Our People
Richard Moore | Karen McElhinney | Bernard | Bill | Sharen | Steve | Laura | Kate
Richard
Founder and director of The Collection Company
Richard has had wide ranging experience in business enterprises. He has been involved in the building industry and property investment, and in the insurance industry, both in sales and as South Island manager. He has owned a seafood processing factory and two retail outlets, and been part-owner of a food wholesaler.
Professional Links: Member of New Zealand Collectors Association, Member of Canterbury Manufacturers Association, Member of Canterbury Employers Chamber Of Commerce.
Richard's experience demonstrates that he knows the business of being in business, the demands and the rewards. That's why he set up The Collection Company,says.
"That's why we belong to the New Zealand Collectors Association and why we are pushing for stronger controls on this industry."
Karen
As business manager and legal manager of The Collection Company Karen needs a range of skills – good communication, an eye for detail, interest in people, knowledge of legal issues, experience with a wide range of business situations and good time management. Her career to date has ensured that she has developed these skills. As a former assistant accountant at Carter Holt Harvey Tissue, then office manager for its sales division, Karen gained a strong understanding of corporate requirements. She has also learnt firsthand how smaller businesses operate, having been an assistant manager for a holiday park.
Karen not only supervises but also manages the court documentation and processes of debt recovery, ensuring clients are kept informed of progress throughout.
"It's important to build relationships with our clients, so that we can get the best results for them, and as part of that, I need to have a good understanding of them and their requirements."
Bernard
Contact with debtors is central to Bernard's role. which is multi-faceted and an important part of the whole debt recovery chain.
His inquiring mind and lateral thinking are real assets in this job as finding debtors who may have moved house or locality forms part of the job. Bernard also serves legal documents on behalf of clients, acting as a third-party.
Having worked in the commercial sector in management and in credit control, Bernard has an excellent knowledge of the challenges and problems clients can face in debt recovery. He has worked with The Collection Company since 1992, and has seen the company grow and change in that time.
"People are the most important part of the job, and my greatest satisfaction is dealing with people and coming up with the results they require."
Bill
Clients who require assistance in debt recovery talk to Bill first. Once Bill has established a client's requirements he ensures that the appropriate processes are promptly put in place and acted upon.
Many years of personal business ownership and sales experience have enhanced Bill's understanding of the Creditor/Debtor relationship. His people skills have been further developed by personal experience in both industry and the Health and Disability sector.
"Understanding clients' needs and how their business operates and having personal contact with them are crucial to achieving positive results."
Sharen
Sharen has a liaison role. Working for years in the debt recovery industry has given her a lot of experience to draw on. She works to meet the needs of the clients by negotiating with the debtors.
Because she has worked right on the front line of debt collection, Sharen knows the frustrations companies deal with when it comes to debt recovery. It is for this reason that she is ideal to assist clients in developing and implementing good systems and processes that minimise those frustrations.
"If I can work with our clients right at the start, we achieve a better outcome."
Steve
Efficient administration is a key to the success of the business. Steve is the driver in this area for The Collection Company, being responsible for the accounts payable/receivable and handling recovered debts and their payment to clients.
Steve has worked in administration roles within a major New Zealand company. He has developed excellent communication skills through call centre experience
"I find it satisfying working in a role where my efficiency is essential for smooth conclusions to transactions between clients and debtors."
Laura
Laura works across all areas of the business, in particular making good use of her ability to work directly with people in any situation.
Clients on the phone talk to Laura first. Her tasks are to ascertain the clients' requirements, or put information together for disputes.
Laura previously worked in the food retail sector, and was promoted to a supervisory role there because she showed she could work constructively with people.
"I enjoy coming to work because everyone works together as a team and the work itself is interesting and provides challenge."
Kate
Having the right documentation is one of the key requirements for successful debt collection. This is where Kate's role is indispensable to both The Collection Company and the clients.
Kate's retail experience has given her a strong understanding of credit management and therefore an excellent insight into client requirements.
"There may not be many people who can say this, but I do enjoy working with our clients and knowing that when they use the right credit systems they are going to have a better result."