Chaired by Emilie Helps, who writes for us in this edition, FLiT’s mission is to support the younger generation of treasurers as they develop their careers and seek to build knowledge and experience in treasury functions wherever they might be in the world. For the third year running, we’ve asked the group to guide us on the issues they want to see explored within The Treasurer. On page 18, four FLiT treasurers talk us through their working lives and confirm – if confirmation were needed – that treasury really is the career for those finance professionals who want to make a difference to their organisations. On page 16, Helps explains FLiT’s mission and explores the ways in which the group seeks to support members – not least by helping to connect them to the resources that the ACT provides. Of course, it is a two-way street. As she confirms, part of the group’s function is to feed back to the ACT on the realities of today’s workplace as they affect younger professionals.
On page 17, Eugene Banja, treasurer at the African Guarantee Fund, explores how mobile innovation is helping businesses overcome the technology gap and bringing businesses, financiers and customers together. Elsewhere in this special edition, ACT chief executive Caroline Stockmann elaborates on the learnings and achievements yielded by the Association’s own Diversity and Inclusion Calendar – this appears on page 22. And on page 26, the Co-operative Group relays to journalist Rebecca Brace
how Brexit nearly derailed its green bond issuance, when Theresa May’s deal proposals were rejected by MPs at the end of last year. Nearly 12 months later, and her successor has fared little better in the Brexit versus Parliament wrangling.
In The Treasurer, we always seek to applaud the achievements of treasurers. In this edition, we are happy to provide a round-up of the winners at this year’s ACT Middle East Treasury Awards. You can find our coverage beginning on page 10.
I hope you enjoy the issue.
- Liz Loxton
