There is no denying that this has been one of the most challenging years in the Association of Corporate Treasurers’ (ACT’s) 41-year history, as we have worked to support the treasury community through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The repercussions have been far-reaching: for teams and individuals, as we have all transitioned to remote working; for the role of treasury, as our members have supported businesses through some of the most difficult times in recent memory; and for a whole range of businesses around the globe.
At the ACT we have supported learning and development with our online qualifications programme and a new range of online training modules.
We have pivoted quickly to provide virtual events to deliver the latest treasury knowledge and offer networking at a time when connecting with fellow professionals has been vital. We’re delighted that nearly 8,000 delegates from 97 countries attended our three virtual conferences this year.
Our policy and technical team have delivered the latest technical support on COVID-19, influencing the LIBOR transition and a whole host of other treasury topics that matter to you.
Play your part in promoting treasury excellence
We have worked with the treasury community through many difficult times, and as we continue to work together through this global pandemic, we welcome your continued support and urge you to:
Nearly 8,000 delegates from 97 countries attended our three virtual conferences this year
At the instigation of one of our members, we spoke to four leading treasurers about what the ACT means to them, and how they are supporting their professional body and the wider treasury community, so we could share that with you.
Here’s what James Adams, group treasurer at Chalhoub Group, Simon Neville, group treasurer at RB, Courtney Huggins, group treasurer at Logicor, and Joanna Bonnett, group treasurer at PageGroup, had to say…
JAMES ADAMS: For me there are three main areas: the educational side, the personal side and the corporate. On the educational side, I started with the AMCT Diploma, then moved on to the FCT, which gave me the strategic toolkit to add to the technical one. My team has also been studying for these qualifications and they’ve benefitted greatly. On the corporate side, there’s a big regulatory benefit. The ACT is a leading body and it’s one that we need to support as treasurers.
SIMON NEVILLE: The ACT is very important to me. I’m a member, in fact I’m a fellow of the ACT, and a number of my team study for the ACT exams. I think it represents a reciprocal of technical excellence in the treasury profession, so we value it very highly.
COURTNEY HUGGINS: It’s provided me with a lot of support in my own personal and professional development over the past 10 years. I don’t think I would be in the position I am today without the ACT’s support. There’s the technical knowledge that the ACT provides through qualifications, but there’s also the softer skills, the networking and the mentorship programme.
JOANNA BONNETT: I am an FCT and turned to the ACT some years ago, finding it was the best organisation to equip me with the skills I needed for a progressive career in treasury. I have been involved in a number of areas as a volunteer and find volunteering extremely rewarding. In addition, I find the community and networking aspects invaluable.
JA: [The ACT is] only as strong as [its] members. During COVID-19, we’ve seen online forums, we’ve shared best practice, and I think now more than ever we need to step up as treasurers and really lead in the field.
SN: We are a member of the professional association; we’ve all spent time doing the exams and networking. We just have to do things a little bit differently these days. So, I think [the ACT’s] importance remains and you have to support it where you can. Within RB, we contribute to presentations, magazines and the day-to-day operations of the ACT as well.
CH: Without the ACT, its support and the qualifications we have, what does it mean to be a treasurer? We need to support the ACT because we’re the whole reason that the ACT exists. It’s time to make sure we’re supporting the organisation with our time and resources… and one of the ways I’m doing that is to make sure I’m continuing my own personal development. I’m encouraging my team members to take their qualifications, especially during this uncertain time. You want to make sure your own CV and what you can bring to the table is future-proofed.
JB: Given all my team is already ACT-qualified, I sign them up as paid delegates for all events. This may be a small gesture, but it is how I can support the ACT given these challenging times. At the same time, it demonstrates, even in turbulent times, the importance of continual learning and the investment in individuals. My team were absolutely delighted.
Caroline Stockmann is chief executive of the ACT
This article was taken from the December 2020/January 2021 issue of The Treasurer magazine.