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Editor’s Note Editor’s Note Hello and welcome to Finance Monthly’s first ever issue of 2014!
Firstly, I would like to wish you a very happy New Year and invite you join us over the coming months for what promises to be the best year in Finance Monthly’s history. From now until the end of December we’ll be bringing you quality content, expert analysis and immersive interviews from the epicentre of the financial and corporate world. 2014 starts here!
Here’s what we have in store for you this month.
Head over to our news pages and you’ll see that according to the CFO Capital Confidence Barometer results released by EY, 55% of finance executives say their companies are focused on growth, which marks the highest figure since October 2011, when 61% were intent on growing. What’s more, 60% of chief financial officers believe that the global economy is improving, a significant increase from 26% just one year ago. This renewed focus on growth is largely driven by an uptick in their confidence in the global economy.
With the marked growth in confidence among CFOs, this month we’re taking a look at the evolving role of the chief financial officer within large businesses.
In a global study carried out by American Express, it was discovered that in the UK alone two-thirds (66%) of CFOs agree that the experience of the recent global economic downturn has enhanced the finance function’s profile and influence within their own companies. The results also found that there is growing trend of CFOs being called upon to empower change, innovation and international growth.
As the capacity of the chief financial officer’s role expands, does the New Year mark the dawn of the SuperCFO? Flip to our Special Features to find out just what 2014 has in store for the new hero of business.
All in all, it certainly looks to be a big year for many and one development that’s set to shake things up in the United Kingdom is the September- scheduled Scottish referendum for independence. The pending vote has already resulted in nationwide debate as the UK and Scottish Governments go head-to-head to see who can out-shout the other on the pros or cons of the significant move. As for the public who will decide the outcome of the referendum, a call for a balanced perspective from each government seems to be going largely unanswered.
However, this is a decision that does not begin and end with the UK and Scotland, but rather has a much wider implication on global industries and the worldwide economy. One such implication falls on the oil and gas industry, and in a Special Feature from Bond Dickinson, Kenny Paton stresses that a “yes-vote” on independence will result in a significant local and global focus on the formation of the world’s newest “oil state” and how it will affect the local and global players in the North Sea.
On top of this, following a Government decision to sell off nearly £900m of loans for a bid of £160m, we bring you a piece that examines the value of financial auction technology when it comes to improving returns on secondary market asset sales. In addition, we have a host of interesting features on subjects including Global Tax, Discretionary Fund Management, and Forensic Accounting. I hope you enjoy this issue. If you’re not already following us Twitter find us @Finance_Monthly along with more news and developments within the corporate and financial world.
Mark Palmer Executive Editor
PUBLISHER Parity Media Limited
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mark Palmer
PRODUCTION MANAGER Emma Tansey production@finance-monthly.com
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