Our main interview this month is with the CFO of Skanska UK. Meliha Duymaz FCCA talks about how the Swedish construction giant is coping with operating in an economy that has been sluggish, at best, for a decade. If the government’s investment plans go ahead, Duymaz sees benefits for the economy and the construction sector. But much will depend on what the UK government’s comprehensive spending review reveals later this year.
We also take a look at what is playing on the minds of CEOs. Uppermost – surprise, surprise – is the adoption of artificial intelligence. According to PwC’s CEO Survey, 42% of CEOs globally believe that their companies will not be viable beyond the next 10 years without reinvention. Find out more on this but also about their concerns around skills shortages, inflation and other potential threats to business.
In practice news, the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA 5000) was published this month with the aim of establishing a global baseline for ethics and independence in sustainability assurance engagements. We look at the key requirements.
We also interview Jean Bouquot, the new president of the International Federation of Accountants, who has set out his agenda for his term of office. One of the current major talking points – how finance professionals are helping to drive sustainability transformation – is seeing the global economy moving in a new direction. Bouquot points out the importance of ‘not building different tracks and different systems that would not be compatible’.
In addition, we look at the ongoing struggles being endured by businesses in the agricultural sector and how members are supporting their clients through the tough times.
In stark contrast, we consider how billionaires have outperformed equity markets in the past 10 years, with their total wealth increasing by 121% over this period. Find out more about who is doing well, and how, in different parts of the world.
Finally, in our public sector coverage, we look at the government’s plans for English devolution, which mark the largest transfer of power from Westminster in modern times. The jury is out on what this might mean, but fears are already being raised that the proposals could result in the centralising rather than localising of power.
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