September and October on these shores always comes that ‘back to school’ ambience. Whether it’s your kids traipsing back to school, or memories of your own heydays in the playground or of packing off back to university, there’s that distinctive feeling of summer being over and normal routine ensuing. Perhaps it’s apposite then that each September, at the Ones to Watch event, the ACT looks back over the success of our students during the previous year and celebrates the efforts of all those who completed a treasury or cash management qualification. We also pay special homage to the students who were ‘best in class’ in their particular qualification. What makes this crop of winners even more poignant is that 2016 was the first year’s cohort to have studied on the new and improved ACT qualifications pathway. The ACT updated all qualifications provisions to better support treasury and finance professionals wherever they are in their career path. Student response to the new qualifications provision has been extremely positive and it’s great to see such levels of success from so many committed professionals. Congratulations to all who have completed their qualification and well done in particular to the 2016 qualifications prize winners. Thanks also to our prize sponsors for their generosity and support. You can see the full list of individuals who have completed an ACT qualification on our Celebrating Success webpages, but without further ado, here are our winners and their sponsors with a few words about their prizes! ACT Student of the Year Joe Scattergood
For any aspiring senior treasury professional with eyes on the top job, the MCT Advanced Diploma is a significant stepping stone towards achieving their ambitions. The MCT takes the theory learned at AMCT a step further and applies this understanding to practical real-world scenarios using different companies operating in various industries. Judgement, reasoning and well-thought through arguments based on a sound understanding of the theory are some of the main skills students learn from doing MCT. Applying these skills to one’s own company is a valued ability in today’s complex and uncertain business environment. As treasurers become more involved in business strategy, so the MCT becomes more important to hold as it focuses on many of the strategic aspects of treasury and of finance. I would encourage any treasurer, including those who have been around a while, to do the MCT.
The ACT is very pleased to have the continued support and sponsorship from Shell for the Student of the Year prize:
Shell is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the Student of the Year prize for the student with the best result in the MCT. Excellence in treasury management is an important source of value for us and we place great emphasis on applying world class standards in our global treasury operations. Professional training and accreditation is an essential component of this. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Joe Scattergood.
Diploma in Treasury Management (AMCT) Prize Winner Heather Nisbet
Everywhere I have worked has valued ACT qualifications, so taking the Diploma in Treasury Management was an obvious step to take. It’s a credible and recognised qualification in the treasury and finance industry. Having AMCT has differentiated me as a candidate and enabled me to progress to become Acting Assistant Treasurer at Informa. It has helped me apply the theory I learnt in class to use in practice in the workplace and thus prepared me for a more strategic role. This prize is a great achievement to add to my CV and it has given me the confidence to progress onto the MCT qualification.
The ACT is delighted to have PwC as sponsor for the Diploma in Treasury Management (AMCT) prize:
PwC is proud to be working with the ACT to develop treasury talent of the future, and sponsor the Diploma in Treasury Management award. With more than 600 treasury professionals from a variety of backgrounds across 150 countries working as one global team, our people drive the development and implementation of innovative yet practical treasury solutions. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Heather Nisbet. We wish her every future success.
Certificate in Treasury Prize Winner Filip Sjoestrand
I wanted an opportunity to increase both the depth and breadth of my knowledge across all areas of treasury in parallel to my role at IKEA. ACT qualifications, with their updated syllabi and various learning resources, are an ideal way to learn new theoretical concepts combined with practical examples from the industry. My role in treasury is very broad and I am constantly exposed to new challenges. Having a solid understanding of the concepts covered in the ACT qualifications gives me the confidence to suggest ideas and solutions on a wide range of issues. This is particularly important as l work in a small team covering a diverse region like Asia-Pacific. The Certificate in Treasury also encourages me to continue my professional development which I am sure will open doors to even more interesting roles and opportunities in the future.
The ACT would like to thank National Grid for its continued support in sponsoring ACT qualifications prizes.
At National Grid, our treasury plays a vital role in supporting, creating and sustaining value in our business. In February we were delighted to receive the ACT’s 2016 UK Large Treasury Team of the Year Award. A successful treasury needs a talented team. Effective treasury management is a critical skill and, in our view, one of the best indicators of this is the ACT professional qualifications. That is why we are proud to sponsor the prize for the Certificate in Treasury. We congratulate this year’s winner of the Certificate in Treasury prize, Filip Sjoestrand
Certificate in International Cash Management Prize Winner Kunal Sukthankar
The ACT is pleased to announce Kunal Sukthankar as this year’s Certificate in International Cash Management prize winner. This globally recognised qualification enables learners from all areas, whether with a cash management remit, or a treasury focus, to become trusted experts who can provide solutions and deliver best practice in domestic and international markets.
The ACT would like to welcome HSBC as a sponsor for the qualifications prizes and we thank them for their support.
HSBC is thrilled and very proud to have the opportunity to support the ACT in its excellent work in developing future finance and treasury professionals. Passing the CertICM takes a considerable amount of time and personal investment and winning this award is a significant achievement. HSBC congratulates the winner.
Gay Pierpoint Award for ACT Bursary Student of the Year The ACT Educational Trust, which provides bursaries for students in developing countries, is delighted to announce Wisdom Akakpo as the Gay Pierpoint Award winner. This is in recognition of being the highest scoring CertTF student studying under the bursary scheme. The award is in honour of former ACT Education Secretary and ACT advocate Gay Pierpoint. Wisdom Akakpo
I wanted to build my technical expertise in treasury, my chosen career path, and looked no further than the ACT qualifications. Apart from arming myself with a strong knowledge in corporate governance, both my ACT qualifications (Certificate in Treasury Fundamentals and Certificate in Treasury) have equipped me with crucial skills in liquidity forecasting, cash management and corporate finance, amongst others. Winning the Gay Pierpoint Award for Bursary Student of the Year is an incredible honour. I am humbled and very grateful.
Stephen East, the chairman of the Educational Trust commented:
We are pleased to award Wisdom Akakpo with the Gay Pierpoint Award. To date over 75 students have progressed through the bursary scheme and we are delighted that we are able to assist students from developing countries who are unable to fund or gain sponsorship for their studies.
For more information on ACT qualifications and how they can support your career development, visit learning.treasurers.org.
