WEBVTT
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00:00:03.017Hi and welcome back to the Money Advice Liaison Group podcast,
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00:00:05.717working together to improve the lives of people in debt.
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00:00:10.877I'm Helen Gill, founding director of marketing communications consultancy Engage Comms
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00:00:12.417and hosts of the Malg podcast.
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00:00:16.177If you work in any capacity across the debt landscape in the UK,
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00:00:20.117listen in during your lunch break, on your commute or whenever you have some
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00:00:24.897downtime for inspiring insights into how collaboration and working smarter can
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00:00:28.597overcome the barriers to a fairer, better system for those in financial difficulty.
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00:00:32.977For this episode, Malg CEO Bob Winnington and I have come to the London office
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00:00:36.777of Dukes Bailiffs, one of the UK's most progressive enforcement firms.
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00:00:39.997For the first time, we're sitting down with not one guest, but three -
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00:00:44.717sisters Laura Naylor, Sarah Naylor and Zoe Naylor - to explore how a family-run
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00:00:47.857business has evolved into a sector leader known for innovation,
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00:00:50.477ethical practice and a people-centred approach.
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00:00:54.797Laura is Marketing Director of Dukes. She's been with the firm for over 10 years
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00:00:56.617and moved to her current role five years ago.
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00:00:59.877She's led the business through a period of significant modernisation,
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00:01:01.737championing ethical enforcement,
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00:01:07.317digital transformation and a culture built on accountability and care. Sarah's the sales director,
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00:01:10.957driving modern enforcement strategies at Dukes to maximise revenue for local
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00:01:14.857authorities through innovation and customer-centric solutions. She's also the
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00:01:18.877president of the Civil Enforcement Association (CIVEA) and chair of Women in
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00:01:19.757Revenues & Enforcement,
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00:01:24.397Zoe, HR and operations director, leads on the people-centred approach,
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00:01:28.017synonymous with the Dukes' culture. After completing a psychology degree,
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00:01:32.057she gained valuable HR experience elsewhere before joining her parents' company
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00:01:36.157alongside her younger sisters six and a half years ago. As long-standing MALG
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00:01:38.717members, the Dukes trio share how collaboration,
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00:01:42.637vulnerability-aware practice and a commitment to continuous improvement have
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00:01:46.277shaped their journey This conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look
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00:01:50.717at leadership, culture and transformation in a sector that is still very much
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00:01:52.737misunderstood So let's get started.
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00:01:58.069Well, this is a very, very special podcast that we're going to kickstart today.
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00:02:03.209All the podcasts we've done so far in the Malg range have been one-to-one.
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00:02:07.709Today, I have the pleasure of three guests on the podcast.
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00:02:12.549So we've got Laura, Sarah, and Zoe Naylor from Dukes Bailiffs,
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00:02:15.469and absolutely delighted to see the three of you here today.
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00:02:20.629And I want to try and explore and find out and tease a little bit of information
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00:02:25.449about you individually and also about Dukes as well and the fine work that you do.
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00:02:30.709So I think we'll kick start with a question for all of you which is firstly
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00:02:36.389how did you find your way into the industry and when did you realise that you
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00:02:41.509were in a position to shape how the industry and your organisation was going
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00:02:45.409to evolve rather than simply just work in it. So Laura let's start with you.
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00:02:49.709Yeah it's a good question. So obviously the business was started and founded
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00:02:52.069by our parents, Colin and Elaine Naylor.
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00:02:56.769So for me personally, kind of as far back as I can remember,
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00:02:59.789it's always been a goal of mine to join the family business.
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00:03:04.149You know, growing up, we vaguely knew what they did. And it was only really
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00:03:07.349at secondary school, I think that we realised, or I certainly realised that
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00:03:10.609it wasn't necessarily the norm for your parents to work together,
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00:03:13.689or it wasn't the norm for your parents to necessarily run their own business.
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00:03:16.589So I think that's what inspired me to want to join, join them.
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00:03:21.789And then that inspiration, I guess, kind of shaped my career choices at kind
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00:03:24.589of secondary school that, you know, coming out of university,
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00:03:27.829I could come straight into a career at Dukes.
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00:03:30.429It was kind of a little bit of a funny story, really.
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00:03:34.369Like I say, it was definitely the goal and aspiration I had.
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00:03:39.809So during my university degree, on the third year, you had to do a year in placement.
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00:03:43.069And I approached mum and dad and said, we can do a year in placement.
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00:03:47.629I'd love to work at Dukes. And mum's first reaction and initial reaction, no.
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00:03:52.506She was like, no, you should go somewhere else, get some experience somewhere
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00:03:56.146else. And I was gutted, but I did. I went to Toyota.
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00:04:00.346I moved to Surrey and I had a year in placement there. I actually did HR,
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00:04:02.466but I loved it. It was great.
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00:04:05.946I learned some really key, valuable things there. And then, yeah,
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00:04:11.506two years on, finished, graduated university and I joined the family business. That's how I got into it.
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00:04:16.466Sarah's story is a little bit different. Yeah so i didn't
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00:04:19.206naturally know that I wanted to go into the family
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00:04:22.606business it kind of fell into it as my understanding
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00:04:25.746of most people in the enforcement sector fall into the enforcement sector
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00:04:28.746it was never really quite planned but so I did a Law
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00:04:31.926Degree at university completed that and then
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00:04:35.066Laura and I did some interrailing a few weeks of interrailing afterwards
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00:04:38.406which brought us back to our graduation ceremony
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00:04:41.486which I think was a Monday and the
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00:04:44.226Tuesday after so the day after graduation mum says right
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00:04:46.806you can because i didn't have a job at that time i didn't know if i
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00:04:50.326wanted to go into into law or something different so
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00:04:52.966mum said well you can work for us you know you're living at home you need to
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00:04:55.566play board so you can work for us and earn some money in the
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00:04:58.646meantime and so we have just kind of stayed there since
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00:05:02.206we've gone into different roles and yeah really found
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00:05:05.046my way. Yeah yeah excellent and Zoe how
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00:05:07.886about you mine out of all three of us was probably
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00:05:10.666more of a conscious choice a conscious choice to join at
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00:05:14.446the time not to join the business I suppose I moved
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00:05:17.546to London after I'd done my psychology degree moved for
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00:05:21.006circumstances with my then partner and straight
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00:05:24.106out of psychology kind of naturally fell into HR again not
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00:05:26.886really the plan didn't think I would ever end up in HR but here we
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00:05:33.106are and I worked for a global company and was working my way up doing well, five
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00:05:38.446and a half years later it sort of fell in line with we were thinking about getting
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00:05:41.926a London office so I was thinking right okay well there might be some scope
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00:05:44.246for me to return at some point knowing that I'm probably not going to move back
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00:05:49.158to Stone anytime soon so the business was growing well it
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00:05:51.938also then kind of opened up that we needed
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00:05:55.078to build out more of a standalone HR function and
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00:05:57.878that's where I then thought well there's probably an opportunity for me
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00:06:01.718to move away from what I've been doing and join Dukes. Did
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00:06:04.338that thought I'll bring it
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00:06:06.998up with mum and dad they took me out for dinner hoodwinked me
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00:06:09.758into a Chinese meal and then interviewed me which I
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00:06:12.638didn't think I was going to get I'm under no illusion Laura and Sarah did not
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00:06:16.078get an interview but I did but
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00:06:19.358thankfully the Chinese was nice I got the job so so
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00:06:24.858yeah that's how I kind of fell into it it was conscious to join more so at that
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00:06:28.758point but it was never really part of the plan I didn't think I would be doing
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00:06:34.058HR at Dukes but well here we are and it's worked well hasn't it no you
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00:06:38.878you wouldn't look back now obviously I I know your parents have now taken a backseat, so to speak,
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00:06:41.498and let you loose running the business,
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00:06:47.218which I'm sure was a very conscious and a very sound decision on their part.
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00:06:50.358But I'm interested to know in terms of the values
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00:06:55.019that you grew up with that they will have installed a number of those values
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00:07:00.779within you how has that influenced how you now are running Dukes and and how
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00:07:01.899you approach enforcement,
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00:07:06.199so Laura we'll go back to you yeah thanks so i
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00:07:09.579guess there's a there's a lot of values that obviously we kind of got instilled
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00:07:14.679in us or learned kind of growing up thanks to mom and dad but i guess the key
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00:07:20.519ones for me personally that kind of i bring to my to my work and to Dukes and
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00:07:25.459to enforcement is relationships and connections, like building meaningful connections,
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00:07:28.439honesty, and also continuous improvement.
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00:07:31.839So I'll kind of go into those three a little bit more and kind of what I mean.
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00:07:37.559So in terms of the relationships, for me, growing up, we've always been taught
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00:07:40.599to build meaningful relationships with people and to treat everybody as equal.
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00:07:43.599Everybody's heard that saying, treat people as you'd like to be treated.
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00:07:47.579And that is something I live by. And I think it's important
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00:07:50.539specifically in customer service but also in a leadership role
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00:07:53.679so you know i take the time to speak to anybody within the
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00:07:56.399business or here in our London office whether that be
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00:07:59.739the cleaner I'll have a chat with them a weekend build rapport
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00:08:02.479with them and the same with the CEO to me
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00:08:05.319it doesn't matter what their job is i treat everybody with that
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00:08:07.999same yeah yeah i think that
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00:08:10.799i just think that's really important in terms of the value of
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00:08:13.919honesty I'm kind of a person that I
00:08:13.919 -->
00:08:17.299guess I wear my heart on the sleeve I say say
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00:08:21.259things as they are I can't really I don't really have a great poker face which
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00:08:26.679is good and bad i don't really play poker so it's okay but yeah being raised
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00:08:32.279in a close-knit family we've always been taught to and provided a safe space
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00:08:36.479safe space to provide open and candid feedback with one another and listen to that feedback,
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00:08:41.059that's helped the three of us grow immensely quite quickly over the last kind
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00:08:45.419of yeah well not all of our lives really, but certainly over the last 10 years
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00:08:48.679with Sarah and I that we've been at Dukes and the last kind of five,
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00:08:50.039six since Zoe's been with us.
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00:08:53.711So that kind of honesty and kind of providing that feedback,
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00:08:59.091it shapes the way we lead the business and it shapes the way we engage with our teams.
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00:09:03.571We replicate that safe space for them and provide that kind of honest environment
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00:09:07.511to help our teams develop and continue to create opportunities for them.
00:09:08.151 -->
00:09:12.431Additionally, as a leader, again, that honesty piece, I think it's really important
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00:09:15.411to be honest and open and vulnerable as a leader.
00:09:15.751 -->
00:09:19.211So, you know, sharing that we're all human, you know, it doesn't matter what
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00:09:22.451the job title is, we're all the same. we've got things going on or whatnot,
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00:09:26.251not saying that you need to delve into that. I think there's a time and a place.
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00:09:31.411However, but it's just showing that, you know, we're aiming to be aiming for
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00:09:34.751perfection, but we're not all perfect and that's fine, but you can still progress.
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00:09:37.531You can still develop. Yeah. You don't need to let things hold you back.
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00:09:42.631So for me, that's, that's another value that, um, definitely shapes the way. No, it's good. we are Dukes
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00:09:48.111And then the final one continuous improvement, me, me and Sarah and Zoe laugh
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00:09:52.271about this because, you know, we learned early kind of the value of hard work
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00:09:54.391and taking pride in what we've got.
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00:10:00.311And I say that in a sense of we remember our childhood at secondary school that
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00:10:03.411we didn't really have a lot of time to spend with our friends,
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00:10:09.131which probably wasn't all correct. It's probably just a specific memory that we hold on to.
00:10:09.251 -->
00:10:13.671But what I mean by that is kind of weekends, every weekend it seemed to have
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00:10:18.211spent tidying the house, cleaning or reorganising the kitchen.
00:10:18.511 -->
00:10:20.431Helping in the garden, making something better.
00:10:20.991 -->
00:10:23.731Mom and dad just never seemed to stop. They were always doing something,
00:10:23.851 -->
00:10:26.891trying to make things better and improve and enhance what they had.
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00:10:31.051At times, this felt restrictive, obviously, because we felt that we didn't have
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00:10:34.191time to go out with our friends or our boyfriends at the time, whatever it was.
00:10:34.591 -->
00:10:38.771But that's definitely embedded a powerful mindset for all of us.
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00:10:42.911So, you know, we look at things, look at processes or, you know,
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00:10:46.151different things with enforcement, the way that we're approaching enforcement,
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00:10:49.431and we look to enhance that and change it and improve it.
00:10:50.389 -->
00:10:54.689So that's definitely a mindset that we have and that we instil and share with
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00:10:56.509the rest of the team at Dukes.
00:10:56.729 -->
00:11:00.809So we make sure that everybody, no matter what role they are,
00:11:01.009 -->
00:11:06.349they feel that they can you know share some insight that they may have in terms of how
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00:11:09.049they think we can continuously improve or make something better.
00:11:09.289 -->
00:11:12.889Yeah, I could really sense that was very powerful. and
00:11:12.889 -->
00:11:15.609what doesn't come across on the audio is that I'm looking at
00:11:15.609 -->
00:11:18.569Zoe and Sarah and you know you were
00:11:18.569 -->
00:11:21.389absolutely with Laura on that
00:11:21.389 -->
00:11:24.009we could totally yeah yeah i could see that it was a
00:11:24.009 -->
00:11:28.369pain point it was about you know feeling like we didn't have much of a weekend
00:11:28.369 -->
00:11:32.949but i mean i wouldn't change it i'm wouldn't change it absolutely no good luck
00:11:32.949 -->
00:11:36.909to our kids because they'll be doing the exact same thing yeah yeah but we'll
00:11:36.909 -->
00:11:39.449be doing it with us i'll just be doing it with their grandparents so you can't
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00:11:42.749help them sort their house out and organise. Cut your hours a bit, yeah.
00:11:43.249 -->
00:11:45.769Is there anything to add to that, Sarah, from your perspective?
00:11:46.029 -->
00:11:52.209Yeah, similar to Laura, but the three kind of values that stick out for me is teamwork.
00:11:53.109 -->
00:11:59.289So Laura and I are very keen into our sports, played in various different teams at high levels.
00:11:59.549 -->
00:12:05.389And for me, that's a core value that I grew up with and continue to instil
00:12:05.389 -->
00:12:09.389at Dukes, making sure everyone feels part of the team. And there's different layers to that.
00:12:09.529 -->
00:12:14.089Obviously, in a team, you have to show respect, give respect to other people.
00:12:14.449 -->
00:12:19.409And in terms of leadership, knowing when to take the lead and to allow others to take the lead.
00:12:19.589 -->
00:12:23.709So that's a key one for me and really key part of our culture that we try and.
00:12:25.021 -->
00:12:29.001Kind of bring into Dukes to make sure that people feel part of the team part of the family,
00:12:29.761 -->
00:12:32.561excellence is one of the values that i that kind
00:12:32.561 -->
00:12:35.441of springs to mind for me but very much for similar reasons to
00:12:35.441 -->
00:12:38.501what Laura said there about was aiming for those really high standards
00:12:38.501 -->
00:12:43.781and for me that has then embedded in every kind of role that I've kind of touched
00:12:43.781 -->
00:12:51.141and been part of and then the third bit would be discipline so you know that
00:12:51.141 -->
00:12:55.161comes again from sports and on those weekends where we didn't want to tidy up
00:12:55.161 -->
00:12:56.341or do whatever, do our chores.
00:12:57.181 -->
00:13:00.021Sometimes you have to, it's all about turning up even when you don't want to.
00:13:00.201 -->
00:13:04.741And that's still very prevalent in our roles at Dukes, sometimes your personal
00:13:04.741 -->
00:13:05.941life, whatever it may be.
00:13:06.161 -->
00:13:10.181But it's about motivating those others around you when you can tell that they
00:13:10.181 -->
00:13:11.481feel a little bit low or whatever.
00:13:11.761 -->
00:13:16.221And also just, you know, what's the word about grit and determination?
00:13:16.341 -->
00:13:20.741You just kind of have to pull your socks up some days and get on with it,
00:13:20.861 -->
00:13:22.761especially if you're running a company.
00:13:22.761 -->
00:13:26.001So yeah absolutely you mentioned culture there
00:13:26.001 -->
00:13:28.761Sarah and I think that's something Zoe I'd like
00:13:28.761 -->
00:13:32.121to sort of pick up with you if I could really and yeah I've
00:13:32.121 -->
00:13:34.821been a head of HR in the past as well so I know the
00:13:34.821 -->
00:13:38.801sort of challenges - you know the party - well exactly exactly and quite
00:13:38.801 -->
00:13:44.361often it's assumed that the culture rests with the HR function but you know
00:13:44.361 -->
00:13:48.321you and I both know and I know that Laura and Sarah do as well that the culture
00:13:48.321 -->
00:13:53.181is is absolutely across the whole of the organisation So how would you describe
00:13:53.181 -->
00:13:55.521the culture that you've built at Dukes then?
00:13:56.601 -->
00:14:01.241How does that translate into the day-to-day enforcement practices that are undertaken
00:14:01.241 -->
00:14:02.221within the organisation?
00:14:02.741 -->
00:14:06.921I think you've said it. We're a family-run business, and that really feeds into
00:14:06.921 -->
00:14:09.401everything we do. We've got that family feel.
00:14:10.121 -->
00:14:14.621Laura and Sarah have touched on it in terms of that innovating and continually improving.
00:14:15.181 -->
00:14:21.641We're a real innovative firm. We're fast-moving, but fundamentally, we're people first.
00:14:21.681 -->
00:14:25.041I think that comes down to the family culture that we've built. even as
00:14:25.041 -->
00:14:27.801we grow it's really conscious for us to not lose that
00:14:27.801 -->
00:14:30.901and I think through the way we make decisions and
00:14:30.901 -->
00:14:33.881the conscious choices we make yes we make our decisions quickly because
00:14:33.881 -->
00:14:37.041we have to in some instances but we trust
00:14:37.041 -->
00:14:39.841our staff and we trust that decisions whilst made
00:14:39.841 -->
00:14:43.181quickly will be made in the right way and doing the
00:14:43.181 -->
00:14:46.061right thing is there it's embedded because it's
00:14:46.061 -->
00:14:48.921just our moral compass kind of guides that in every in
00:14:48.921 -->
00:14:51.901every way sometimes we know that the path the
00:14:51.901 -->
00:14:55.101easiest path might be not the best path but we we
00:14:55.101 -->
00:14:58.801take the difficult one if it means doing it the right way and i think that
00:14:58.801 -->
00:15:02.341guides us entirely for us
00:15:02.341 -->
00:15:06.461recently like we knew we had a good culture we have we do surveys every couple
00:15:06.461 -->
00:15:10.901of years but last year we really wanted to kind of cement it more outside of
00:15:10.901 -->
00:15:16.281our industry and one of the things we did was we got accredited certificate
00:15:16.281 -->
00:15:19.521sorry certified through Great Place to Work.
00:15:19.901 -->
00:15:25.461And we were really proud of our results. So 92% of our employees say it's a great place to work.
00:15:25.601 -->
00:15:28.401Now, when you put that to the UK typical company
00:15:29.199 -->
00:15:35.259UK-based company, that sits at 54%. So for all, it's like 92% of our staff. That's fantastic.
00:15:35.499 -->
00:15:40.839So we're so proud of that. And in our industry, the average for one of the companies
00:15:40.839 -->
00:15:47.839who's done it is 67%. So again, we have a leading culture. We have a leading
00:15:47.839 -->
00:15:50.179mindset. That's one of the things that really sets us apart.
00:15:50.379 -->
00:15:55.359We know we are leading the way in lots of ways, particularly the ethical enforcement side.
00:15:55.359 -->
00:15:58.119But it's really bought into the business
00:15:58.119 -->
00:16:01.019from that culture and just doing things the right way having a
00:16:01.019 -->
00:16:04.039real focus on best best
00:16:04.039 -->
00:16:07.099in class really best practice yeah and I'm conscious
00:16:07.099 -->
00:16:11.659of that that you put a lot of focus on that yeah a lot of your Linkedin posts
00:16:11.659 -->
00:16:14.919for example about recognising the achievements of people within the organisation
00:16:14.919 -->
00:16:21.139and and some of the team achievements as well yeah absolutely you probably have
00:16:21.139 -->
00:16:25.299a an award cabinet tucked away somewhere which is overflowing Yeah,
00:16:25.419 -->
00:16:28.839that's something I'm very proud of actually. That's something we've been working
00:16:28.839 -->
00:16:29.739on over the last couple of years - yeh.
00:16:30.603 -->
00:16:34.143And so, yeah, but it used to be the windowsills and now they're all taken up.
00:16:34.463 -->
00:16:39.343Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now we just need to get a cabinet in both of our offices. Yeah, yeah.
00:16:40.243 -->
00:16:44.823Which is fantastic. Good. You mentioned about the ethical approach there.
00:16:45.003 -->
00:16:49.143And I think, Laura, that's something I wanted to pick up in terms of what does
00:16:49.143 -->
00:16:54.883ethical leadership look like in an industry that's quite often misunderstood and misrepresented?
00:16:54.963 -->
00:16:57.963So how is that manifesting itself at Dukes?
00:16:57.963 -->
00:17:00.983For us ethical leadership is setting the
00:17:00.983 -->
00:17:04.543standard and applying that consistently and
00:17:04.543 -->
00:17:08.263and that's the key thing and that's setting it applying
00:17:08.263 -->
00:17:11.263it consistently especially when it's easier not to so Zoe's
00:17:11.263 -->
00:17:13.983kind of touched on that there yeah the easiest path to
00:17:13.983 -->
00:17:19.183take but backing what we say with actions and not just slogans, so you know so
00:17:19.183 -->
00:17:22.403many people can say different things but are they actually implementing what
00:17:22.403 -->
00:17:27.423what they say? We we don't shout about things unless we're doing it So it's making
00:17:27.423 -->
00:17:31.023those decisions with integrity and create a culture where those values that
00:17:31.023 -->
00:17:33.403we set are lived by every day. They're not just written down.
00:17:35.302 -->
00:17:40.162Yeah, it's your actions rather than your work. Yeah, 100%. Yeah, no, it's really good.
00:17:40.302 -->
00:17:43.682That's really good. And Sarah, how do you balance the need for efficient recovery
00:17:43.682 -->
00:17:47.062with the responsibility to protect people in difficult circumstances?
00:17:47.842 -->
00:17:53.022I'd say that the two pretty much go hand in hand. So for those that are unfamiliar
00:17:53.022 -->
00:17:56.662with the recovery process, they're taking control of goods regulations.
00:17:56.962 -->
00:18:02.722They're set out of the process. So just to recap, there's three stages with associated fees.
00:18:02.722 -->
00:18:07.702So you've got the first stage, which is the compliance stage with the £75 fee,
00:18:08.042 -->
00:18:15.122the enforcement stage, which has a £235 fee, and the sale and removal stage, which has £110.
00:18:15.782 -->
00:18:18.242Yeah. Just doing the basic overview there. Yeah.
00:18:19.162 -->
00:18:25.442Now, for us, efficient recovery and protecting the customers that need it,
00:18:25.562 -->
00:18:28.662the debtors that need it, whichever term we want to use, to say go hand in hand.
00:18:28.662 -->
00:18:34.302That's because for us, we use, if we look at the compliance stage,
00:18:34.482 -->
00:18:38.122so our biggest focus is on maximising collections at that compliance stage,
00:18:38.222 -->
00:18:39.442the first stage that I mentioned.
00:18:39.702 -->
00:18:42.262And we do that through investing in data.
00:18:42.762 -->
00:18:46.602Because when we get these cases from local authorities, through councils,
00:18:46.782 -->
00:18:48.922we have hardly any data to go with it.
00:18:49.002 -->
00:18:52.442We just have the name and their address of what they believe is their address.
00:18:52.442 -->
00:19:00.322So, we go that step further to, we collect data and we understand then their
00:19:00.322 -->
00:19:02.882propensity to pay, if they've got any financial vulnerabilities,
00:19:03.622 -->
00:19:05.902get additional contact methods and so on.
00:19:06.062 -->
00:19:09.402We use that then to tailor all of our communications to say,
00:19:09.522 -->
00:19:12.582look, we know that you've got, that you're potentially financially vulnerable,
00:19:12.822 -->
00:19:13.942we've got a welfare team.
00:19:15.327 -->
00:19:17.807We tailor the communication to try and get that early engagement.
00:19:18.287 -->
00:19:22.727And the results then equate to personalised service for the debtor.
00:19:23.127 -->
00:19:27.407They result in better engagement and therefore reduced fees because they only
00:19:27.407 -->
00:19:29.547set at that £75 that they pay us.
00:19:29.767 -->
00:19:34.067For us, that drives efficiency is because we collect more earlier on and we
00:19:34.067 -->
00:19:35.507deliver better results for our clients.
00:19:36.500 -->
00:19:41.780And actually, on average, we collect between 50% and 60% at that compliance stage. That's good.
00:19:42.040 -->
00:19:44.820So less than half of our cases ever go to enforcement.
00:19:45.120 -->
00:19:51.040Now, for then those that do go to enforcement, again, we drive efficiencies through using data.
00:19:51.440 -->
00:19:57.860So we use data to understand the most efficient time to visit based on historic
00:19:57.860 -->
00:20:00.900data that we've got, and also to then inform the agent's scheduling.
00:20:01.300 -->
00:20:06.400So the results, we use a lot of AI to drive that. We've built our own process
00:20:06.400 -->
00:20:11.160around and system, which is actually award-winning as well, just to throw that one out - plug plug.
00:20:13.180 -->
00:20:19.060But the results mean that then for us, the routes that our agents do are more
00:20:19.060 -->
00:20:22.100environmentally friendly, the eco-efficient routes.
00:20:22.260 -->
00:20:24.980We could do more visits per day, which is obviously important,
00:20:25.160 -->
00:20:26.560and we get increased engagement.
00:20:27.060 -->
00:20:32.080And that's one part that we layer on then, and it goes back to the culture and
00:20:32.080 -->
00:20:35.620everything that we've already talked and I'm sure we'll continue to talk about
00:20:35.620 -->
00:20:39.680shortly, but we layer that then with our enforcement agent incentive scheme,
00:20:39.900 -->
00:20:41.720which focuses purely on quality.
00:20:42.140 -->
00:20:45.600So when they're then going out and meeting people at their homes,
00:20:45.820 -->
00:20:47.540it's all about how they treat them.
00:20:47.660 -->
00:20:51.280And in terms of, it's not just getting payment, it's about understanding the
00:20:51.280 -->
00:20:54.420circumstances, maybe if we didn't have the detail, understanding if they're
00:20:54.420 -->
00:20:57.980vulnerable and then treating them with respect in the right way.
00:20:57.980 -->
00:21:03.840So for us, you know, efficiency, which we've driven through all of our data,
00:21:04.080 -->
00:21:05.740which inspires all of our actions,
00:21:06.040 -->
00:21:11.620then results in us doing the best and providing the best service for our debtors,
00:21:11.780 -->
00:21:14.680customers, as you say. Yeah, absolutely.
00:21:15.020 -->
00:21:17.460And as you say, it's about treating people with respect.
00:21:17.800 -->
00:21:21.840That's absolutely key. Being human. Yes. They're humans, we're humans,
00:21:21.960 -->
00:21:26.580and I think that feeds into that's why the family business, the family feel,
00:21:26.820 -->
00:21:31.340is seen at every angle or at every end of the customer journey,
00:21:31.400 -->
00:21:33.340I suppose. Yeah, yeah, exactly.
00:21:33.620 -->
00:21:36.760It runs through it like it was through a stick of rock, really,
00:21:36.900 -->
00:21:41.320doesn't it? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, which is great. So just picking up on that then, Zoe.
00:21:42.361 -->
00:21:46.281Can you share an example where a more empathetic and personal-centred approach
00:21:46.281 -->
00:21:48.141actually changed the outcome of a case?
00:21:48.741 -->
00:21:52.461Yeah, there's probably so many to list, actually.
00:21:53.201 -->
00:21:57.641Because, like I said, that human interaction, that human approach is intertwined
00:21:57.641 -->
00:22:02.881in their training, intertwined in the way that our agents or our contact-centre
00:22:02.881 -->
00:22:04.741agents want to do their job.
00:22:04.901 -->
00:22:10.681But I think two spring to mind. One being where an enforcement agent visited
00:22:10.681 -->
00:22:16.401a debtor, a customer, at their home, and flagged severe vulnerability from the
00:22:16.401 -->
00:22:17.721moment they said hello, essentially.
00:22:18.021 -->
00:22:22.061It was very quickly established that that person didn't have enough money to
00:22:22.061 -->
00:22:24.641feed themselves, let alone pay their bills.
00:22:24.861 -->
00:22:29.241So naturally, the enforcement agent returned the case back to the client and
00:22:29.241 -->
00:22:33.361said, look, no further enforcement action can ever happen on this individual.
00:22:34.201 -->
00:22:35.541Just extremely vulnerable.
00:22:35.941 -->
00:22:38.701But going completely out of his way he didn't
00:22:38.701 -->
00:22:41.701go to his next job he took himself to Tesco went and bought a
00:22:41.701 -->
00:22:44.461complete food care package for this person and his
00:22:44.461 -->
00:22:47.101dog and and took it back to deliver it and
00:22:47.101 -->
00:22:49.941said look that's good you've got nothing I've gone and done
00:22:49.941 -->
00:22:53.561this it was out all out of his own pocket and just gave him
00:22:53.561 -->
00:22:56.461something that he didn't have or the opportunity to go and get for himself and
00:22:56.461 -->
00:22:59.341i think that talks to the human side that
00:22:59.341 -->
00:23:02.601we're referring to yeah and we were exceptionally
00:23:02.601 -->
00:23:05.921proud of that individual it was something that we we're still
00:23:05.921 -->
00:23:08.621we're still proud of him and I'm talking about it now it's just
00:23:08.621 -->
00:23:11.681that real human connection just feeding
00:23:11.681 -->
00:23:14.541into his job really yeah I mean you can't you can't
00:23:14.541 -->
00:23:17.261train that can you - no you you can't you're right -
00:23:17.261 -->
00:23:20.141i mean you will train people who are within the
00:23:20.141 -->
00:23:23.461organisation because you want them to perform at a certain level etc etc but
00:23:23.461 -->
00:23:27.981something like that yeah it's about the right selection of the person in the
00:23:27.981 -->
00:23:32.241first place with the right skillset that actually that's the way they would
00:23:32.241 -->
00:23:37.261behave naturally in respect when they see people who are struggling and to do
00:23:37.261 -->
00:23:38.981it off his own back is fantastic.
00:23:39.301 -->
00:23:41.341Exactly. And that's one of the things you touched on it, with with
00:23:43.090 -->
00:23:45.970It's about when you pick the right people. And for us, some of our roles,
00:23:46.090 -->
00:23:48.790they can be open for a while before we fill them.
00:23:48.870 -->
00:23:53.790And we think, no, we won't just sort of... It's a bit like when you're dating.
00:23:53.790 -->
00:23:55.610You don't want to just settle for someone.
00:23:55.730 -->
00:24:00.230And we like that with recruitment because it's really important for us to find the right people.
00:24:00.350 -->
00:24:04.430They've got to build our culture and make it grow even further.
00:24:04.670 -->
00:24:09.650But our reputation is so key to us. And we will spend longer on recruitment
00:24:09.650 -->
00:24:12.830to make sure we're taking people on that won't only represent Dukes.
00:24:12.830 -->
00:24:15.970In the best way but we've got an industry that is under
00:24:15.970 -->
00:24:18.990scrutiny and that needs good representation so for
00:24:18.990 -->
00:24:21.910us we put a lot of time and money
00:24:21.910 -->
00:24:25.090into the recruitment and training practice so that
00:24:25.090 -->
00:24:28.930we have people like this that you don't even have to tell them what to do they
00:24:28.930 -->
00:24:32.730just do it off the off their own back yeah it comes down to values doesn't it
00:24:32.730 -->
00:24:38.090yes yeah it comes around full circle to where we started. Yeh you know we're clear on what our values are
00:24:38.090 -->
00:24:42.910and you know as I said before it's making sure that the values aren't just written down,
00:24:43.290 -->
00:24:48.490the team and the staff and family members, as we call it are living that out every day.
00:24:49.150 -->
00:24:53.710He's not the only example of people that does that. He's not just a shining star. Yes.
00:24:55.090 -->
00:25:00.510We are proud to say we have a great team across the board at all levels.
00:25:00.790 -->
00:25:04.670They are really conscientious, caring people.
00:25:04.950 -->
00:25:11.690One of the things that Zoe brought on when she joined is we have now,
00:25:11.850 -->
00:25:16.090at the end of the year when we do our Christmas party, it's been kind of joined
00:25:16.090 -->
00:25:17.170up as our awards ceremony.
00:25:17.450 -->
00:25:21.810And we have what's called the Crest Awards because our company values are called
00:25:21.810 -->
00:25:26.490the family Crest and obviously Crest makes up the acronym of some of our values,
00:25:26.870 -->
00:25:28.210family being the headline one.
00:25:29.030 -->
00:25:34.770And within that is the opportunity peers can vote either for peer-to-peer voting
00:25:34.770 -->
00:25:36.630or you can vote for yourself, nominate yourself.
00:25:36.890 -->
00:25:42.530You have to put through a whole application as you do with normal awards and people
00:25:42.530 -->
00:25:47.830then get a certificate, well, it's not a certificate they get a trophy and a shout-out amongst
00:25:47.830 -->
00:25:50.890the whole team, up onto the stage and everything, and then it's great.
00:25:50.890 -->
00:25:54.090It's yeah recognition linking um and that's
00:25:54.090 -->
00:25:57.490super important because it is more than just doing the
00:25:57.490 -->
00:26:00.310job you know yeah yeah if you're doing Dukes it's about
00:26:00.310 -->
00:26:02.990doing the right things yeah and that is it yeah
00:26:02.990 -->
00:26:07.430and being and being recogniDed for doing the right things just only inspires
00:26:07.430 -->
00:26:10.930other people to think yes I've had a great story this year i probably should
00:26:10.930 -->
00:26:15.610shout about it a bit more or i could then put myself up for this or just inspires
00:26:15.610 -->
00:26:21.370individuals yours to not copy others that are doing well, but just do similar things.
00:26:21.570 -->
00:26:26.290And it's developing role models, isn't it, with the organisation, which is fantastic.
00:26:26.590 -->
00:26:31.430And in fact, it leads me in because I'm just conscious that we're in a rapidly
00:26:31.430 -->
00:26:36.750moving world and enforcement is moving arguably quicker than a lot of other
00:26:36.750 -->
00:26:38.490places in terms of the development.
00:26:38.490 -->
00:26:44.750And so what innovations, Laura, have Dukes undertaken either technologically
00:26:44.750 -->
00:26:49.630or procedurally or culturally within the last few years that you're most proud of?
00:26:50.553 -->
00:26:53.593I'm happy you've asked me that question, actually. That's a relief.
00:26:55.493 -->
00:27:00.133Just because I've got quite a lot to say about it, but I'll try and be concise about it.
00:27:00.293 -->
00:27:03.113From a technological point of view and procedural point of view,
00:27:04.073 -->
00:27:08.513something I'm really proud of is at Dukes, we have our own kind of debtor website.
00:27:08.713 -->
00:27:13.193So a standalone debtor website that sits alongside our one for clients or prospects
00:27:13.193 -->
00:27:14.553that might find us on Google.
00:27:15.433 -->
00:27:18.113That was a conscious choice to have that, to have two websites.
00:27:18.113 -->
00:27:22.813And part of the reason for that is because, one, we don't think it's appropriate
00:27:22.813 -->
00:27:28.293to be kind of shouting about how great we are as collectors in front of debtors.
00:27:28.393 -->
00:27:31.433I think that's a bit insensitive, definitely.
00:27:31.973 -->
00:27:36.393But also the other reason, the predominant reason, was because,
00:27:36.673 -->
00:27:40.713you know, we wanted to ensure that we're able to create a good customer journey,
00:27:41.153 -->
00:27:44.993a successful, efficient customer journey that provides the details that the debtor
00:27:44.993 -->
00:27:47.493is looking for from the offset of when they get that letter from us.
00:27:47.493 -->
00:27:51.493So, we've built this website that provides a whole host of information, you know
00:27:53.073 -->
00:27:57.333There can be no confusion as to how they've ended up receiving a letter from
00:27:57.333 -->
00:27:58.853us and what their next steps are.
00:28:00.069 -->
00:28:02.849It showcases where they need to go for support, for guidance,
00:28:03.349 -->
00:28:05.029how they can get unclaimed benefits.
00:28:05.309 -->
00:28:09.809You know, there's a whole host of things on there, practical guidance and practical tips.
00:28:10.309 -->
00:28:13.929But that's just the starting point, really. So 10 years ago,
00:28:13.989 -->
00:28:17.809when I first joined the business in my role as marketing administrator,
00:28:17.809 -->
00:28:21.969I was looking at the website and trying to figure out how we could make the
00:28:21.969 -->
00:28:22.809customer journey better.
00:28:23.309 -->
00:28:29.369And part of that was understanding that the trends in communication were changing
00:28:29.369 -->
00:28:33.909people didn't just want to pick up the phone and speak to debt collectors.
00:28:35.109 -->
00:28:39.769Vulnerabilities were starting to kind of be showcased and the word vulnerable
00:28:39.769 -->
00:28:42.009was kind of starting to become more of a buzzword.
00:28:42.349 -->
00:28:47.369So it was recognising that people wanted to kind of communicate in a way that
00:28:47.369 -->
00:28:51.009was behind a screen, keyboard, more indirect.
00:28:51.449 -->
00:28:55.709So we implemented a live chat system, which was hugely hugely successful.
00:28:55.949 -->
00:28:59.989It was only available nine until five because that was our working hours at the time.
00:29:00.509 -->
00:29:05.329And then we quickly developed that to become a chatbot.
00:29:05.749 -->
00:29:10.049So the chatbot, and this was developed, I think about four or five years ago now.
00:29:10.229 -->
00:29:14.269So we developed our own in-house chatbot that was available and is available,
00:29:14.429 -->
00:29:17.489still available 24-7, 365 days a year.
00:29:17.829 -->
00:29:22.249So what we've seen from that is we get a lot of debtors, a lot of customers
00:29:22.249 -->
00:29:28.289contacting us out of hours on the weekend and they're able to get full support, full 360 support.
00:29:28.689 -->
00:29:33.329They can manage their debt on there. They can make payments, they can seek support.
00:29:34.529 -->
00:29:38.509It's, it's a really fantastic tool, knowing how successful that is.
00:29:38.629 -->
00:29:41.989And obviously how AI is kind of taken, taking the world at storm.
00:29:42.769 -->
00:29:45.749We haven't kind of sat there and thought that's great. That's doing a good job.
00:29:46.601 -->
00:29:49.981Thinking about that continuous improvement I talked about earlier, we've developed it
00:29:49.981 -->
00:29:51.581to become a virtual assistant.
00:29:52.461 -->
00:29:57.861So it's in the stages at the moment. So the plan is that it will be available on phone.
00:29:58.121 -->
00:30:02.001It could take a little bit of stress away from the calls that we still receive to the,
00:30:03.049 -->
00:30:05.669customer hub and it can answer a call as if
00:30:05.669 -->
00:30:08.649it's a human and basically direct the customer to
00:30:08.649 -->
00:30:11.689whatever it is that they're looking for - more information maybe payment
00:30:11.689 -->
00:30:14.449you know everything that a human could do
00:30:14.449 -->
00:30:17.109the key thing is you know something that
00:30:17.109 -->
00:30:19.869we're super proud of and I'm sure this is part of the reason why it's
00:30:19.869 -->
00:30:22.769helped us win awards because we have won quite a lot of awards for
00:30:22.769 -->
00:30:25.949this particular innovation over the last couple of years is because
00:30:25.949 -->
00:30:29.069it also identifies vulnerabilities so it's
00:30:29.069 -->
00:30:32.109not just one of those faq chatbots that
00:30:32.109 -->
00:30:35.029sits on a website and is actually really frustrating because it's not answering
00:30:35.029 -->
00:30:40.709what you want at all it's just you know yeah i've been on a few of those and - me too -
00:30:40.709 -->
00:30:46.069we made sure you know as we were developing that software and that ai technology
00:30:46.069 -->
00:30:49.869that it wasn't going to fall into many of those traps that we'd all experienced and hate - that's good yeh.
00:30:51.489 -->
00:30:57.249So yeah it it doesn't do that it actually answers questions, it will flag vulnerabilities,
00:30:57.789 -->
00:31:00.609internally to humans to to real people within the
00:31:00.609 -->
00:31:03.349office if somebody said something or kind of
00:31:03.349 -->
00:31:06.769used some terminology that that is alarming and obviously
00:31:06.769 -->
00:31:09.829then we can report that back to the client or the
00:31:09.829 -->
00:31:13.169enforcement agent wherever the case is sat. That escalates
00:31:13.169 -->
00:31:15.949it out then doesn't it from being with the bot to a
00:31:15.949 -->
00:31:18.909person yeah recognising that someone who is vulnerable will need
00:31:18.909 -->
00:31:22.229the extra touch point yeah that's that's really important Sarah
00:31:22.229 -->
00:31:26.269isn't it really because you you don't have it just whirling around or somebody
00:31:26.269 -->
00:31:31.489being stuck in there it's having the ability to trigger it and to speak to a
00:31:31.489 -->
00:31:35.989real person who can actually then personalise the the conversation and make
00:31:35.989 -->
00:31:39.529it very relevant to the person who clearly needs that support - definitely yeah,
00:31:40.089 -->
00:31:44.969it's taken some time to develop i mean when you said there was it been four years
00:31:44.969 -->
00:31:50.569or whatever just after the dreaded C word, which is COVID, just to be clear,
00:31:50.829 -->
00:31:53.069just after COVID happened was when,
00:31:53.369 -->
00:31:59.909because myself, Zoe and Laura all jumped on that, as we kind of had to be furloughed
00:31:59.909 -->
00:32:00.709and we couldn't enforce,
00:32:01.169 -->
00:32:03.649our service did remain open so that if you.
00:32:04.318 -->
00:32:10.538Contact us, we were available, so that was via phones, but then also our live
00:32:10.538 -->
00:32:13.738chat at the time and all of us experienced responding to it.
00:32:13.798 -->
00:32:19.478And that's where the idea of the chatbot was born, because actually COVID changed
00:32:19.478 -->
00:32:21.598the way that people communicated even more so than in the last
00:32:21.838 -->
00:32:24.93810 years - everyone then became online and they demanded 24-7,
00:32:25.258 -->
00:32:29.858so that's what really propelled the chatbot too.
00:32:30.698 -->
00:32:33.958I read something the other day that said COVID wasn't two years ago.
00:32:34.338 -->
00:32:37.118It was nearly six years ago,
00:32:39.258 -->
00:32:44.978so just mental. But yeah, that's one for me that I think...we're proud of. That's a really good example.
00:32:47.138 -->
00:32:50.498We're the only ones in the industry that do that, and that's why we've won awards
00:32:50.498 -->
00:32:56.358time and time again for it, because it's not something anybody could just replicate overnight.
00:32:56.658 -->
00:33:00.378It takes a lot of time and a lot of investment, But it's been worth it.
00:33:00.858 -->
00:33:04.598I think just moving on from that, that's a really interesting example, Laura.
00:33:04.718 -->
00:33:10.398And I know you've spoken a lot publicly, Sarah, about raising standards across the whole sector.
00:33:10.658 -->
00:33:17.718And what do you think needs to change at national level then to raise those standards still further?
00:33:20.018 -->
00:33:22.698It's a great question, Well you're Right i mean the industry has changed a lot over the
00:33:22.698 -->
00:33:25.758last 12 years it is since the control of
00:33:25.758 -->
00:33:28.718goods regulations 2014 came in so
00:33:28.718 -->
00:33:32.138or just approaching 12 years and between
00:33:32.138 -->
00:33:35.118then and now you know there's been
00:33:35.118 -->
00:33:38.138body worn videos that have been that the industry
00:33:38.138 -->
00:33:41.678implemented to ensure transparency, protect
00:33:41.678 -->
00:33:44.458enforcement agents and public uh we had then
00:33:44.458 -->
00:33:47.978an independent complaints process with the care panel then
00:33:47.978 -->
00:33:51.458we all with with the advice sector we work together as
00:33:51.458 -->
00:33:55.018the industry I'm talking about now when i say we enforcement industry
00:33:55.018 -->
00:33:59.698work together with the advice sector to propose an independent oversight body
00:33:59.698 -->
00:34:03.238which is of course the enforcement conduct board yep and now we support the
00:34:03.238 -->
00:34:08.758statutory underpinning of a regulator, so we've been through a bit of a journey
00:34:08.758 -->
00:34:13.778and my suggestion would be that you know we need to continue supporting the
00:34:13.778 -->
00:34:14.978enforcement conduct board,
00:34:15.158 -->
00:34:18.998it's likely that there will be a statutory regulator now this year.
00:34:19.178 -->
00:34:21.758Sure. It's very likely that it's going to be the Enforcement Conduct Board,
00:34:22.018 -->
00:34:24.958although it wasn't guaranteed in the MOJ's note.
00:34:25.138 -->
00:34:31.078But for me, really, it's about staying on that journey and providing the data
00:34:31.078 -->
00:34:37.318that the Enforcement Conduct Board want, cooperating with them and taking accountability as well.
00:34:37.998 -->
00:34:42.878There's, so that's the Enforcement Conduct Board, which is kind of the overarching piece.
00:34:42.878 -->
00:34:45.878I'd say that there's another bit in terms
00:34:45.878 -->
00:34:48.818of enforcement agents, now we've talked
00:34:48.818 -->
00:34:52.658about what great enforcement agents look like and then there's a lot of that
00:34:52.658 -->
00:34:56.978a lot of great practice that goes on across the piste in the industry but i
00:34:56.978 -->
00:35:03.418think personally that the industry and national level we could do with to more
00:35:03.418 -->
00:35:07.918consistency or more continued focus on trying to,
00:35:08.538 -->
00:35:12.838out any bad apples - now there's bad apples in every industry you know,
00:35:12.858 -->
00:35:17.878across multiple industries, people can decide to, for whatever reason, to not act
00:35:19.298 -->
00:35:25.738within at all the regulations. And I think there's still an onus on all firms
00:35:25.738 -->
00:35:30.558to take action when they find someone that isn't always... Yeh yeh
00:35:30.898 -->
00:35:35.258There's the phrase, they're not fitting proper enforcement agents.
00:35:35.538 -->
00:35:37.418And it's something that we're passionate about.
00:35:38.078 -->
00:35:41.698You don't like to do it, or you obviously don't do it. What's the word?
00:35:42.558 -->
00:35:45.758When it's prematurely, there has to be sufficient grounds
00:35:45.758 -->
00:35:48.678for it but where someone really has acted incorrectly against
00:35:48.678 -->
00:35:51.678regulations for me where there's no sign
00:35:51.678 -->
00:35:54.858of that training retraining will help absolutely yeah um
00:35:54.858 -->
00:35:58.158you know we have a duty to encourage them
00:35:58.158 -->
00:36:01.278to leave the industry. Sure no i think that's very powerful actually
00:36:01.278 -->
00:36:05.198and it will be interesting to see how the enforcement conduct board evolves
00:36:05.198 -->
00:36:10.878as the year progresses so yes interesting interesting. Zoe, I'm looking before
00:36:10.878 -->
00:36:15.878me and there are three ladies sitting in front of me in what is a very well
00:36:15.878 -->
00:36:19.058historically very male-dominated industry.
00:36:19.398 -->
00:36:26.598So what have been your experiences in terms of the face of women leading the
00:36:26.598 -->
00:36:28.698way in this industry and you.
00:36:29.480 -->
00:36:34.100What have you found has been a challenge to you and where do you see that moving forward?
00:36:34.580 -->
00:36:39.820Yeah, it has historically been a male-dominated. I think it still is to a great extent, really.
00:36:39.940 -->
00:36:44.100I think that being said, there are some strong leaders in the industry.
00:36:44.260 -->
00:36:46.560There's also WIRE, the Women in Revenues and Enforcement.
00:36:46.800 -->
00:36:49.820Yeah, which I know you're all very active with. Yeah, been established Laura and Sarah
00:36:49.820 -->
00:36:51.720particularly being part of the board.
00:36:52.140 -->
00:36:55.100And I think that's making some really great change. It allows for
00:36:55.100 -->
00:36:58.460a lot more accessibility for people to come through an industry that was
00:36:58.460 -->
00:37:01.480once deemed more of a male environment that hard
00:37:01.480 -->
00:37:04.540to get into or hard to want to work in but for
00:37:04.540 -->
00:37:07.860us I think and for me I see it as a strength that
00:37:07.860 -->
00:37:10.940we are even the fact that we're in a kind of a trio or
00:37:10.940 -->
00:37:13.880sisters let alone just being females in
00:37:13.880 -->
00:37:16.820a male dominated space I don't see it as necessarily
00:37:16.820 -->
00:37:19.860a barrier because the different perspectives
00:37:19.860 -->
00:37:22.720that it brings, it brings a level
00:37:22.720 -->
00:37:25.600of balance we have different ideas that come into the table
00:37:25.600 -->
00:37:28.500all the time and I don't just mean with Laura, Sarah and
00:37:28.500 -->
00:37:31.520I but 90& of our senior leadership
00:37:31.520 -->
00:37:34.360team is female so for us we've kind
00:37:34.360 -->
00:37:37.380of got that ingrained in our leadership in
00:37:37.380 -->
00:37:43.280the business and the way we are positioning ourselves as a company because we
00:37:43.280 -->
00:37:48.240we know it brings a different kind of leadership style where we have a very
00:37:48.240 -->
00:37:53.480decisive and again to go back on that word before human so balancing that human
00:37:53.480 -->
00:37:55.400and decisive leadership style, I think,
00:37:55.740 -->
00:38:00.140comes from the strength that women bring to the environment and the industry.
00:38:00.620 -->
00:38:04.900And I think we have each other's backs and that's us as sisters,
00:38:04.940 -->
00:38:08.420but just as a senior leadership team, we have each other's backs.
00:38:08.540 -->
00:38:10.100So I think, yes, there are challenges
00:38:10.100 -->
00:38:14.680in being taken seriously or kind of getting a seat at the table.
00:38:14.720 -->
00:38:19.440But once you have a seat at the table, I think it's really important that it
00:38:19.440 -->
00:38:24.580can be known and shown that women bring an excessive amount and a really wide
00:38:24.580 -->
00:38:27.560range of like perspectives and and
00:38:29.093 -->
00:38:31.773completer finishers which we all are we we can bring a lot to the
00:38:31.773 -->
00:38:34.833table and i think we've we've recognised that and we've been lucky
00:38:34.833 -->
00:38:38.193to be supported in it not just by mum
00:38:38.193 -->
00:38:41.053and dad who have kind of have shaped the way or paved the path
00:38:41.053 -->
00:38:43.913for us but also from the people that we're working with every day
00:38:43.913 -->
00:38:47.233kind of feed that in don't they. Yeah well you've
00:38:47.233 -->
00:38:49.993all actively proven that you're able to deliver that
00:38:49.993 -->
00:38:52.953so you know that's all credit to you. I think
00:38:52.953 -->
00:38:55.933just just winding things up if if
00:38:55.933 -->
00:38:59.453the listeners want to take away one message about what
00:38:59.453 -->
00:39:02.153what ethical enforcement really looks like in
00:39:02.153 -->
00:39:05.153practice what would that be? I'll come to you first
00:39:05.153 -->
00:39:09.673Zoe I would say it's not like what you hear on tv or in the press I know that
00:39:09.673 -->
00:39:14.553we've kind of touched on the perspectives or the perceptions rather of enforcement
00:39:14.553 -->
00:39:18.713outwardly outside one industry we know what we're striving for and we're doing
00:39:18.713 -->
00:39:23.993really good things but yet the perception of us as an industry isn't quite there,
00:39:25.159 -->
00:39:29.559But we know that that's not the case. And at Dukes, for us, we know what we're
00:39:29.559 -->
00:39:32.039trying to do and it's doing the right thing at every avenue.
00:39:33.279 -->
00:39:36.859And having a passion to continue to do that, I think, is really important.
00:39:37.059 -->
00:39:39.979And I think when you haven't got the passion to do things the right way or to
00:39:39.979 -->
00:39:43.039care really deeply about the people that you're trying to support,
00:39:43.259 -->
00:39:45.439it's probably not the environment to be in anymore.
00:39:45.459 -->
00:39:49.499But I think for us, it's not just a rule book as such.
00:39:49.779 -->
00:39:53.579It's a mindset. It's something that's just really embedded, that ethical
00:39:53.579 -->
00:39:56.659enforcement is just our our nature
00:39:56.659 -->
00:40:00.119do you agree Laura? Passion and determination yeah yeah
00:40:00.119 -->
00:40:02.819yeah absolutely Laura. I would agree i would
00:40:02.819 -->
00:40:06.819probably add to that it's also about you know ethical enforcement really looks
00:40:06.819 -->
00:40:11.139like being human i'm kind of relaying the point but it really does so considering
00:40:11.139 -->
00:40:15.479the person on the other side even when we've got targets when we've got timelines
00:40:15.479 -->
00:40:20.239or the scrutiny increases it's important that we still consider that person. Sure, sure.
00:40:20.419 -->
00:40:24.759I think that's a very valid point that you've made right the way through this,
00:40:24.879 -->
00:40:26.779Laura. So yeah, totally with you on that.
00:40:26.999 -->
00:40:31.399And finally, Sarah. Yeah, probably piggybacks a little bit of what Laura
00:40:31.399 -->
00:40:36.219said there is really that it's about how the results are achieved,
00:40:36.419 -->
00:40:40.139how we achieve things is just as important as the results themselves.
00:40:40.599 -->
00:40:45.399So again, it goes back to doing things the right way and whether or not that's
00:40:45.399 -->
00:40:50.979trusting your guts or processes, you know, it's about how you do it.
00:40:51.419 -->
00:40:53.359It's often more important than what you do.
00:40:54.119 -->
00:40:58.999Fantastic. Well, wrapping things up, thank you very, very much indeed. It's been tremendous.
00:40:59.219 -->
00:41:02.579It's the first time, as I mentioned right at the outset, that we've had a podcast
00:41:02.579 -->
00:41:04.899with three people on the other side of the table.
00:41:05.359 -->
00:41:09.179And it's been really, really interesting. I think it's been a valuable insight.
00:41:09.579 -->
00:41:13.039I'm conscious this podcast has taken longer than our average ones,
00:41:13.199 -->
00:41:15.899but then we haven't had one with three people here before.
00:41:16.239 -->
00:41:19.219And it's been really interesting. And thank you all so much.
00:41:19.419 -->
00:41:20.399It's been tremendous. Thank you. Thank you for having us, thank you.
00:41:22.990 -->
00:41:26.450Thank you to everyone who's listened to and supported the MALG podcast so far.
00:41:26.710 -->
00:41:31.490Please don't forget to like, follow, subscribe to and download these vital conversations
00:41:31.490 -->
00:41:35.070about working together to improve the lives of people in debt so that we can
00:41:35.070 -->
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00:41:36.930 -->
00:41:46.510Find out more and listen to all episodes at www.malg.org.uk/podcast.