Mike Owen

I began work in the NHS in 1979, qualified in 1986 while at Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, moved to Bury in 1986 as an accountant, worked through the ranks to be chief accountant and then moved to Oldham MBC as assistant treasurer in 1995. I returned to Bury in 1997, and am currently director of finance and e-government.

I began my other ‘career’ as a CIPFA volunteer in the early 1980s as a member of the North West and North Wales Students’ Society. Following its merger with the regional society, I became students services officer on the new regional council. I held this post for a number of years before becoming a corporate member of the council, finally becoming regional representative on CIPFA’s national Council in 2005.

I’ve also spent the past ten years as a P3 project examiner on the Leeds Panel.

Volunteering is a great way of giving something back to the CIPFA family, and for me it’s a matter of great pride to be involved with my Region, where we have a thriving audit group, a strong senior managers’ group and a very active students’ forum.

Working together through the council, these groups each play their part in providing high-quality seminars and events across the Region – which, in turn, provide platforms for CIPFA members from all walks of life to get together to learn, develop and play.

I also know that the NW&NW isn’t alone in this and that the same is true of all the other Regions around the country.

Having said this, it isn’t all work (honest). I’ve also met some amazing people through my work with the Region… people who have inspired me and people who have become life-long friends – and had some great social experiences, from dinner at the Guildhall to a kebab on the sea wall at Douglas in the Isle of Man.

It’s a great honour to become chair of the Board for the Regions and I hope that I can build on the brilliant job done by my predecessor, Brian Roberts. The strength of the Regions is critical to CIPFA’s continued success, and the role they play as providers of educational and social events. As a first line
of communication with members and students they can’t be underestimated, but we can’t afford to sit back.

For me, one of the most interesting things that came out of the merger debate was the size, strength (and yes, funding) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ regional structure and I am keen that we build on the positive lessons that came out of this debate.

During my term of office I have set myself two key goals. First, working through the Regions, I want to encourage as many people as possible to become CIPFA volunteers. Second, I want the Regions to help CIPFA build on the positive relations that were forged during the merger talks by developing good examples of local joint working with ICAEW colleagues.

They say that volunteering is second only to dancing as the source of greatest joy (although, if I’m honest, watching Sale Sharks at Twickenham in May as they become this year’s rugby Premiership Champions probably ranks slightly higher up the list, as does visiting New York), but there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that volunteering for CIPFA has helped me grow as a person and a professional.

I also hope that all employers reading this recognise the importance of volunteer activities. Personally I’d like to publicly acknowledge my employers, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, for being forward-thinking enough to allow me the time to work for CIPFA. I also want to say a massive thank you to every single regional officer and volunteer for everything they’ve done and continue to do for the Institute.

Mike Owen