O PI N I O N Still striding ahead Outgoing FIDI President Ebru Demirel reflects on progress made by the organisation during her unusual three-year tenure and looks at the future of the industry from here W hen I stepped into the shoes of FIDI President in Amsterdam three years ago, if you had told me that my entire presidency would be spent in the era of Zoom meetings, I would have said how could you even imagine such a thing? I thought my time would be one of speeches in front of live audiences and chatting with old friends during cocktail hours. I had been on the FIDI Board for a while before becoming president, and so of course I had spent some time imagining what life as FIDI President would look like. Little did I know that, for me, it would mean hours of staring at my computer screen, wishing for that good old in-person contact. The theme of my presidency was transformation, and we certainly got more transformation than any of us bargained for. The world is not what it was; the industry is not what it was; and very few of our companies are what they were. They might be better, sure, but they are different, and they are still changing every day. They have to, they have had to, just to get through this challenging period. In the midst of this unforeseen upheaval though, FIDI has made huge headway on some key issues, and I am immensely proud of the things we have achieved recently. When I talk about these achievements, there is something everyone needs to remember: FIDI only reached these goals because of the part you played. Without your support, it would have all come to nothing. FIDI would have remembered the COVID-19 years as lost years, not as years marked by progress on important issues. Our organisation has strong W W W. F ID I. O R G FF305 Mar_May 22 pp04-05 Ebru Opinion_converted.indd 5 roots and it continues searching for useful new services with which it can support its membership. In addition to these new things from the past few years, who could forget FAIM, that central FIDI pillar, and our association with all things quality. FIDI Affiliates have always been a robust bunch, and the outside world is picking up on that association with financial quality, too. The new EY Credit Risk Barometer, helps with this process, demonstrating our networks financial strength. What makes me proudest from the past few years is that FIDI has used these difficult years to grow. It did not say: We need time out, or Lets just wait until this thing passes, and then well start moving again. It said: Theres a crisis, and were going to get through it and were going to come out the other side stronger. Life being what it is there have been some losses, too, with some of the icons of our industry no longer able to grace our world with their presence. But when I look at the young people in our industry, like the good people of the 39 Club, I cannot help but smile and know that the industry will be in good hands for years to come. Before I wrap this column up, I would like to thank the FIDI office and the Board members for their incredible support through the years. And above all, I would like to thank every one of you Affiliates. It has been an extraordinary three years, and it has been an honour travelling with you through it all. I cannot wait to see you at the FIDI Conference in Cannes. Back by popular demand are more informal social excursions, a celebration of our ties. I am so looking forward to it. EBRU DEMIREL, FIDI PRESIDENT Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: ebrdemirell LinkedIn or by email: ebru@asyanakliyat.com The theme of my presidency was transformation and we certainly got more transformation than we bargained for 5 08/03/2022 07:47