Judging panel

The Debt Collection Awards will be judged by a panel of experts from the industry. The winners and shortlist for each category are voted for democratically to ensure the views of all the judges are taken into consideration. Click on each judge below to view their industry experience.

Judging panel chair: Leigh Berkley

chief executive officer / vice president
Tessera Group / Credit Services Association

Leigh Berkley is the chief executive officer of leading collection agency and debt purchaser Tessera Group. He has recently changed his roles as chair of the Debt Buyers and Sellers Group and treasurer of the Credit Services Association to become vice president of the Credit Services Association, while continuing to represent the Association in public affairs. Leigh is also a member of the Institute of Credit Management and the prestigious International Collectors Group.

 

Leigh graduated from Manchester University in 1982, and after qualifying as a chartered accountant in the City in 1985, he joined US Law Firm Sidley & Austin, reporting directly to Schuyler Henderson, one of the inventors of currency and interest rate swaps.

 

In 1989, after a period with bond traders Barnes & Co, he joined Tarlo Lyons Solicitors as finance director. In 1990 he was instrumental in the firm’s acquisition of the HSBC debt recovery operation in Southend-on-Sea, and in 1993, he became chief executive officer of the business, which then became Tessera Group in 1998 after a successful MBO led by Leigh.

 

Leigh takes a very active part in the industry through his positions on the Board of the Credit Services Association and the Debt Buyers and Sellers Group, of which he was elected chair in 2007. As a result of consistent engagement with government, regulators and other stakeholders, Leigh has played a leading role in representing the industry, while constantly promoting best practice, data accuracy, self-regulation and international co-operation in credit.

Sara de Tute

president
Credit Services Association

Having spent a number of years in private practice as a litigation lawyer, Sara joined Wescot Credit Services in 2003 and is now Wescot’s legal and compliance director. In 2008, she was appointed to the board of directors of the Credit Services Association (CSA) with responsibility for the compliance portfolio. As part of her role, she meets regularly with the credit industry regulators, responds to consultation papers, sits on a number of strategic working parties and is key in helping to shape the compliance strategy for the CSA and its members. Sara is also the current president of the CSA. She regularly produces articles for the industry press and is often called upon for comments on regulatory and compliance issues.

Brian Havercroft

chairman
Civil Court Users' Association

Brian Havercroft is a legal executive, high court services director at Marston Group and chairman of the Civil Court Users Association. He has over 40 years experience in the law and has been involved with the Association since its formation 23 years ago; more recently as chairman of the legal & technical committee for 6 years and then 3 years as the Association’s vice chairman.

Brian is currently secretary of the Enforcement Law Reform Group and is also a former member of the fees consultative panel of the Civil Justice Council. His ambition before he retires is to see a court service that is fair to both creditors and debtors, but he really doesn’t want to work another 50 years!

Martin Leyshon

group director
High Court Enforcement Group

Martin was appointed as sheriff’s officer for Glamorgan & Powys in 1995. He also obtained shrievalty appointments in Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Hereford & Worcester. In 2004, he received an appointment from the Lord Chancellor as a high court enforcement officer for England and Wales.

Martin sits as vice chairman of the High Court Enforcement Officers’ Association and he previously held the post of its disciplinary chairman. He is a member of the Enforcement Services Association, serving on its executive council. He is also joint head of the National Eviction Team.

First certificated in 1990, Martin sits on various working parties dealing with standards and professionalism within the enforcement profession. 

Kamala Panday

publisher
Credit Today

Kamala is the publisher of Credit Today and began the magazine in 1999, bringing a range of other credit products to market including the Credit Summit and Credit Today Awards. A journalist by training, she is a trustee of the financial education charity, Credit Action, and is a freeman of the Guild of Stationers and Newspapermakers.

Chris Rothwell

sales director
Tracesmart

Following a successful career within the financial services industry, Chris left HBOS to join Tracesmart as a professional tracer. His business foresight, along with the vast experience he’s gained whist working with the collections industry, has enabled Tracesmart to develop their range of services and offer tailored collections solutions. A member of Tracesmart’s board, as well as heading up the sales division, Chris’s perceptive insight into data management has helped Tracesmart grow from humble beginnings into an ever-expanding company which provides industry leading services.