Former ICAS president to lead new ethics drive
Norman Murray will chair the new ICAS ethics board
ICAS has announced appointment distinguished international boardroom leader Norman Murray to spearhead a drive on business ethics.
Murray will chair the new ICAS ethics board, which will take forward The Power of One initiative announced by ICAS CEO Anton Colella at the institute’s annual conference on 27 November.
Murray, an ICAS chartered accountant, is chair of independent international spirits company The Edrington Group, which includes The Macallan, Highland Park and The Famous Grouse brands. He is also chair of Scotland’s internationally-renowned dance company Scottish Ballet.
The Power of One calls on accountants to make ethical leadership their number one priority, to restore public trust in business. It includes a programme to support the 21,000 members of ICAS in ethical leadership, wherever they are placed in their organisations.
Colella said: “Norman Murray is one of our most respected business professionals and we are very fortunate to have him join us in this great initiative.”
Murray said: “An important aspect of The Power of One is the need for individuals to have the confidence and the moral courage to deal with ethical issues. Alongside this, companies must encourage a culture of doing the right thing when dealing with those issues.”
Murray’s many previous business leadership roles include his positions as chair of FTSE 100 global companies Cairn energy and Petrofac, and chair of the British Venture Capital Association.
A former ICAS president, Murray was also chair of the working group that formulated the audit firm governance code for large accounting firms, which was published by the FRC and ICAEW in 2010.