30 years International Group of Controlling (IGC)

Two weeks ago, IGC celebrated its 30^th anniversary. This year the annual meeting took place in Belgrade. Thanks to Milica Šćepanović, our host, it was a wonderful experience. In the modern Sava Center the meeting started with an insightful keynote by Milos Djukanovic (Henkel). Prof. Dr. Martin Hiebl, Dr. Josef Baumüller, Prof. Dr. Ute Vanini and Dr. Peter Schentler provided expert input for the subsequent work in 4 subject areas. The aim is to develop the IGC process model for Controlling 3.0 over the next few months. The very proven and successful previous model is to be further developed in line with new technical possibilities (e.g. AI) and changed requirements (e.g. legal requirements from risk management), among other things.

Of course, it was not only topics that were worked on. We also had to ‘work through’ the regulations of an association. These included not only the approval of the annual report or the discharge of the executive bodies. The Executive Committee was also newly elected. Heimo Losbichler, as representative of the International Controller Association, was elected without a vote in accordance with the Articles of Association. Dr. Rita Niedermayr (Vienna), Prof. Dr. Klaus Möller (St. Gallen) and Prof. Dr. Ronald Gleich (Frankfurt) were confirmed in office. Guido Kleinhietpaß (Cologne), partner of CA controller akademie, was elected to the Executive Committee to replace Dr. Klaus Eiselmayer (Munich), who stepped down after 13 years. CA is one of the founding members of the IGC and has been represented by a seat on the IGC Management Board since its foundation in 1995.

And of course there was also a celebration: 30 years of successfully shaping the job profile and standards in controlling were rightly worth a beautiful cake. The fact that there were also matching anniversary mugs as a gift from the hosts was the perfect end to the work part.

After a very interesting city tour with lots of interesting facts, the topics of the day were discussed over dinner and new contacts were made. For some, it was more like a family reunion. A very nice finale in the Ambar restaurant for all those who had to leave early for the airport the next morning due to Mother’s Day. But after such a great day, no one regretted arriving at Belgrade’s busy Nikola Tesla Airport at 4 a.m. with practically no sleep. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank Milica Šćepanović and Bojan Šćepanović from the Menadžment Centar Beograd (MCB) for their hospitality and great organization.

We will meet again at the General Assembly in Munich next year. The host will be the International Controllers Association (ICV). The meeting will then take place at the 50th Controller Congress. See you there.