Hello and welcome to the first issue of CA magazine of the year. We have to start with our new CEO, Gail Boag. In her first column in her new job, Gail sets out her vision for ICAS, writing: “We must ensure the profession is reflective of the diverse society it serves, and that the wonderful opportunities it brings are accessible to anyone with the necessary talent. Becoming a CA does literally change lives.”
Many of you will know Mary Portas from her BBC series Mary Queen of Shops, and she will be our keynote speaker at the ICAS International Women’s Day event in Glasgow on 25 February. In a hugely entertaining yet revealing interview, Mary talks about her time at Harvey Nichols, when she helped to reinvent the loss-making Knightsbridge shop as an international brand.
She also highlights her experiences with senior finance people, both good and not so good, and recalls: “Back at Harvey Nichols, when we really took it into profit, it was the business’s finance director who made it all happen.”
The FDs and CFOs of the future are likely to feature heavily among the CA Rising Stars 2026. We provide details on how to enter this year’s competition and unveil a new category.
One of last year’s Rising Stars was Richard Port CA, who is now CEO of both an engineering company and an accounting firm. He shares his unlikely career journey, from Hull and back again, in My Life in Numbers.
February marks National Apprenticeship Week, but many students are understandably concerned about what an AI-fuelled future means for their job prospects. It is therefore well worth reading what Lucy McWalters CA has to say. Lucy came to ICAS membership through the apprenticeship programme at EY and explains why her chosen route has thrown her in at the deep end – and given her the chance to thrive.
Another AI-related area of concern is cybersecurity. This issue’s Special Report delves into the extraordinary cost cyberattacks are having on our economy, how AI is fuelling the next wave of attacks, and what every company must do to mitigate the risk of a data breach.
And finally, if you’re reading this in the UK, the chances are it is cold, wet and miserable outside. So we’ve tried to bring you a bit of sunshine by finding out what it is like to live and work as a CA in Melbourne.
Sarah Chisnall, Editor in Chief
Submit your nomination for CA Rising Stars 2026
Hello and welcome to the first issue of CA magazine of the year. We have to start with our new CEO, Gail Boag. In her first column in her new job, Gail sets out her vision for ICAS, writing: “We must ensure the profession is reflective of the diverse society it serves, and that the wonderful opportunities it brings are accessible to anyone with the necessary talent. Becoming a CA does literally change lives.”
Many of you will know Mary Portas from her BBC series Mary Queen of Shops, and she will be our keynote speaker at the ICAS International Women’s Day event in Glasgow on 25 February. In a hugely entertaining yet revealing interview, Mary talks about her time at Harvey Nichols, when she helped to reinvent the loss-making Knightsbridge shop as an international brand.
She also highlights her experiences with senior finance people, both good and not so good, and recalls: “Back at Harvey Nichols, when we really took it into profit, it was the business’s finance director who made it all happen.”
The FDs and CFOs of the future are likely to feature heavily among the CA Rising Stars 2026. We provide details on how to enter this year’s competition and unveil a new category.
One of last year’s Rising Stars was Richard Port CA, who is now CEO of both an engineering company and an accounting firm. He shares his unlikely career journey, from Hull and back again, in My Life in Numbers.
February marks National Apprenticeship Week, but many students are understandably concerned about what an AI-fuelled future means for their job prospects. It is therefore well worth reading what Lucy McWalters CA has to say. Lucy came to ICAS membership through the apprenticeship programme at EY and explains why her chosen route has thrown her in at the deep end – and given her the chance to thrive.
Another AI-related area of concern is cybersecurity. This issue’s Special Report delves into the extraordinary cost cyberattacks are having on our economy, how AI is fuelling the next wave of attacks, and what every company must do to mitigate the risk of a data breach.
And finally, if you’re reading this in the UK, the chances are it is cold, wet and miserable outside. So we’ve tried to bring you a bit of sunshine by finding out what it is like to live and work as a CA in Melbourne.
Sarah Chisnall, Editor in Chief
Submit your nomination for CA Rising Stars 2026
CONTENTS
Gail Boag
My vision for ICAS
The new CEO sets out her three key areas of focus to keep ICAS thriving and evolving for the benefit of its members
Gail Boag
My vision for ICAS
The new CEO sets out her three key areas of focus to keep ICAS thriving and evolving for the benefit of its members
Mary Portas OBE
Ahead of her IWD event with ICAS, the shopping guru relives her wild 1990s and explains why business must put creativity at its heart
Mary Portas OBE
Ahead of her IWD event with ICAS, the shopping guru relives her wild 1990s and explains why business must put creativity at its heart
Rise and shine
With an additional category and a glittering in-person awards event, this year’s competition promises to be bigger and better than ever
Rise and shine
With an additional category and a glittering in-person awards event, this year’s competition promises to be bigger and better than ever
Baxters
Meet the ATO
How the celebrated food company is helping graduate apprentice Millie McKenzie fulfil her ICAS dream
Baxters
Meet the ATO
How the celebrated food company is helping graduate apprentice Millie McKenzie fulfil her ICAS dream
Cybercrime and the CA
With AI making attacks smarter, faster and harder to stop, cybersecurity is more urgent than ever
Cybercrime and the CA
With AI making attacks smarter, faster and harder to stop, cybersecurity is more urgent than ever
NEWS AND COMMENT
The Account
Business news, including SME stresses and possibly the latest unwelcome US import – loan gamification
President’s View
Karen Scholes CA welcomes the new CEO and celebrates ICAS’ ongoing policy work, influence and achievements
CA View
Why Scotland needs to think big on its Budget; and yet another setback for audit reform
Professional Accountancy MA
Poppy Collinson introduces a new partnership with Heriot-Watt University presenting a world of opportunity
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Roxanne Butchart CA
The expert in financial storytelling on setting the narrative, innovation in Africa and why crime against wildlife goes under-reported
PEOPLE
WORKING ABROAD
New ICAS Ambassadors Sophie Kim CA and Amy Cairns CA on the joys of life in Australia’s cultural capital
CHAMPIONING UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES
Why Lucy McMasters CA decided university wasn’t for her and took the apprenticeship route with EY instead
MY LIFE IN NUMBERS
The versatile CEO of accountancy and engineering firms on the music industry, conspiracists and fibre optic
INSIDE ICAS
For the Record
Member information, events and updates, including an IWD event with Mary Portas and the upcoming Admission Ceremony
Learning & Development
The nine core and three emerging skills that will earn you a place on every employer’s shortlist
Editor in Chief Sarah Chisnall
Head of Communications Stevie Brown
Content and Communication Managers Hailey Combe, Hilde Oesterkloeft
Content and Communication Executives Dylan Tom, Ross Walter
PUBLISHED BY
River Group Content Ltd,
2nd Floor, 32-38 Saffron Hill,
London EC1 8FH
+44 (0) 20 7420 7000
camagazine@therivergroup.co.uk
RIVER CONTENT GROUP
Editor Ryan Herman
Creative Director Phil Tristram
Chief Sub-Editor Steve Yates
Picture Editor Paul Ashman
Contributors Fraser Allen, Cris Andrews, Cherry Casey, Christian Koch, Fiona Nicolson
Editorial Director (Business) Lysanne Currie
Partnerships and Sales Manager Tony Hopkins thopkins@therivergroup.co.uk
Partnerships and Account Executive David Dagun
Account Director Max Bray
Account Executive Jacob Leman-Scott
Production Director Nigel Mackay
Group Creative Director Scott McKenzie
Managing Director Rachel Middlewick
Finance Director Gavin Love
CEO Nicola Murphy
PICTURE CREDITS
Getty Images, Alamy, Linda Nylind/Guardian/eyevine
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