Dr Hilary Lindsay named new chairman for CCAB

DR HILARY LINDSAY, president of ICAEW, has been appointed as the new chairman of CCAB, the combined group of the main UK accountancy bodies with a combined membership of over 380,000 professional accountants worldwide. She succeeds Tony Nicholl, immediate past president of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

During her year of office Lindsay wants to place particular emphasis on flexible working and wellbeing in the workplace. In the light of the outcome of the EU referendum, she is keen that the CCAB’s report on Business in Europe: Research Reforms for Sustainable Growth helps inform the debate on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union. She also wants to continue engagement on the role of the accountancy profession in the detection of fraud and anti-money laundering.

Lindsay said: “As a profession, we need to ensure we respond to the ever changing work environment, helping our members and their employers cope with the challenges that this presents. I think that CCAB has an important role to play, not only in identifying these challenges but helping raise awareness of the benefits of investing in new ways of working and the wellbeing of staff.

“I also want to ensure we continue to play our part in tackling problems of money laundering and fraud. The accountancy profession plays a critical role and is often in the front line when it comes to spotting suspicious activity. I would like to see a more joined up approach with both the law enforcement agencies as well as with Government in policy makers so we’re all working together and supporting each other in our efforts.”

Lindsay is an award-winning lecturer on finance and management for the Open University Business School.  She started her career in a four-partner practice in the North West of England before working for ICAEW. She was president of AAT in 2011-12 and has been a member of ICAEW Council for over a decade.