The Audit Group's Weekend School returned to Shrigley Hall for 2008, with delegates looking forward to a weekend of learning, networking, fire drills (hopefully not this time!) and team building. Also some great opportunities to relax and socialise in a high quality environment with some fantastic facilities and organised entertainment for the formal dinner on Saturday.

The weekend started with the John Speakman Memorial Lecture on Friday evening, with Mick Earle from Wild Track, in his session entitled "Living Dreams and Challenging Fate", encouraging delegates to be proactive, use their initiative and aim for high standards of achievement.

The Saturday sessions were opened by Ged Murphy, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, providing an insight into "Shared Services -  a Vision for the Future ?". Ged used the development of  the Regional Control Centres as a real life example of joined up working to create improved services and efficiencies, drawing a parallel with other public sector back office (and some front line) services as potential, perhaps obvious areas to further expand this agenda.

Jane Brighouse from St. Helens Council then explained about "Internal Audit's Role in the Delivery of Major Projects". By reference to St. Helens' Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, Jane outlined the major stages of the programme and advised auditors to make sure they are involved as they can make a real contribution in helping to achieve some major service improvements.

Paul Peng from Knowsley Council then presented a session entitled "Equality and Diversity -  What do they Mean to You ?" which outlined the importance of ensuring equality and diversity issues are included as a component of all major decisions and processes.

The afternoon was scheduled as free time, but over half of the delegates took up the opportunity to compete in the Da Vinci Challenge, arranged by Mick Earle of Wild Track.  Teams were selected to compete in an organised Treasure Hunt, which involved finding clues, using initiative and cunning in undertaking team tasks, answering questions, making new friends and revealing competitive natures and leadership skills that may have otherwise remained undiscovered.   All participants agreed it was an excellent event and provided a great opportunity to meet and work with other delegates.

The Gala Dinner was an elegant occasion, enhanced by many delegates in stunning evening dresses or James Bond style tuxedos and black ties. There were team prizes, raffle prizes and wine from our Sponsors (John Barker (Consulting) and Sellicks Recruitment), followed by a comedian (a very cheeky man), organised dancing to a live ceilidh band and rounded off with a disco.

Showing traditionally high levels of resilience, delegates assembled on Sunday morning to hear Nathan Jackson of NCC Group, provide some chilling warnings about how (nearly) everyone is routinely providing information to  potential fraudsters, in his presentation "Data Security and Information Theft -  Are You in Safe Hands?"

Closing session was Neil Hunter of Leeds City Council talking about "The Audit Learning Centre - Improving Performance", providing some incisive thoughts on the future requirements for Internal Audit sections and ensuring staff have the right skills and attributes to enable the service to add some real value.

All of this for £225!?  Where on earth can you get better value for money ??.

Overall, a highly successful event with some excellent speakers and facilities, albeit with slightly reduced numbers (approx 100 delegates).  The organisers express their thanks to the Hotel and their staff, all the event sponsors (Sellick Partnership, John Barker Consulting, PWC and KPMG), speakers who took time out of their busy schedules, delegates for their interest and involvement, and employers for their ongoing support for the Group's events.

Feedback

Were you there?  Please give us your feedback on the Weekend School via our On-Line Feedback Survey.  All responses made by Friday, 28th March 2008 will be entered into a prize draw for a £25 high-street store gift voucher.