Welcome to our first issue of 2025. We begin with the launch of our new website. This was born of extensive consultations with you, our members, who told us you wanted an icas.com with improved user experience and greater searchability.

You can read more about the journey to its launch here. And of course, if you haven’t done so already, you can now visit the new site at the same icas.com address.

At ICAS we're always striving to improve. Elsewhere in this issue, Executive Director of Learning, Gail Boag, writes about the ongoing development of the new syllabus. As she says, it will be dynamic, incorporating changes to regulations and standards – including sustainability standards – when they are announced.

Sustainability is central to our ICAS 2030 strategy, and we examine whether big business is backing away from climate commitments in the face of political hostility.

This issue features two fascinating interviews. One is with Mike Soutar, who you will instantly recognise if you’ve ever watched the interview episodes of The Apprentice. Soutar talks about his non-exec roles at Scottish Rugby and V&A Dundee – and, for any would-be apprentices or entrepreneurs out there, he explains why you should never use AI to create a business plan.

We also meet Jeanette Wong CA, who has worked for a string of famous brands. She is currently CFO at London Marathon Group and sits on the board at Friends of the Earth. She exemplifies how the CA qualification provides the platform for a successful career while also making a positive impact.

And last, but far from least, we speak to Fiona Wood CA, who recently became the first woman in 26 years to become Countdown champion. Enjoy the issue.

Sarah Speirs, ICAS Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communications
sspeirs@icas.com 

Visit the new-look icas.com