Welcome To Our New CEO

Geoff Rankin ended his term as CEO of CPA Australia on Friday October 9 and Alex Malley commenced as CEO on Monday October 12.

Geoff indicated to the Board early in 2009 that he wished to retire, having successfully guided CPA Australia for several years. Under Geoff’s leadership, CPA Australia achieved a great many things. Geoff’s wise counsel was highly valued by the Board, and on behalf of the Board I wish Geoff all the best as he sets out to kick new goals.

Given his involvement with CPA Australia for well over 20 years, Alex Malley is already known to many members, to staff, and to the Board. His passion for the organisation is clearly evident, a fact that those who meet him often comment on. I feel most confident that CPA Australia will continue to build on its many strengths with Alex at the helm. Alex hit the ground running on Monday and has already spent considerable time meeting with members during both Vic and NSW Congresses during the week, and with staff at CPA Australia HQ in Melbourne.

A night with AICD

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a dinner in Hong Kong hosted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

The dinner was to celebrate the International Company Directors Course that the AICD is running in Hong Kong.

Maureen Monckton, General Manager, Director & Board Development, AICD, was exceedingly kind in welcoming me to the dinner as a representative of CPA Australia.

Maureen and her colleague Fiona had clearly worked hard to ensure that the night was a great success. Maureen spoke briefly to group about the AICDs very exciting plans for development. Maureen and I also shared some casual thoughts and ideas on ways in which the AICD and CPA Australia might further cooperate in the future. To consider doing so makes a lot of sense given the overlap in our membership, and given our shared commitment to improving the management of companies, particularly in the area of financial reporting and management.

I was delighted to find many friends among the course attendees, including my CPA Australia Board colleague Mark Grey, as well as senior members of other organisations. The course attracted a stellar group with attendees travelling from all over the region to attend – kudos to the AICD.

Jamie Allen, Secretary General of the Asian Corporate Governance Association, was guest speaker. Jamie has fascinating insights into the challenges to getting corporate governance “right” in Asia. It is well worth getting along to hear Jamie speak on the subject if ever you get chance. Few know more about corporate governance than Jamie, particularly as it relates to happenings in Asia.

Suzanne Ardagh, State Manager, AICD Western Australia, first connected me to AICD when she visited Hong Kong in July. I must thank Suzanne for working to bring our organisations closer together. There is much that we have in common. As I wrote in a previous blog entry regarding Austcham in Hong Kong, our friendship with organisations such as AICD and Austcham creates reciprocal value for members of both bodies & helps CPA Australia achieve its many goals particularly as they relate to advocacy, professional development, and community outreach.