The ACT’s sixth annual Cash Management Conference, "Making Cash Pay”, sponsored by Barclays Corporate, proved itself to be the most successful event in the series.
Over 160 delegates heard from 20 speakers, offering no fewer than 12 corporate treasury presentations, with topics ranging from case studies of overall corporate cash management to indepth and specific examination of supply chain finance techniques.
In many ways the treasurer has become the last man standing, the interpreter for many of the ups and downs of the credit crisis, both in an academic sense and formally in how the markets have impacted – and will continue to impact – their businesses and organisations. In this sense it is vital that individuals take the opportunities available to refresh and develop their skills and knowledge in treasury management. It is gratifying therefore that even in the current difficult economic climate, delegates were able to engage with this topic for the full two days of the conference. The importance to delegates of being able to take advantage of industry developments and the experience of treasurers and practitioners, as reflected in their presentations, and the question and answer and panel sessions, was clearly evident in the discussions during the plenary sessions as well as during the networking breaks.
Through its events, training courses, publications (notably the Cash Management Supplement) and especially its qualifications – particularly the Certificate in International Cash Management – the ACT provides a thorough understanding of international cash management operations and the techniques for optimising cashflow efficiency. In addition there is no question that the focus on corporate treasurers sharing their knowledge and experiences is what brings the added value to everything the ACT does for its members, students and all those with whom the ACT interacts. The ACT would like to thank sponsor, Barclays Corporate, and the conference exhibitors for their support for the conference and this report.
Barclays Corporate is delighted to have sponsored the conference and this accompanying report. Barclays is committed not only to providing innovative and effective cash management solutions to corporates but also to ensuring that the issues and challenges facing corporates and service providers are fully debated for the benefit of all participants in the cash management industry.
Peter Matza
Head of Publishing, ACT
Vivek Ramachandran
Head of Cash & Trade
Barclays Corporate