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 6-10 on this year’s list.
10. Andrew Bonfield, Chair, 100Group, National Grid CFO
Bonfield bagged the number 10 position in our Financial Power List 2018. He heads up the group who’s main purpose is to act as a voice for the finance community and speak out on finance policy. As such, you are likely to find him in conversations with finance institutions and government, especially HM Treasury. Bonfield’s focus this year will undoubtedly be Brexit. He must navigate how to bring a collective voice around Britain’s exit from the European Union and consider how companies will be impacted by it. Bonfield wants to ensure businesses have enough lead time for considerations ahead of upcoming changes and, while he feels it would have been easier had Brexit not happened, he is determined to help create the best opportunities from it.
Harding is number 9 on the Accountancy Age Financial Power List 2018. Now that CIMA have merged with AICPA, it is Harding’s role to drive the impact of management accounting across the world. Among Harding’s focuses will be creating value for members of the new Association, finding opportunities to keep CGMAs ahead of the game in terms of knowledge and resources. He also wants to position management accounting as a top career choice for graduates in the US market.
Varley ranks eighth in the 2018 Financial Power list.
Joining the Big Four firm at a time of economic stagnation in 2011, Varley made the decision to invest tens of millions of pounds into the business in tech n. His strategy paid off, with EY consistently reporting exponential revenue growth across all service lines– reaching total revenues of £2.35bn in 2017.
Under Varley’s leadership the firm has invested into technology, improving audit tools and growing robotics, artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions.
In 2017 Varley was invited to Downing Street along with other business leaders to discuss business and Brexit with the Prime Minister.
Varley is also a member of the 30% Club, a group of FTSE-100 Chairmen committed to having at least 30% of their board members being female, and has been a champion of diversity within EY.
7. Sir Win Bischoff, Chairman, FRC
Bischoff takes the seventh spot in 2018’s power list. After an extensive career in banking Bischoff became chairman of the FRC, bringing with him a wealth of board experience. Bischoff is a strong advocate for good corporate governance and building corporate culture.
As chairman of the watchdog, Bischoff oversees the regulation of auditors, accountants and actuaries. He is also a member of the 30% Club, a group of FTSE-100 Chairmen committed to having at least 30% of their board members being female.
Bischoff was awarded a knighthood in 2000 for services to the banking industry and in 2016 was given a Non-Executive Director Lifetime Achievement Award.
6. Sacha Romanovitch, CEO, Grant Thornton
Upon Sacha Romanovitch’s ascension to the role of CEO in 2015, she became the first female CEO of a major accountancy firm. However, reasons for ranking her sixth on the Financial Power List far surpass her gender.
As CEO Romanovitch has utilised her understanding of people and culture to transform the working environment of the firm, rolling out several programmes aimed at fostering innovation and empowering employees.
She has also introduced Grant Thornton’s blueprint for a vibrant economy, which has seen the firm holding forums across major UK cities.
Early into her CEO tenure she implemented the distribution of profits, in the shared enterprise style of the John Lewis Partnership, and capped her own salary at 20 times the firm’s average.