Unlike criticism, which is normally dispensed fairly freely in life, recognition can be hard to get. Unless you happen to be a gold medal-winning Olympic athlete, a Hollywood movie star or a self-made billionaire, of course.
So when you and your team are bent over your laptops long after everyone else has left the office, notching up the hours on that major acquisition, bond issuance or funding facility, there may be times when you wonder if anyone has noticed all that effort that you’re putting in. Who, but you and your colleagues, and hopefully the CFO, will know about the days you’ve dedicated to poring over the small print or the exhaustive emails you’ve drafted to the banks?
It is in recognition of the exceptional efforts undertaken by treasurers throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council region that the ACT started its Middle East Deals of the Year Awards, now in their fourth year. When they review the entries, the judges look for ‘excellence in treasury’, which might mean an exceptionally well-priced or innovatively structured bond issuance, or a team that boasts outstanding technical and communication skills.
This year’s winners and runners-up have been rightly recognised for their outstanding treasury expertise in an uncertain financial and political climate. And they are some of the brightest stars in a profession that continues to enhance its reputation in the Middle East. I hope you take inspiration from their stories in our coverage that starts on page 9.
You may have noticed that this issue of the Middle East Treasurer looks different from those that have gone before. That’s because, following reader research, the ACT has relaunched the title in association with Think, a leading publisher for professional organisations.
Enjoy the Awards Dinner and give yourself a good pat on the back. You deserve it.