Peter Hayman, Founding Member and Honorary Fellow (1925 – 2016)

Go back 08 December 2016 Colin Tyler
 He had huge charm, a wicked sense of humour and great backbone." Mike Northeast 

 

Peter was one of the ACT ‘Pioneers’ and was instrumental in the formation of the ACT in 1979 and the early development of the treasury profession. He was a member of the very first Council and Chairman of Council from 1982-84.

His professional career was shaped by the first ever B.Com course at Birmingham University. Following the war, where he served as an infantryman in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and quickly established a taste for business turnarounds. Looking beyond the raw data proved to be the foundation of a successful business career, initially with a small publisher, followed by a small industrial conglomerate and then to a company employing 2,500 people in the reinforced concrete sector. He worked at Rank Organisation where he played an important role in developing and executing growth plans, and then joined Associated Fire Alarms, which was subsequently acquired by EMI. There he orchestrated the acquisition of a major competitor and was subsequently promoted to managing EMI's electronics and industrial division. Peter loved the job and was especially pleased to spot the potential of a small research project which was to become the CT scanner. By 1976 Peter had become EMI’s group treasurer with responsibilities for not only treasury functions but also tax, patents, royalties, property all of which had a material effect on the bottom line. By that stage there were subsidiaries and associates in more than 60 countries. Developing policies to manage cash flows and foreign exchange together with creating different borrowings maturities were in their infancy. Exchange control still existed and longer term corporate bonds, swaps etc. were only just arriving. Exciting times for the treasury team.

Alongside these responsibilities, Peter was active both in the Institute of Chartered Accountants on their technical committee and the formation of the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

 
Peter is one of the few people whom you can genuinely say without him the ACT may not have happened. A stalwart, he played an important role in the founding of the ACT. David Westby   


 

As many of you know the treasury function was developing rapidly in the 1970’s and against this backdrop there was a need to provide a place for treasurers to exchange ideas and experiences. Peter offered to host and chair the first meeting of the “Pioneers” on 25 January 1979 at the Selfridges Hotel. He was fully supportive of the ‘ACT Now’ proposal put forward by Normal Tribble and Walter Woodford and rallied behind this vision.

 Peter was one of the exemplars that we subsequent early followers looked up to and sought guidance from.” Daniel Hodson 

Peter was awarded Honorary Fellowship in 2004 in recognition of his significant contribution to the profession. His support for the ACT continued throughout his career and into retirement, attending some of our retired members’ lunches. He felt a close bond with the ACT and was particularly proud when the ACT was awarded its Royal Charter in 2012 - one of the objectives of ‘ACT Now’ in 1978. He attended and said grace at the Royal Charter celebratory dinner which took place at Plaisterers’ Hall in June 2013.


Peter was a keen golfer and bridge player, and a life-long member of Richmond Rugby Club. He was Captain of the Chartered Accountants Golf Society and subsequently President and also a founder member of the Elders Golfing Society. In addition he was a founder member of Golf d'Arcangues (near Biarritz) where he spent numerous holidays.

 He has left his legacy with us as ACT members and we have been privileged to have him among us.” Barbara Wijngaard 


Peter died in November 2016 aged 91 years. He will be much missed by all who knew him. We remember his achievements and sincerely thank him for his significant contribution to the profession.

Peter was closely involved with Save the Children Fund where he was on its governing Council.

The ACT have made a donation to Save the Children in Peter’s name. If you would like to make a donation in Peter’s name please click here.

 

 

 

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