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Have you ever been told to keep your head down, work hard, and let your good work speak for itself? It sounds like solid advice. It’s also, according to Kingsley Aikins, pretty much the worst career guidance you can get!

In this episode of Difference Makers Discuss, host Sinéad Donovan sits down with Kingsley Aikins, author of Networking Matters, founder of the iconic Lansdowne Club in Sydney, and the man who spent 21 years building one of the world’s great philanthropic networks for Ireland.

The conversation is warm, honest, and packed with practical wisdom that will make you rethink how you approach your career and your connections.

Kingsley Aikins, Good work doesn’t speak for itself… But you can!

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DMD Season4 Ep6: Kingsley Aikins - Good work doesn't speak for itself... But you can.

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For a decade, Chartered Accountants Worldwide has been uniting professionals across the globe—championing trust, integrity and excellence in everything we do. This short anniversary film celebrates our journey so far, the positive impact of our community, and the exciting future we’re building together. Here’s to the first 10 years… and many more to come.

Chartered Accountants Worldwide: 10 Years of trust, impact & connection

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Three Big Themes Shaping the Future of Business and Finance

The latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update explores three stories that highlight how the role of finance professionals is evolving in a rapidly changing world.

The Power of Human Connection

One of the standout conversations in Episode 41 features entity["people","Aster Thackeray"] Chair of the CA ANZ UK Regional Council and a professional whose career demonstrates that success in business is about far more than technical expertise.

From helping international companies invest in Italy through the Italian Trade Agency to building a thriving community initiative in Greenwich during the pandemic, Aster’s story shows how relationship-building, cultural awareness, and community engagement can become powerful professional assets.

Her message is clear: technical qualifications open doors, but the ability to connect people creates lasting impact.

Is GDP Still Measuring Real Progress?

The episode also examines growing criticism of GDP as the world’s dominant measure of economic success.

While GDP captures economic activity, it often ignores environmental damage, inequality, and social wellbeing. Alternative frameworks such as the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), the Human Development Index (HDI), and Doughnut Economics are gaining attention as organisations and governments search for more sustainable ways to measure progress.

For finance professionals, this debate is increasingly important as sustainability reporting and ESG metrics become central to decision-making.

Electric Vehicles and the Road to Net Zero

The final story focuses on how businesses are using electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce emissions and support net zero strategies.

Although challenges remain — including charging infrastructure, upfront investment costs, and operational logistics — many organisations see fleet electrification as a practical and measurable step toward reducing Scope 1 emissions.

For finance and sustainability teams, success depends on balancing environmental goals with operational realities and long-term financial planning.

Looking Ahead

Episode 41 highlights a common theme across all three stories: the future of business will require professionals who can combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, sustainability awareness, and strong human relationships.

As the role of chartered accountants continues to evolve, these conversations offer valuable insight into the skills and ideas shaping the profession’s future.

Episode 41: Three Big Themes Shaping the Future of Business and Finance

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Rethinking the Chartered Accountancy Career Path

What does a Chartered Accountancy career really look like today? If you still picture a linear path through audit firms and finance departments, the latest episode of the Chartered Accountants Global Update offers a refreshing challenge to that assumption.

Episode 40 highlights the story of Aster Thackery, a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand member whose career has crossed industries, countries, and cultures. From promoting international investment with the Italian Trade Agency to building a thriving community network in southeast London, Aster’s journey shows how adaptable and globally relevant the profession has become.

One of the most compelling themes from the episode is the importance of cultural awareness in modern professional life. Aster reflects on the differences between New Zealand and Italian business culture, emphasising how understanding communication styles and workplace expectations can strengthen international relationships. Her recommendation of The Culture Map by Erin Meyer reinforces a growing reality for professionals today: technical expertise alone is no longer enough.

The episode also explores leadership beyond the workplace. After moving to Greenwich and knowing very few people locally, Aster created a simple coffee meetup for parents that has since grown into a community of more than 2,000 members. Her experience highlights the value of initiative, connection, and creating spaces where others can thrive.

Alongside Aster’s story, the episode introduces two important professional resources. Chartered Accountants Worldwide has launched a new UAE Institute Network Directory to improve collaboration and communication across institutes in the region. Meanwhile, Cherryl Cooper of Grant Thornton UK shares insights on inclusive communication and why equity, diversity, and inclusion should be viewed as central to ethical professional conduct — not separate from it.

Together, these stories point to a profession that is evolving rapidly: more international, more people-focused, and increasingly shaped by communication, adaptability, and community leadership.

Episode 40 serves as a reminder that the Chartered Accountancy qualification can open doors far beyond traditional expectations — often in ways people never initially planned for.

Episode 40: Rethinking the Chartered Accountancy Career Path

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Episode 39: Auditing is a human business, Lessons from Zambia’s Liswaniso Namatama

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Host Sinead Donovan talks to Aster Thackery about a career that went from New Zealand to the Italian government, a Chartered Accountancy qualification that opened doors a law degree could not, and a 2,000-person community she built from a single coffee meetup. It is a 30-minute conversation you will not want to miss.

Aster Thackery - What If your REAL skill is connecting people?

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DMD Season 4 Ep5: Aster Thackery - What If your REAL skill is connecting people?

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Join Us for a Special episode of Difference Makers Discuss: Global Challenges and the Drive for Sustainability with Carmine Di Noia (Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the OECD)

Global Challenges and the Drive for Sustainability with Carmine Di Noia (OECD)

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Global Challenges and the Drive for Sustainability with Carmine Di Noia (OECD)

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In an era when AI and automation are transforming finance, what is the irreplaceable value that human professionals bring to the auditing process? Liswaniso Namatama has a compelling answer — and it goes to the heart of what good auditing really is.

In this episode of Difference Makers Discuss, Liswaniso joins host Sinéad Donovan to explore what audit looks like when it’s done well: as a tool not just for assurance, but for helping organisations understand themselves and improve how they work. He argues that no amount of automation can replace the judgment, empathy, and contextual understanding that skilled human auditors bring to the table.

Difference Makers Discuss – Liswaniso Namatama, Auditing Is a Human Business

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Contact Us

Chartered Accountants Worldwide on The Map

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Embedding a sustainability mindset throughout operations

Reviewing data processes and controls

Establishing targets

Developing a strategy, policies and implementation plan

Setting sustainable goals

Identifying and rating opportunities

Identifying and rating risk exposure

Conducting a materiality assessment

Mapping and engaging stakeholders

SPECIALIST HUBS

SPECIALIST HUBS

Contact Us

Chartered Accountants Worldwide on The Map

Be Social

Cookie Settings

Embedding a sustainability mindset throughout operations

Reviewing data processes and controls

Establishing targets

Developing a strategy, policies and implementation plan

Setting sustainable goals

Identifying and rating opportunities

Identifying and rating risk exposure

Conducting a materiality assessment

Mapping and engaging stakeholders