CIPFA South West AGM and seminar 2015

16 March 2015

CIPFA president Mike Owen’s keynote speech addressed the challenges in the UK public sector and encouraged members with CIPFA's involvement globally. Using amusing anecdotes and some interesting developments in Bury - his own authority - he showed what CIPFA and its members can do to help the public sector achieve more with less. 

Ian Donovan who is a past president of the SW region and has served on the regional council in many other guises for the past 25 years announced his retirement from the council at the AGM.

Presenting a gift to Ian at the AGM, Danny Batten, President of the region, paid this tribute: "His knowledge of the history of both this region and CIPFA in general has been invaluable to the relatively new council that has grown in the last 12 months.  Ian, with his many contacts, has been invaluable in promoting the region and obtaining speakers for us.  His humour at meetings has never failed to lighten the mood. I have found him personally encouraging as I have got to grips with my first year as President of the region."

Esther Giles, Finance Director for Specialised Commissioning (NHS England South) and Paul Carey-Kent, CIPFA Policy Manager, Health and Social Care, spoke about health, social care and welfare reform and the issues facing the NHS and local authorities with collaborative commissioning. CIPFA is challenging all regions to engage with this process, and it created great interest amongst delegates, so a round table event is planned on this shortly in the region. 

Julie Mansfield from Colour Works held an upbeat session on how to build teams and inspire people through understanding team dynamics and individual characteristics. 

Steve Johnson, Audit Manager at Grant Thornton, said: "It turns out I am mainly blue/green which makes me a very analytical auditor and not much fun at parties - this won't be a surprise to those who know me."

As it was Red Nose Day, Vice Chairman Charles Hallows collected £120 from delegates  for Comic Relief. More events are planned throughout the year - check the SW regional website for details.

View pictures from the event on our Flickr album.