IAB honours MGI Worldwide outgoing CEO Clive Bennett with Lifetime Achievement Award
We are very proud to announce that our outgoing CEO, Clive Bennett, has been awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural International Accounting Forum and Awards (IAFA) held at the Waldorf Hilton London on 29 June 2022.
Zoya Malik, Editor-in-Chief at the IAB (International Accounting Bulletin) presented Clive with the award with the following words:
"A graduate of Oxford University, Clive was immediately fast-tracked into the Civil Service to work with the Select Committees at the House of Commons, with perhaps playing a most notable role whilst with the Environmental Select Committee, of leading a major investigation into nuclear waste particularly, at Sellafield, which ultimately led to a change in government policy.
His skills being recognised, Clive was appointed Secretary to the UK Parliamentary Delegations to NATO & the Council of Europe.
Whilst at NATO, Clive married and moved to Portugal, joining MacAndrews Container Shipping Line, where he rapidly rose as Managing Director of their ailing Portuguese subsidiary. It was an exhilarating ride but after 3 years under his leadership – MacAndrews had soared to being among the country’s top five container shipping agencies.
Since then, Clive has launched a number of successful businesses, variously an executive coaching business providing strategic consulting and training, and board advisory across Portugal, Germany, and the UK. Further success followed when Clive set up Ad Capita Executive Search, specialising in supporting international companies operating in Portugal. The company stalled in the financial crisis,… and in 2010, Clive accepted a role at MGI Worldwide.
Leading MGI Worldwide forward
Clive excelled in this international leadership role at MGI Worldwide and set about implementing a strategy to enhance benefits to member firms; strengthen the global brand; establish effective and internationally credible quality assurance systems. Following the path of Kreston – MGI Worldwide progressed from an association to a network and was admitted to the Forum of Firms.
Successful mergers have been a rare feature within the international alliance section – there are so many obstacles to overcome – geographical overlaps, governance issues, differing financial positions, but in 2019, Clive successfully merged CPA Associates International into MGI Worldwide – doubling the network's size, profile, capability and coverage.
Clive retires this year – ending a multi-faceted career with notable successes at every stage – whether with the UK Parliament, the Shipping Industry, Strategic Coaching, Executive Recruitment and international accounting associations and networks.
Many at last year’s conference will recall Clive’s outstanding presentation at the 2021 Digital Accounting Forum, on the topic of managing mental health issues in accountancy practices.
Clive has had a Lifetime of Achievement – and is worthy of this Award. Many, many congratulations Clive."
A big congratulations and a very happy retirement to Clive, from all at MGI Worldwide.
MGI Worldwide with CPAAI, is a top 20 ranked global accounting network and association with almost 9,000 professionals, accountants and tax experts in some 400 locations in over 100 countries around the world.