Compiled by the Accountancy Age editorial team, the Financial Power List 2018 ranks the 50 individuals who we believe will have significant influence on the direction of the accountancy industry over the next 12 months. Individuals considered for the list span government, practice and business with the rankings reflecting who has the power to make an impact in 2018.
Make sure you check back to view the full rankings, which will be released on 31 January, with five individuals announced every day between now and the end of the month.
Here, we reveal the individuals who have made positions 11-15 on this year’s list.
15. Nicky Morgan, Chair, Treasury Select Committee
Morgan has much to sink her teeth into this year as the government navigates leaving the EU. She’ll be ensuring that the government is held to account, including pushing for the publication of a position paper on financial services, which Morgan has previously said is in a “chronic state of uncertainty”. Alongside Brexit, inquiries into the Treasury and women in finance are likely to grab the headlines this year.
14. Jon Thompson, CEO, HMRC
Thompson has been leading the charge to reform HMRC and its service delivery, including projects to implement the Making Tax Digital initiative, relocate national offices to regional centres and introduce Universal Credit. With HMRC recently acknowledging that it was no longer feasible to carry out all the transformation projects at the same time, Thompson is now under pressure to reprioritise the initiatives and ensure that HMRC delivers on revenue and customer service targets.
13. Kevin Ellis, Chairman, PwC
Ellis led PwC to 5% growth last year, reporting record revenue of £3.6bn for the year ending 30 June 2017. He will now direct the firm as it seeks to position innovation at the core of its growth strategy and leverage technology to support clients and strengthen its competitiveness, ensuring that the firm prospers post-Brexit. PwC has recorded growth for 14 consecutive years. Can Ellis add a 15th year to the tally?
12. Paul Aplin, Incoming President, ICAEW
Aplin will assume presidency of the ICAEW in June when he takes over from current president Nick Parker. Brexit is bound to feature heavily during Aplin’s reign, as is ensuring that Making Tax Digital is implemented smoothly and effectively. Aplin will also be likely to push the government to introduce measures to support small businesses in navigating challenges arising from the current economic climate.
11. Bill Michael, Chairman, KPMG UK
Succeeding Simon Collins last year as chairman of KPMG UK, Michael has the opportunity to make a big impact in 2018, as he steers the Big Four firm through the UK’s exit from the EU. While KPMG saw 5% growth in revenue last year, the firm’s profits decreased by 19.5% as a result of investment write-offs and one-off costs, but Michael remains confident that the firm is well placed to achieve profitable growth this year. He will also be prioritising diversity in 2018 having previously been vocal about improving the firm’s gender and ethnicity balance across senior positions and the wider workforce.