An article from today's Times just caught my eye - Business looks to the numbers man for a leader it can count on in times of trouble - and it's good news for you CIMA folks out there.

Not to put too fine a point on it, being a CFO is proving to be a good route to the CEO job.  As you all probably know (well, you should do!) finance people have a really good understanding of the business.  What matters as well though is leadership experience of running a key part of the business.  So for you aspiring CEOs out there, you need to think about spending some time in a generalist role to add this extra dimension to your CV.

Interestingly, the article goes one step further and points out that increasing pressure for financial expertise on boards means that finance professionals are also in demand for non-executive positions - and in some cases, these non-executives become company chairmen.  Makes sense when you think about it.  A finance background gives you the ability to understand what information is needed to drive the business and to be able to ask awkward questions about what is actually happening.  At a time when many are saying that boards need to develop the ability to challenge executive management more effectively, it seems that finance professionals make great candidates for the NED role.

By the way, I noticed that one comment relating to the article suggested that the only strategic role of the CFO related to treasury, hedging and cash management.  Surely some mistake!  I think you'd agree that this is a pretty narrow view and I've done my best to put matters right!