Could a robot do your job? It’s a slightly unnerving question and one that is exercising the best minds. Even though we’ve yet to see the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution in full flood, far less witness this potentially transformative technology in effective partnership with other emerging innovations such as advanced analytics, we’ve probably seen and read enough to understand the possibilities and to know that the bulk of routine finance work is unlikely to make it as far as dignified old age. Should it worry us? Not according to our lead feature on page 26. Strip away the hype and, as Sally Percy argues, AI is full of possibilities – capable of bringing enhancements to treasury operations that won’t detract from treasurers’ own analytical skills – far less their intuitive ones. Indeed, it seems likely that treasurers will find themselves in an enhanced role, freed up to manage the exceptional issues – the ones where their judgement is the deciding factor. No Luddites here. For our profile this month, we delve into the fascinating world of housing trusts. Rohan Gunatillake swapped a stockbroking career in Sri Lanka for treasury roles in a sector that has become pivotal to the UK housing scene. Housing associations, regulated by government and partially funded by the public purse, straddle the private and public sectors, and provide ample occasions for treasury minds to shine. Our profile of him features on page 22. The ACT is justly proud of its high achievers and more than ready to applaud high-performing individuals and teams. This month, we celebrate in words and pictures the Deals of the Year Awards winners in our write-up of Awards night at Banking Hall, London, which took place at the beginning of last month. You’ll find this on page 10. Exceptional performance is not reached without support along the way, and on page 20, we take a detailed look at the ACT’s mentoring programme and what it brings both mentor and mentee. This valuable support mechanism has proved rewarding for all those involved. All this plus international assignments, game theory and our regular technical updates. I hope you enjoy the issue. Liz Loxton, Editor
