Events
In November, ACCA UK hosted an evening event for over 100 corporate and finance sector members, called 'Step up to the Challenge of Sustainable Accounting'. Maf Smith, director of the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) gave an introduction to climate change; Lois Guthrie, technical director, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), looked at policy instruments for addressing climate change; Andrew Flett (global head of Environmental Sustainability, Barclays) via a case study, outlined what Barclays has done to ensure that carbon is regarded both as a commercial risk but also a commercial opportunity, and Zoë Newall highlighted BP’s perspective, accounting for sustainability, embedding sustainability and reporting sustainability.
Allen Blewitt presented to over 80 ACCA members on the topic of 'The Role of the ACCA Accountant in 2020'.
Regional Business Lecture speakers included:
- Watt Nicholl
- Clive Gott
- Ruth Badger, runner up in the BBC's 'Apprentice' 2006 (ACCA event coinciding with International Women’s Day)
- Paul Heathcote - 80 members enjoyed a meal at Winckley Square Chop House in Preston, one of Paul Heathcote’s highly acclaimed restaurants.
- Andy Yeatman (Met Office)
- Peter Wheeler (CEO, Leicester Tigers)
- Karen Pickering (former Olympic swimmer)
- Roger Lewis (CEO Welsh Rugby Union).
Patrick Machray, former CEO of Johnston Carmichael, was the keynote speaker at the Aberdeen Members’ Network lunch in October. George Black, CEO of Glasgow City Council was the keynote speaker at the Glasgow Members’ Network Lunch in November.
Jim Mather, MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, and Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts, spoke at the ACCA New Syllabus Launch event in November.
Business Leader Dinners were led by Sir Simon Milton, leader of Westminster Council, Charlie Bean, chief economist and executive director, Bank of England, and Theresa Villiers, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
At the London Skills Day in February, the key note presentation was given by Darius Norell, editor of Real World, the UK’s leading graduate careers magazine.
For the second year running, ACCA sponsored the University of Edinburgh Graduate Recruitment Fair in May. Once again, this sponsorship proved an excellent way to market ACCA at this Top 30 University. Sponsorship included mentions in all fair publicity; ACCA carrier bags containing literature were given to each delegate at the door; and ACCA banner stands were displayed on each level of the fair venue. The fair was attended by nearly 1,000 graduates, 80% of whom had studied at the University of Edinburgh.
ACCA UK participated in the Women in Leadership Conference for the fifth year running to raise the profile of ACCA amongst highly talented and ambitious women. Ros Leah (head of services, ACCA UK) facilitated a panel debate, and Sara Harvey (ACCA Council member and Vice Chair of the ACCA UK Small Business Committee) presented on ‘Women in Business: Women in Self Employment’.
As part of the 75th anniversary celebration of FEE, officers and senior staff of the UK professional bodies at the Accountants Group in Germany attended an annual dinner.
Barry Payne, Maureen Chambers and Jamie Lyon joined around 300 finance directors from various organisations for the annual Finance Directors Forum in early November 2007. They engaged with 38 FDs and ACCA members and follow up is to take place with at least 15 FDs or ACCA members.
The ACCA Qualification launch event in Scotland included presentations from Allen Blewitt, Jim Mathers (MSP and Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism), and Geoff Ellis (CEO DF Concerts) and was very well received by an audience of over 50 ACCA members and guests.
32 students from wide selection of universities across the UK booked to attend the Accelerate Finalists Day held in April. The event included presentations from KPMG on 'Raising Commercial Awareness', and from ACCA on 'Becoming an ACCA student'.