Prospect of ICA director-general

The English ICA could appoint a director-general whose main purpose would be to lobby on technical and professional matters, overturning ten years of opposition from council members who have twice voted against such a proposal, writes Guy Dresser.

Institute president Brian Currie said he believed the role of technical director at the institute should be expanded to include ‘the sort of activities which people associate with those of a director-general’. He said: ‘Our members want someone with a strong visible presence who can assert their views on technical and professional issues. I suspect people have shied away from the notion that this person would have power to make decisions that are council’s responsibility or make policy on the hoof.’

The institute has had difficulty replacing outgoing technical director Bruce Picking in the # 100,000 a year job, advertised since April. And council members have previously ruled out any prospect of the institute appointing a director-general with a lobbying brief. Such a proposal appears as a question in a recent members’ questionnaire from the London Society of Chartered Accountants, and appeared to suggest there was grass roots support for the idea.

But LSCA chairman John Oyler denied that there was any hidden agenda at the LSCA to push for a director-general role at the institute. He said: ‘All we are doing is canvassing members’ views. If anyone feels strongly about it, I hope they say so on their questionnaire.’