As CEO of AJ Bell, Michael Summersgill FCCA has made it to the highest rung of the career ladder. Investment platforms, increasingly used by consumers and financial advisers to access retail investment products and manage investments online, hold over £800bn of investment assets for 8.2 million customers in the UK alone – and AJ Bell is one of the largest, with assets of £86.5bn under administration and 542,000 customers. Find out what opportunities Summersgill sees in the market and how he has used his professional skills to steer the company to success.
A fascinating, if perhaps frightening, notion explored in this month’s edition is the rise – or otherwise – of ‘network states’. Formed around shared interests, goals and ideas that operate outside the reach of traditional governmental control, could these digital states ultimately seek to challenge national governments?
As we reach the end of the year, we look back at the slings and arrows that have come the way of public services in 2024. Find out more about how two governments have kept finance professionals in the sector on their toes by taking different approaches to funding.
Our seasonal coverage includes a look at how different cultures celebrate new year, as shared by members around the world. In our careers section this month there’s also a feature on avoiding the post-holiday blues, with advice on how to minimise the negative effects and reset yourself for the work routine. And if you’re looking for a new direction in 2025, read our article about why ACCA members make good non-executive directors.
Finally, if you’re after some lighter reading, take a look at our special edition. From money museums to Marvel superheroes, billionaires to Vegas residencies, find out something new about finance.
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