Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash with Top Service

Host: Emma Reilly (CEO of Top Service, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, and CICM Council Advisory Member) In the construction sector, waiting for a market correction isn't a strategy. With UK insolvencies ticking upward—and construction consistently accounting for roughly 17% of all company failures—business as usual won't protect your margins. In this month’s constr...

Leveraging the CICM for Better Credit Management Welcome to another episode of Minimize Debt, Maximize Cash with Top Service —the podcast dedicated to helping professionals in the construction industry maximize cash flow and minimize debt. In this episode, host Emma Reilly (CEO of Top Service and CICM Council Advisory Member) kicks off a special month-long focus dedicated to our valued partner, th...

Join  Emma Reilly FCICM ,  Philip King FCICM  (Non-Executive Director, Top Service), and  Simon Howell FCICM (Head of Credit Management at Tarmac) as they pull back the curtain on their popular industry webinars. They discuss why these sessions have become essential "survival tools" for credit professionals in the construction sector. What You’ll Learn: Adding "Color and Context&quo...

In this episode, Emma Reilly (CEO of Top Service) is joined by Rachel Brown of Saint-Gobain to discuss the transformative impact of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) on their professional lives. As senior leaders, they reflect on how the institute provides more than just qualifications—it provides a lifelong supportive network. What You’ll Learn: Elevating Your Profile:  How the...

Upskilling is the key to professional confidence. In this episode, Emma Reilly is joined by Alison Blower, Laura Humphries, and Rachel Symmonds to discuss their experiences completing the CICM Level 3 Credit Management Qualification. They share how formal training has transformed their ability to support Top Service members. What You’ll Learn: Mastering the Terminology:  Moving from "debt col...

Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Minimize Debt, Maximize Cash podcast. Host Emma Reilly —Top Service CEO, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), and CICM Council Advisory Member—delivers a critical briefing on the immediate external pressures currently shifting the UK construction landscape. While previous updates focused on long-term structural changes, June 2026 br...

How does a global leader in building materials manage credit risk in the UK’s most volatile sector? Emma Reilly welcomes Laura Brown, Finance Shared Service Center Director at Saint-Gobain, to discuss their 10-year partnership with Top Service. What You’ll Learn: Beyond Standard Reports  : Why Saint-Gobain relies on Top Service for "real-life" community intelligence that traditional cred...

In this special anniversary episode,  Emma Reilly  sits down with  Laura Humphries , Director of Customer Development at Top Service, to celebrate her incredible  10-year journey  with the company. Laura reflects on her transition from an entry-level role in debt recovery to a senior leadership position, all while balancing the rewarding challenges of motherhood. What You’ll Learn: Career Evolutio...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) Standard credit reports often rely on filed accounts that can be up to 21 months out of date. In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Reilly  explains why this data gap is dangerous and introduces the solution:  Tradi...

Welcome to the May 2026 edition of the  Minimize Debt, Maximize Cash  podcast. Host  Emma Reilly —Top Service CEO, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), and CICM Council Advisory Member—delivers a critical briefing on the "structural reset" currently transforming the UK construction sector. The landscape of construction credit is shifting rapidly. Relying on outd...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) Standard credit reports only tell half the story. In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Reilly  reveals the missing piece of the credit puzzle:  Insider Intelligence . When a new credit application lands on your des...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) One of the most frequent questions businesses ask before instructing a debt collector is:  "Can I claim the cost of using your service back from my debtor?" In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Reilly  is...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) In this season finale of the  Managing Retentions  mini-series,  Emma Reilly  (Top Service CEO) presents our panel of industry heavyweights giving their single most important piece of advice for credit professionals. Moderated by  Philip King , this...

Welcome to the April 2026 edition of the Minimize Debt, Maximize Cash podcast. Host Emma Reilly—Top Service CEO, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), and CICM Council Advisory Member—delivers a vital update on the UK construction landscape and the critical regulatory changes taking effect this month. In This Episode: As the industry moves into the second quarter of the ye...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) "I've done the work, so why aren't they paying?" It is the most frustrating question in construction. In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash ,  Emma Reilly  continues the October "At the Coalface" review, tackling the di...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) "If I don't sign it, I can't start work on Monday." It's the dilemma every subcontractor faces. In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash ,  Emma Reilly  brings you the next installment of the "Managing Retentions" webinar,...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) Retentions are often written off as "lost profit," but they don't have to be. In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash ,  Emma Reilly  continues the deep dive into managing retentions with actionable advice on how to successfully co...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Reilly  brings you key insights from the "Managing Retentions" webinar, featuring industry heavyweights  Philip King ,  Simon Howell  (Tarmac), and  Guiseppe Parla  (M...

Welcome to the March 2026 edition of the  Minimize Debt, Maximize Cash  podcast. Host  Emma Reilly —Top Service CEO, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM), and CICM Council Advisory Member—provides an essential briefing on the shifting economic landscape of the UK construction sector.  In This Episode: While official statistics suggest a slight decline in overall insolvenci...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) In this special anniversary episode,  Emma Reilly  sits down with  Shelley Tatlow  from the administration team to celebrate a significant milestone:  20 years at Top Service . Shelley reflects on her journey from a nervous new starter in a team of 1...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) In this final installment of the "At the Coalface" series,  Emma Reilly  (Top Service CEO) and an expert panel wrap up their industry review with essential advice for every credit manager. We distill 47 years of combined experience into &qu...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) Fraud is evolving, and the construction industry is a primary target. In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Reilly  revisits the "At the Coalface" review to tackle the growing threat of fraudulent practice...

As we move into 2026, the UK construction sector continues to operate in a uniquely challenging environment. Join  Emma Reilly , CEO of Top Service and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, as she breaks down the latest market intelligence and credit management strategies essential for protecting your business. In this episode, we analyze the shifting trends of late 2025—includin...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Reilly  continues the "At the Coalface" review, focusing on the critical art of  managing collections  in a volatile economic climate. Moderated by  Philip King , this...

Register for our newsletter for regular updates of events and webinars. https://www.top-service.co.uk/contact-us/ (newsletter link at bottom of page) In this episode of  Minimise Debt, Maximise Cash , Top Service CEO  Emma Riley  takes us back to the "At the Coalface" seminar for a critical discussion on the internal and external pressures facing credit teams in the construction industry...