The message I took to Manchester was that Government and industry must continue to work in partnership to tackle the big issues we are currently facing and the profession stands ready to play its part: in rebuilding confidence in financial structures, in restoring trust in the tax system and in supporting financial systems in the developing world. 

I met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Yvette Cooper, to discuss tackling child poverty - we have built a strong alliance on this issue with Kate Green, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, who argues that tax policy is a critical part of the equation in reducing inequality.

I also took part in a roundtable discussion with the minister for the profession, Gareth Thomas, who doubles up as an international development minister.  We discussed the role chartered accountants can play in the developing world to help local accountancy bodies, regulators and governments to build the financial infrastructure to support economic growth.

Our discussions with Treasury Select Committee members were dominated by the credit crunch and the need to resist kneejerk regulatory changes at a time of great uncertainty.

I am pleased that our engagement was so well received.  Some old contacts were fostered, and some new relationships were started.  The economy is centre stage at the moment and it is important that the Institute engages with policymakers in all parties - a dialogue based on trust and a confidence in the expertise that we provide.

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