Credit association scours channel for members

Newly launched ICTF aims to provide up-to-date and global information to members

Nick Tiltman: Never been a more important time for credit professionals to be on top of their game

VARs and distributors are being invited to join a new credit association that has the backing of industry heavyweights such as Euler Hermes, Atradius, Coface and Graydon.

The International Credit Management & Trade Fin­ance Association (ICTF) boasts Computer 2000’s former credit supremo Nick Tiltman on its board, and will arm members with research and information on pressing credit issues. It is also planning two conferences – one in Brussels and one in the US – to encourage networking.

Founders of the organisation have reached an agreement with credit-to-cash services and technology firm Smyyth Networks to supply its members with access to the newly created ICTF Global Credit Network. They will receive in-depth trade credit information, trade referen­c­es, payment scores and industry and country benchmarking.

Speaking to CRN, Tiltman, whose consultancy Europ­eanPlus is a founding member, said: “There are some pretty good credit forums in the IT sector already, but this will provide up-to-date and global information to all our members through the ICTF network. We are aiming for members from a cross-section of industries to get a broad view of the credit arena.

“There has never been a more important time for credit and finance professionals to be on top of their game,” he added.

Nick King, managing director of VAR Apex Systems, said: “The key thing for resellers is to ensure regular dialogue with distributors over credit and keep them informed of your strategies and plans as they are in essence the second line of banking, particularly as credit insurance is very difficult to come by. I would certainly not rule out looking at this kind of organisation at some point.”