CA magazine: July/August 2022
By Sarah Speirs, ICAS Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communication
6 July 2022
In response to the cultural and economic shifts which have occurred over the last two and a half years, leaders at all levels have been pushed to evolve, both personally and professionally. In this month’s issue, ICAS delves into the theme of Finance + Leadership, exploring the leadership skills required to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos in May, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined the event’s Chairman Klaus Schwab in a discussion of the changing culture of work. Businesses must now “earn our right to continue as a business”, he observed, adding that leaders need to build their “caring muscle”. It sums up the fascinating shift that has been taking place across business about the very concept of capitalism and, of course, leadership. And it’s the latter that we focus on in this issue.
In contrast to the long-held view that leadership needs to be brutal, the pandemic has shown the opposite to be the case – that kind leadership is more compelling. Pinky Lilani has been championing this power for decades. She is an extraordinarily inspiring woman and one I have long admired – you’ll see why when you read the interview with her. Nurturing leadership is also of great interest to Saïd Business School’s Andrew White, who talks to Christian Koch about the external factors that have changed the business landscape so radically and have meant today’s leaders need very different skills from those of a decade ago.
Our leadership at ICAS has also changed in recent months. I am delighted to welcome some new colleagues to our senior leadership team – Robert Mudge, Executive Director, Regulation; Chris Barber CA, CFO; Gail Boag, Executive Director, Learning; and Laura Butcher, Director of Engagement and Brand. I am sure you will be hearing more from them in upcoming issues of CA magazine. As well as making our own leadership super-fit for the present, we are keeping an eye on 2030 and deep-diving into the skills and attributes the CAs of the future will need to keep their businesses competitive and agile. One such – leadership in a hybrid world – is covered inside. I hope you find it useful.
Enjoy the issue.
For more, visit our Finance + Leadership hub
