The month of January traces its name back to the Roman god of beginnings, gateways and transitions, Janus. He famously has two faces giving him the special ability to look in opposite directions at the same time – a skill many of us might like to have as we juggle the currently unpredictable economic and business environment.
Janus has inspired me to pause at the start of this year – to look back at my first few months with the ACT as well as forward to what 2024 has in store, or at least those parts of 2024 that are possible to predict.
Clearly my 2023 involved a fair amount of change, and joining the team at the ACT in September was definitely a highlight. My first few months involved a lot of friendly welcomes, introductions to members, colleagues and partners around the world, and inductions into a number of organisations and groups where ACT members have a voice and influence. It was also a genuine pleasure to be part of the ACT’s busy autumn events schedule, from the Middle East Treasury Summit in Dubai to the Treasury Forum and ESG Conferences in London. Of course, nothing tops the amazing sight of over 1300 treasurers and friends filling the Great Room at the Grosvenor House hotel!
I was especially pleased to pick up and see published the work begun by treasurers in some of the UK’s largest listed companies and their banking partners to develop and publish the ACT’s Guiding Principles on Diversity and Inclusion. It has been good to hear how these practical guidelines are already helping enable discussions about DEI between corporates and banks and encourage wider participation from teams on both sides. This should serve to strengthen those relationships and make a tangible difference in opportunities for treasurers and bankers from all kinds of backgrounds over time.
So now to look forward – and with another reference to classical antiquity we can confirm that Heraclitus’ 2,500-year-old philosophy that ‘the only constant is change’ still holds good. For the ACT this will be reflected in a number of ways:
Of course, the most predictable thing in the wider environment in 2024 looks like being its uncertainty. In the world of treasury, we know this can mean opportunity as well as risk, and I believe it will confirm the important role skilled professional treasurers play across different sectors and organisations large and small, enabling them to adapt to shifting situations effectively. That sounds like something Janus would appreciate!
