CIMA Conference to Lead Discussion on Corporate Sustainability

TORONTO, Oct. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) is set to host an innovative discussion on the issue of Corporate Sustainability. The conference will bring together business leaders and experts in the field of corporate sustainability to discuss from a business and finance perspective if there is business case for sustainability in Canada.

CIMA President Gulzari Babber FCMA, CGMA will deliver the opening remarks. He will be followed by the key note speaker Jim Harris who is one of North America's foremost authors and thinkers on change, leadership and strategic and sustainable business.

Following the key note speech, there will be a round table discussion Chaired by Diane Francis, Editor-at-Large for the National Post and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University. Other participants include Valerie Chort, Partner and leader of the Sustainability and Climate Change Services, Deloitte Canada, Pavi Binning, President of George Weston Limited and Laurent Tainturier, President of BASF Canada.

Amal Ratnayake, Chair of CIMA Canada stated:

" For too long in Canada the prevalent ethos has been  that sustainable business is at best a 'feel good' issue and at worst 'green washing.' I believe that this conference will build upon the innovative research that CIMA has undertaken and show that sustainability will increasingly be viewed as a fundamental part of business strategy and will be necessary for profitability. CIMA is committed to ground breaking research and to helping members progress in an increasingly competitive business environment."

"CIBC is pleased to be a sponsor of this conference.  Corporate Sustainability is a relevant issue in business today," said Robert Hughes, Vice-President, Corporate and Operational Risk Management, CIBC. "CIBC's strategic imperative is to deliver consistent, sustainable earnings over the long term. That same philosophy of consistency and sustainability also guides our conduct in the broader scope of our activities. At CIBC, we recognize that good business and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Our success as a company depends on a sustainable economy, which in turn contributes to a healthy environment for our, clients, employees, and communities."

The conference will take place on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 2:30pm - 5:30pm with a cocktail reception to follow from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. The conference will be held at the Auditorium, The MaRS Collaboration Centre, 101 College St., Toronto, Ontario.

Notes to Editors

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, founded in 1919, is the world's leading and largest professional body of Management Accountants, with 195,000 members and students operating in 176 countries, working at the heart of business. CIMA members and students work in industry, commerce, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations. CIMA works closely with employers and sponsors leading-edge research, constantly updating its qualification, professional experience requirements and continuing professional development to ensure it remains the employers' choice when recruiting financially-trained business leaders.

Professionalism and ethics are at the core of CIMA's activities with every member and student bound by rigorous standards so that integrity, expertise and vision are brought together.

CIMA has formed a joint venture with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to establish the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. CGMA is the global quality standard that further elevates the profession of management accounting.

CIMA is proud to be the first professional accounting body to offer a truly global product in the fast-moving area of Islamic Finance.

For more information about CIMA, please visit www.cimaglobal.com

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SOURCE: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

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