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Depending on when you read this, you will either be about to vote in the general election or the results will be in and, in all probability, a new government will just have been formed. Irrespective of your politics, there is a consensus that the new administration will have a sizeable in-tray of urgent issues to address.
ICAS has set out its manifesto, with five asks of the new government. They are, in no particular order:
• Audit and corporate governance reform
• Investing in our tax system and HMRC
• Making UK business more sustainable
• Skills and equipping our profession for the future
• Clear, consistent and proportional regulation
In his regular column, CEO Bruce Cartwright CA examines each of them in more detail. You can read his thoughts here.
With support from the government, the accounting profession can play an influential role in making UK business more sustainable. Elsewhere in this issue, we examine how the role of the CFO has evolved in recent years, what lies ahead, and why sustainability reporting is likely to provide the most significant change to the prominence and breadth of the CFO’s remit.
Our new President, Alison Cornwell CA, is also a vastly experienced CFO and she lends her voice to that piece. You may have seen Alison at one of our recent events, at which she has been busily recruiting new members for our boards, panels and committees. To celebrate South Asian Heritage Month, taking place 18 July–17 August, we speak to four south Asian CAs who sit on those boards, panels and committees to find out how they have benefited from the experience.
Among them is Tracey Rob Perera CA, Chair of our EDI Committee. ICAS recently launched its new EDI strategy built around three key pillars – social mobility, equality and wellbeing. You can find out more about the strategy here.
Last, but far from least, we speak to David Cruickshank CA, who reflects on what he has learned from a remarkable career that has included being Global Chair of Deloitte, and sets out his ambitions and plans for his term as our newest ICAS office bearer.
Enjoy the issue.
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Sarah Speirs, ICAS Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communications
sspeirs@icas.com
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For more resources visit the sustainability hub
CONTENTS
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Dear Prime Minister…
Bruce Cartwright CA
The ICAS CEO delivers our “five asks” to the incoming government, from enacting corporate reform to improving financial literacy
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![](./assets/U9gTQNnEmp/news-and-comment-purple-ctr-3750x210.png)
Dear Prime Minister…
Bruce Cartwright CA
The ICAS CEO delivers our “five asks” to the incoming government, from enacting corporate reform to improving financial literacy
![](./assets/ukIFkv1v1z/specail-report-orange-rr-3750x209.png)
From CA to CFO to CEO
The future of the CFO
Why are so many FTSE 100 companies now led by former CFOs? And is the transition a natural step up or a huge leap in the dark?
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From CA to CFO to CEO
The future of the CFO
The ICAS CEO delivers our “five asks” to the incoming government, from enacting corporate reform to improving financial literacy
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All aboard!
South Asian Heritage Month
Four CAs on the benefits, both professional and personal, of playing an active role in ICAS committees, boards and networks
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All aboard!
South Asian Heritage Month
Four CAs on the benefits, both professional and personal, of playing an active role in ICAS committees, boards and networks
![](./assets/nLi1HT9OGG/news-and-comment-purple-rr-3750x209.png)
What does your future look like?
ICAS Practice Conference
Inspirational insights into AI and tech stacks, sustainability reporting as a client service, talent retention and more
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![](./assets/HCbMaEucjz/news-and-comment-purple-ctr-3750x210.png)
What does your future look like?
ICAS Practice Conference
Inspirational insights into AI and tech stacks, sustainability reporting as a client service, talent retention and more
![](./assets/p219yXG1XL/thought-leadership-orange-white-rl-3750x209.png)
‘We must remove barriers and unleash talent’
David Cruickshank CA
The new ICAS Vice President reflects on 40 years in the Big Four, the challenges of social mobility and the need for an economic blend of large and small
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![](./assets/T9dQ3Me6Pi/thought-leadership-orange-white-ctr-2255x209.png)
‘We must remove barriers and unleash talent’
David Cruickshank CA
The new ICAS Vice President reflects on 40 years in the Big Four, the challenges of social mobility and the need for an economic blend of large and small
News and Comment
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Thought Leadership
Pavita Cooper
The 30% Club Chair is out to increase female representation in corporate leadership
People
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Working Abroad
Damien Kieran CA on Dublin, a “liveable city” with plenty to offer finance professionals
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Meet the Practice
How Hall Morrice is plugging the talent gap by expanding its training programme
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Inside ICAS
Partnerships
We spotlight our partners, showing some benefits of the member rewards programme
Editor in Chief Sarah Speirs
Head of Communications Stevie Brown
Content and Communication Manager Hilde Oesterkloeft
Content and Communication Specialists Morven McEwan, Emma O’Sullivan
PUBLISHED BY
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Thanks to Ciara Allen, Stevie Chick, Simon Harris
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