President's Welcome
Welcome to the TMA UK website
It is with great pleasure and a great sense of optimism that I assumed the role of President of TMA (UK) at the turn of this year - pleasure both personally and professionally. Personally, because I enjoy the debate and challenge that comes from an organisation which encompasses members from a multiplicity of different backgrounds coming together with a common aim. Professionally because it strikes me that, together, our skills will be instrumental in saving jobs and creating value where previously it might have been lost. And optimism because, in difficult times, I believe those skills will be called upon more and more often to accomplish exactly that aim.
The TMA, it is worth remembering, is an organisation which welcomes members from all parts of the corporate recovery market. We bring together accountants and equity houses, lawyers and corporate finance specialists, valuers and bankers and even unions and members of Her Majesty’s government. Our annual 30+ CPD accredited events attracting some 2,000 bookings last year, offer members and prospective members around the UK in depth insights into an enormous range of subjects delivered by speakers who are at the pinnacle of their field. We believe our annual conference is second to none.
At a time when one of the great dangers to commerce is increasing isolationism, the TMA is a truly global organisation with some 10,000 members worldwide in 19 countries (11 of which are in Europe with an additional 2 in formation in Poland and Russia) and an ability to source expertise where it is needed, when it is needed.
Our Members and Sponsors are the foundation of our organisation. It is through them that we are able to provide a forum for the whole of the turnaround and corporate recovery market where ideas can be discussed and debated, where learning can be shared and refined and where business opportunities can be identified and seized.
By becoming involved in TMA (UK), they benefit not only from a connection with the brand of the only internationally based association of its kind in the UK and access to the members area of the website, but also from the educational and networking opportunities which accompany our regular programme of high quality events staged all around the country. At our conference in November, 2012, the launch of the European Association of Certified Turnaround Professionals (EACTP) was announced. EACTP will be the first truly industry wide qualification for turnaround professionals. Rigorous and exam based, it will reflect the values of the inclusivity and the international nature of the TMA - it will be open to all turnaround professionals from across the industry and it will be available in jurisdictions across the continent. We will be working towards the EACTP becoming a recognised kite mark – a recognised standard for turnaround professionals.
In 2013, with due deference to the Chinese, we will be living in interesting times! Triple dip recession, Euro crisis, fiscal cliff, the path to global recovery – all these will be defining themes of the year which will impact on our businesses. The values the TMA holds – of inclusivity, of co-operation, of international partnership and of quality will stand us in good stead to meet the challenges of 2013 head on to deal with them in a way which leads to profitable outcomes for all involved.
Chris Hart
President TMA (UK)
Lloyds TSB, Commercial Finance