Dean Beale, CEO of the Insolvency Service, along with more exciting speakers that we will be able to share with you soon!

Moving on to our exams, just a reminder that the CPI and CPPI past papers from June 2021 are now available on our website, in the Training and Exams section under the relevant headings (Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency and Certificate of Proficiency in Personal Insolvency). All the very best to November’s cohort of Students in both the CPI and JIE!

And finally, now that renewals are underway, and with the new deadline of 30 November for appointment takers, I would strongly recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. It is a quick and easy process with our new automated system, and a timely renewal will ensure that you receive your new licence in good time before the start of the Christmas break.

Kevin