The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a leader in the accountancy and finance profession, has launched a Middle East network of its Corporate Finance Faculty, offering professionals working in corporate finance across the region access to the latest technical information, networking opportunities and a platform for exchanging experiences with peers both in the Middle East and across the world.
The ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty Middle East network was launched during an event at the Novotel Al Dana Resort in Manama, Bahrain, on 20 September. It was attended by a number of professionals from the world of accountancy, corporate finance, corporate banking, investment banking, private equity and corporate law across the region. The launch event also incorporated a round-table debate on the challenges facing the banking sector in the Middle East post-crisis, chaired by banking sector expert Mr Khalil Nooruddin, with panellists Patrick Gallagher of HSBC, Lloyd Williams of Gulf Finance House, Niels Lorijn of Oasis Capital Bank and Robert Ainey of the Bahrain Association of Banks. Robert Hodgkinson FCA, ICAEW Executive Director, gave the closing address.
Amanda Line ACA, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, said: "Highly qualified professionals with thorough knowledge of financing and restructuring of businesses will play a key role in the continued growth of the Middle Eastern economies".
"The ICAEW is keen to create platforms for finance professionals to exchange expertise and learn from peers. The launch of the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty in the Middle East is one of many initiatives ICAEW is engaged in across the region."
The ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty's Middle East network's activity will be championed by two highly experienced corporate financiers; Peter Petyt ACA, Partner, BDO Bahrain, and Chris Ward ACA, Chief Executive of Deloitte Corporate Finance in Dubai and a former Faculty chairman.
Peter Petyt said: "Staying on top on any developments is important to do a good job in any industry and profession but for corporate financiers it is absolutely critical. Having access to a forum where experiences and knowledge can be shared and discussed with peers is of enormous benefit to any professional."
"The ICAEW Corporate Finance Faulty provides a 'meeting place' for people in all types of corporate finance roles across the region, providing networking opportunities as well as access to the latest in technical information, providing an opportunity to continue their professional development throughout their career."
The definition of corporate finance varies across the world but the term tends to be associated with transactions in which capital is raised in order to create, develop, grow or acquire businesses. The faculty activity is thus relevant to everybody who is engaged in advising growing businesses on raising finance, mergers & acquisitions, restructuring and preparing businesses for stock exchange listings whether they are advisors, accountants, investors, bankers, lawyers or business leaders.
The ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty is open for both ICAEW members and non-members. It has over 5,000 individual members and more than 80 member firms from across the world.
More information on how to become a member of the Corporate Finance Faculty and engage in its activity in the Middle East can be found on www.icaew.com/middleeast.
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As a world leading professional accountancy body, ICAEW provides leadership and practical support to over 134,000 members in more than 160 countries, working with Government, regulators and industry in order to ensure the highest standards are maintained.
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Contact Kirstina Reitan, email: kirstina.reitan@icaew.com, tel: +44 (0)207 920 8607
© Press Release 2010
