Peter Matza is the ACT Speakers' Chair. His experience, with over 30 years in treasury, ensures the focus is always on debate and discussion which directly benefits corporate treasurers. Peter will be leading the conversations at this year’s ACT Annual Conference on 16-17 May in Manchester and we caught up with him to ask what he thinks this year’s highlights will be and why treasurers, finance and business leaders should attend.
What is your role as the ACT Annual Conference chair?
The ACT Annual Conference chair, as any conference chair, has two roles: the first is the smooth running of a large event, with the support of the events team; the second, is ensuring speakers and sessions keep to time and everyone has a good idea of the general direction in which conversations have to go.
What are you looking forward to seeing most?
The exhibition is always good value for everybody, because it's an opportunity to catch up with existing suppliers, maybe new suppliers, and talk to former colleagues and peers. There is nowhere better to keep in touch with the latest developments in a wide whole range of treasury services. The social highlight is always fun too, as well as being a great networking opportunity.
Question Time is always very lively. Over the years, we have hosted debates which have provoked some excellent discussion and, on occasion, a bit of an argument as well.
Most important are the keynote speakers who set the tone and provoke discussion, often with a much larger picture than just treasury. We have such a wide range of speakers from business leaders to futurists and economists – as well as other commentators from major institutions like the Bank of England, which adds a much wider mix to the event
This year’s theme is redefining treasury: opportunity from uncertainty. What uncertainty do you think is keeping treasurers awake at night?
I’d say two things in response to that. Business is about risk, and uncertainty. That’s why people are in it – risk and reward. Corporate treasurers, as the link between financial strategy and business strategy, are the ones who knit that together. The uncertainty which keeps them up at night is the short era of unpredictability we are experiencing. We have got Brexit, and dislocation in US politics, French and German elections. There will always be elections, but these ones have a real element of uncertainty. So there are geopolitical issues out there – but from a business possibility – Brexit. Brexit works both ways.
Which leads me to ask, how about the opportunities? Even in this uncertain environment, what should treasurers be doing and looking forward to?
Well, in the business environment, things like Brexit may provide opportunities for the UK, the rest of the EU and globally. If you also look at financial markets at the moment as well, market volatility is quite low which is another opportunity I imagine a few conversations will come out of.
Crystal ball time – what do you think treasurers at the Annual Conference will be talking about next year?
We will be much closer to answers for questions on topics like Brexit and elections this year. Some of the regulatory impacts will have come through data protection, money markets, and accounting changes. We will be much closer to UK banking ring fencing and we may see changes in and Dodd-Frank in the US and clarity on the impact this will have on us. And, if anyone can keep up with technology, good luck to them!
For treasurers who haven’t attended the Annual Conference before, what advice do you have for ensuring they get the most out of the event?
I would probably say a few things. Take some time out beforehand to decide what is important to you in terms of the keynotes, presentations, panels and workshops. You can’t go to all of them, so you really want choose the ones which are most critical to you. Secondly, take advantage of the networking opportunities, particularly after track sessions, to get the view of people who may have been in one of the other sessions you weren’t in. Thirdly, you won’t see 80+ exhibitors in one place, anywhere else in the UK, or potentially in Europe, at a curated, professional treasury association conference so make sure you spend time here.
Finally, for those who haven’t yet booked on and are thinking about doing so, why do you think they should?
If you are a corporate treasurer, or trying to ascend the ladder of corporate treasury, you currently have a job. When you go to your next interview, you need to know what’s current, what works, what people are doing, what good practice looks like, and what professional good practice looks like – you can’t get that anywhere else. It’s about your career.
For more ACT Annual Conference updates, ensure you follow #ACTAC17, @actupdate and Peter Matza @PeterMatza on Twitter. You can also view the latest programme and details on booking here.
I’ve just joined the ACT team. If you have any questions, suggestions or ideas for interesting content or events you want to attend please get in touch with me on LinkedIn or Twitter, @jhbb