December 2023
HOLIDAY AND NEW YEAR WISHES FROM THE CHAIR OF THE MINT DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION LTD
On behalf of the Board of MDA Ltd can I wish our members and the broader Minting community a very happy Festive Season and a safe, healthy and successful 2024.
With the Incorporation of the MDA Ltd, the appointment of an Executive Director (soon to be announced), and the creation of an ambitious but achievable Work Program for 2024, it promises to be a very exciting year for the Association and its members.
Best wishes
Marie Lemay, Chair MDA Ltd and President and CEO, the Royal Canadian Mint
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
As we close on 2023 I thought it would be appropriate to do two things:
1. Restate the key messages in the articles that have been written to remind policy makers and Central banks about why cash is still a vital part of the transaction environment.
We have stated on many occasions over the past few years, but more particularly in the past twelve months, that cash must remain available in all countries because:
- cash helps us to live within our budgets and manage our financial situations
- it helps educate children about financial literacy
- because of its anonymity, cash helps protect privacy
- cash is available when technology fails – as has happened around the world with increasing frequency and consequence
- cash makes it easier to be charitable as evidenced by the release four years ago of the Donation Dollar by the Royal Australian Mint
- and importantly cash encourages and facilitates financial inclusion, particularly for those in society who are vulnerable or whose language is secondary to the country in which they live.
2. Restate the broader role that Mints play.
As we have previously presented, the Mints are much more than producers and suppliers of circulating coins. For many they are:
- a national story teller through the release of numismatic / commemorative coins that tell the story of a country’s history, major events, flora and fauna, cultural icons and distinguished people
- the provider of a visitor experience, showcasing through their gallery, modern manufacturing capability in the production of coins
- the producer and supplier of precious metal coins and bullion – gold, silver and platinum
- for some and more recently, showcases of sustainable and environment best practices
- for some the supplier of jewellery
- for some the supplier of notes, passports and certified documents
- providers of educational programs not only telling the history and role of coins in their country but also their role in financial literacy.
WELCOME AND FAREWELL
WELCOME TO THE NEW MDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – MARK CARTWRIGHT
The Chair of the Mint Directors Association Ltd has announced to MDA members the appointment of Mark Cartwright as the Executive Director of MDA Ltd effective 1 January 2024.
Mark enters the role with a Degree in Applied Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration specialising in Marketing. He has spent the past 12 years in the industry as the Executive General Manager of Sales, Marketing & Innovation for the Royal Australian Mint (RAM), having oversight of product design and development, sales, B2B relationship management, marketing, innovation and education and visitor services.
Prior to working at the RAM, Mark was a leader within the sporting industry being the CEO of Basketball ACT as well as working as the CEO of ACTSPORT. He comes to MDA Ltd as someone that has worked in senior leadership roles in membership-based associations for well over a decade, in addition to an executive leadership role at RAM.
FAREWELL TO ROSS MACDIARMID
Farewell to Ross MacDiarmid, previously CEO of the Royal Australian Mint for 10.5 years until 2020 and more recently as Acting Executive Director of the MDA Ltd.
As stated by Marie Lemay, Chair of MDA Ltd:
“As we welcome Mark to the MDA, I would very much like to thank Ross MacDiarmid who has been instrumental in working with the Board and MDA member mints over the past few years to help create this new and exciting organisation”.