Blogs
It’s been Five-Star… but where do I start?!
April 2022
So, the end of April marks my 5-year anniversary as CEO of this incredible network.
My immediate thoughts turn to fabulous events, fantastic progress, development, expansion, re-brand, profile enhancement, re-energised digital presence, refreshed strategic positioning, health & wellbeing initiatives, social responsibility… being proud of how we dealt with the pandemic, how we assisted in Beirut and, most recently, our contribution to the humanitarian support in Ukraine.
The numbers paint a remarkable picture.
In those five years (in USD value), we’ve grown the Russell Bedford International network by over 70% (Europe by 72%, Middle East 93%, Africa 160%, North America 41%, Latin America 25% and Asia Pacific by 141%).
Our global growth has consistently surpassed expectations and far exceeded the industry average in each year (having more than doubled that of all international accounting networks over the five-year period).
I’ve had the pleasure of welcoming 80 new firms. We have over 8,000 people, greater than 40% more than five years ago; and now in over 100 countries. In that period, we won the award for Network of the Year, whilst I simultaneously (and somewhat modestly…?!?) accepted Personality of the Year.
That all means a lot. It really does! But what means more to me during these five years are the relationships I have built with our people all over the world. And you cannot put a statistic or percentage on that! Amazing people… professionals… colleagues… friends.
We spent two years apart, connected by the technology of video conferencing, but never disconnected virtually or emotionally.
Last month’s meeting in Cancun made me feel as if we’d never been physically separated; and I cannot wait for more interaction at other in-person events later this year.
We have five senses to experience the world — sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. We also have five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. A regular star has five points. And in numerology, the number five can represent spiritual growth.
Well… whatever the number 5 means to you, I am grateful to have had five magical years and looking forward to more.
#people #passion #teamwork #gratitude #success