Who's Speaking?

Alison qualified as a chartered public finance accountant in 1996. She started her career in private sector audit, moved on to the South Birmingham Health Authority in 1991, the West Midlands Police Authority in 1994 and finally local government in 1998 where her role changed from audit to accountancy and financial management.

Bill Roots was Chief Executive and Director of Finance of Westminster City Council 1994-2000. He was previously Director of Finance and Deputy Managing Director from November 1990 to February 1994.

Previously employed in senior management in the aluminium and stainless steel industry. Sales and Purchasing Was a Parish Councillor for nine years, four as chairman and served on a number of the councils committees.

David Caplan has been Director of Research at the Audit Commission since November 2006. A statistician by training, David had previously worked in official statistics, specialising in macroeconomic statistics.

Luke Webster is the treasury manager for the Greater London Authority and is currently engaged in devising an optimal borrowing strategy to support the GLA's £4.1bn contribution to Crossrail.

Mandy worked in Local Government finance for over 20 years. Initially she specialised in Social Services finance, then moved into the technical area and spent the last 5 years as Chief Accountant.

Mat is Principal Accountant in the Treasury and Pensions Group at Warwickshire County Council. He has been at Warwickshire since 1995, his role involves treasury management and pension fund investment. He is a member of the ACCA and AAT.

Phil Triggs has been Group Manager for Treasury and Pensions at Warwickshire County Councils since October 2003. He is responsible for treasury management, pension fund investment and administration.

Richard Fenech is an independent Investment Consultant of over 20 years and runs a boutique advisory practice in West Sussex, looking after the needs of Private Clients, Trustees and family Pension schemes.