On the evening of the 31 October 2007, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) hosted the inaugural Corporate Finance qualification awards ceremony, at Chartered Accountants Hall, in Moorgate, London.

The event celebrated the success to date of the CF qualification and in particular the success of the first 1000 corporate finance practitioners to achieve the CF designation across the globe. This international alumni was duly represented at Chartered Accountants Hall by CF holders jetting in from as far a field as Indonesia, Mauritius, Kenya and Bulgaria.

Dr Madden, started the evening by revealing the extent of the International CF network "Over 1000 senior corporate financiers wearing the CF badge is a real opportunity for celebration! With CF holders now based in over 50 countries across the globe the qualification has rapidly positioned itself as an international benchmark for corporate financiers".

This point was also re-enforced by Chris Ward who was keen to announce that Deloitte "are building this Corporate Finance qualification into our core skills training programme not just in the UK but globally so that the CFq is the bedrock of our global training programme". In addition "those who have gained the qualification to date, and indeed those signing up for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma represent all shades of corporate finance life and is a testimony to the qualification's broad appeal"

Richard Murley, who prior to joining NM Rothschild & Sons was Director General of the Takeover Panel was also complimentary on the qualification's merits highlighting that "one of the many good things about this qualification is the discipline and rigour and a foundation of technical knowledge that it in-stills in professionals".

David Bowden, Managing Director of BPP Professional Education the CFq's tuition provider for the CFq stated "it was particularly fulfilling to see the first batch of UK candidates pass the Advanced stage - we're please to have played our part, but it's a testament to their own hard work and they should take great pride in what they have achieved. We look forward to many more successes in the future". A view shared by all those involved in the CFq.

Richard Murley wrapped up the evening's speeches drawing on his considerable industry experience as both poacher and gamekeeper, by stating that "in the modern world and particularly with modern regulatory pressures, organisations are increasingly feeling that it's a good idea to have a common standard and a common benchmark and that's obviously what the qualification offers to people"

For more information please contact us on +44(0)1908 248 293 or email cfqualification@icaew.com