You know the (almost-famous) saying: “Behind every great treasurer, there’s a great deputy.” Well, that certainly applies to the dynamic duo on the cover of the Middle East Treasurer this month.
Gary Slawther and Vineet Gupta are the force behind treasury at Oman-based packaging group OCTAL, and together they are helping to build a business. They have plenty to say about their interesting and varied roles, and the way in which they influence their company, on page 4.
One might also say that behind every great treasurer, there’s a great professional treasury qualification. Certainly, treasurers who hold either the AMCT, or the MCT, or both, tend to believe that their qualifications have played an instrumental part in their success and helped them to perform to the best of their abilities. It is for this reason that both qualifications are widely revered.
In recent years, many companies within the Middle East have embarked on a quest for professionalism as they look to equip their key personnel with the skills they need to grow the business. A drive for treasurers to hold professional qualifications is part of this quest, which is why the ACT is actively supporting the development of the profession in the region. It is also deeply committed to furthering the competence of its existing members and has launched a new Competency Framework to assist treasurers at every stage in their career. You can find out more about the framework by turning to page 21.
You may be reading this letter as you attend the 2014 ACT Middle East Annual Conference. I very much hope you enjoy the event and come away with plenty of ideas to put into practice in your professional life. At the ACT, we are grateful to all the sponsors and exhibitors who have supported the conference and helped to make it the great success that it is.
I wish you the very best and hope you enjoy this issue of the Middle East Treasurer.