How many senior executives get to the top with little or no formal financial training? They
may have been appointed to the executive board as a result of their expertise in
marketing, HR, sales or IT, yet board members have a responsibility, individually and
collectively, to make informed decisions on proposed actions - decisions which
inevitably affect the value of their business.
Finance is a subject full of jargon and convention. This is confusing and off-putting to
non-specialists - responses range from misunderstanding and frustration to downright
fear. As a consequence, it is difficult or impossible for non-specialists to contribute fully
to important debates on policy and the actions the business should take as a result.
The book's central objective is to equip senior executives who are not financial
specialists to develop sound business proposals, or to cross-examine the proposals of
others, confidently and competently. This will be achieved by:
· Relating financial outcome to other business disciplines, particularly strategy and
marketing
· Helping define the boundary between what the non-specialist should know and where
it is good practice to seek the advice of specialists; and
· Puncturing some myths about ‘shareholder value’.

About the Author

Malcolm Allitt is an Ashridge Business School Associate and part time faculty member of Coventry University London Campus. In 1987 he won the Sainsbury Management Fellowship and, following a two-year MBA programme at London Business School, became Managing Director of a major division of Wimpey Plc. In 1999 he co-founded his own company, Ibis Bindery Systems Limited. After several years of active leadership Malcolm became non-executive Chairman and advisor to the Board. Malcolm joined the faculty of Ashridge Business School in 1995 and is currently an Ashridge Associate. His special interest lies in exploring the ways in which value is created by organisations – a theme which spans entrepreneurship, strategy, leadership, finance and organisation development.