ACT Annual Conference, May 2019 Day 2 There are some who think that the second day of this conference is a much more relaxed affair. While this might be true in terms of finding one’s way around the session rooms, the exhibition hall and meeting the people you just couldn’t see on day one, it absolutely is not in terms of being switched on and ready to work! The formal conference kicked off with Rhys Phillips, Head of Sterling Markets at the Bank of England. In his presentation and q& a session that followed, the ACT was praised for its long-standing and positive relationship with the Bank. There was also a plea however for the ACT and corporates to widen that relationship in two key areas: the replacement for LIBOR and the use of the Global FX and money market codes. The range of questions however suggest that the corporate audience remains a tad sceptical about the plans for the former and the real need for the latter. Either side of the coffee break there were mixed tracks and treasury fringe sessions including presentations on de-risking pensions, managing payments and working capital, financial risk in M&A deals, and career development. In addition the ACT formally launched its new Business of Treasury research report with a highlights show that was pleasingly well attended. Well, I should be able to draw at least a modest crowd by now although it could all have down to my co-presenter, our very own David Coulson, business development manager A series of corporate case studies followed lunch. With due respect to other industry practitioners, real time experiences (mostly good, sometimes painful!) from leading treasurers cannot be beaten and all six sessions were deservedly busy. I’m never sure if delegates are more pleased to know someone else has had their problem or that someone has found the solution they’ve been looking for. Either way, hugely successful and I’m sure they’ll score highly on the feedback.
Great to have #Sustainability as such a strong theme at this years #ACTAC19 conference for #treasurers pic.twitter.com/1D8ytfSvdA — Helen Slinger (@HelenSlinger) May 22, 2019
An interactive audience poll reveals that approximately a third of the delegates present are not fully up to speed with #OpenBanking NatWest's Head of Open Banking, Dan Globerson, says the vote is pretty representative with what he's witnessed in practice. #ACTAC19 #NWPayments — NatWest Commercial (@NatWestComm) May 22, 2019
And so to the close. To my knowledge this was the first time the conference has been addressed by a neuro-scientist. We’ve been remiss judging by the attention paid by a more than usual number of delegates for our closing keynote. Susan Greenfield gave us a crash course in the science and an analysis of her concern that the digital age has dangers for societal interaction and interpersonal development. Thought-provoking, challenging and a cracking end to the 2019 annual conference.
@actupdate #actac19 #actweare40 Brilliant final session of conference from neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield about brain cell responses. Use it or lose it. Connections give deeper meaning over time. Dementia is the journey backwards where connectio…https://t.co/i85UzFzXl8 — caroline stockmann (@carolinesSCI) May 22, 2019
And next year? We’re on our way back to Wales, Celtic Manor for the old schoolers, now the brand spanking new ICC Wales. Welwn ni chi yno!
Congratulations to our Treasury Hunt prize winners at #ACTAC19! 1st prize Dave Burnside - 2nd Fiona Rose - 3rd Shujat Mirza - presented by Agnes Favillier, ACT Deputy President! Well done! pic.twitter.com/jsYjSkjoOw — ACT Update (@actupdate) May 22, 2019
