There is always something poignant about anniversaries. That’s because they are invariably a time when you look backwards to an event that has helped to shape the person that you have become today. Sometimes that event will have been obviously momentous at the time – getting married, for example, or having a baby. Sometimes, however, it will have been an event that seemed fairly unremarkable when it took place, but has since gone on to hold great significance – such as a chance meeting with someone who was to later become your boss. This issue marks my third anniversary of having edited The Treasurer. As anniversaries go, it somehow manages to encompass both the categories I have described above. The July/August 2012 issue of The Treasurer marked the relaunch of the magazine and, for me, it officially marked my return to the workplace after having my second child. It also provided the ideal introduction to the exciting world of treasury and helped me to develop a whole new skill set as a writer and as an editor. Over the past three years, I have learned an enormous amount – not least what a tri-party repo is. I have also had the privilege of meeting many interesting and inspiring people. I have always found the treasury community very welcoming and I would like to thank you all for that. Moving on to the content in this issue of The Treasurer, you will see that we have another packed issue for you. Our cover feature is focused on the hot topic of geopolitical risk – a topic that was explored at the ACT’s Annual Conference in May. What do you need to know about geopolitical risks and what – if anything – can you do to manage them? We find out on page 18. In this issue, we also meet two female treasurers who play a critical role in supporting the growth of Dubai-based shopping mall pioneer Majid Al Futtaim. They talk about the buzz they get from having strategic input into the company’s expansion plans, on page 24. Personal development is an ongoing concern for many treasurers, which is why we examine the positive impact that executive coaching can have on your career, on page 40. It wouldn’t be right for me to sign off without wishing you a lovely summer. Hopefully, this copy of The Treasurer will be among your holiday reading.
