I’m two months in to my new role at the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT), and this seemed a good time to reflect and take stock of my first impressions.
‘Impress’ is the right word in many ways. The commitment and hard work of the ACT team is commendable, and for a relatively small team we work across an impressive range of activities and initiatives with great effectiveness.
I have also been impressed by our members and especially our many volunteers. You are loyal and dedicated, and it is obvious when you get together at ACT events how much the profession, the community and the ACT all mean to you. This is one of our most valuable assets and I intend not to take this for granted.
I cannot fault the welcome I have been given. Everyone has been generous with their time and warm in their reception: from colleagues answering my almost endless questions, to the enthusiasm of members at the meetings and events I’ve already attended in London and at the recent Middle East Treasury Summit; from the thoughtful offers of time spent with individual treasury teams to help a non-treasurer understand why you are the heart and engine of so many businesses, to the many messages of welcome and support I’ve received - I really could not have asked for or anticipated a better welcome.
Of course, there is work to do. The ACT is emerging from the post-pandemic period well but we will continue to need the support of our members and partners to ensure a sustainable future.
Students and their employers’ needs from our highly regarded qualifications are shifting and adapting more rapidly than ever, so staying close to how we evolve in this area with relevance will be important.
Over the autumn and winter, we will be working with the ACT Council to think about the longer term too, looking at what footprint our membership should have and how we use our influence and impact with wider stakeholders to best effect.
For now, I am simply enjoying the undoubted success of our Middle East Treasury Summit in Dubai last week where I was definitely impressed and lifted by the bright ideas and smart work of our members and friends across the MENA region; and proud to be a small part of the amazing team that produced the event. Not a bad way to end my first two months working with the ACT.
