Michael Izza promised that he would continue to push the consolidation agenda that saw his predecessor Eric Anstee come under pressure from the membership.

The commitment of the institute’s new head to consolidation and future merger attempts has already provoked the ire of some members, who have painted him as another Anstee.

In a letter to Accountancy Age, Malcolm Howard described Izza as arrogant and said consolidation would have no effect on the profession’s standing or reputation.

‘Michael Izza is the latest in the long line of leaders who have the arrogance to believe that they know better than the membership, by constantly harping on about integration,’ Howard said.

Influential Big Four figures backed the appointment, however. Peter Wyman, former president of the Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers head of public affairs, said: ‘It’s a good appointment and provides consistency for the institute.’

A vocal group of ICAEW members successfully blocked the attempted merger between CIPFA and the ICAEW last year and now have Izza in their sights.

Opponents of the merger also voiced their discontent online. One commentator, James Chait on stopthemerger.blogspot.com, said Izza’s appointment was a ‘joke’.

‘I wonder how much we paid the headhunter on abortive fees and how much of a pay-off Izza will receive when the all too predicable fall from grace comes,’ Chait said.

Izza has also received criticism for the £65,000 he has invested in rebranding the ICAEW.

Dave Clegg wrote to Accountancy Age that he was pleased he had resigned his ICAEW membership.

‘As I see you’re into advocating corporate rebranding and another merger, it looks like I made the right decision to spend my hard earned shekels on myself rather than let you squander them,’ Clegg said.