What’s on the agenda? Highlights from Members Board September 2025

The Members Board meeting held on 17 September 2025 was filled with key updates and meaningful discussions aimed at shaping and improving the member engagement work at ICAS. Here’s a snapshot of the key highlights:

Updates from Board members 

Several members on the Board took some time to provide updates from other committees and working groups on which they sit.   

• AI and tech working group - Iain McMichael CA shared a summary of topics covered at the recent working group meeting, including ICAS’s AI vision and the tech and AI theme within the Shaping the Profession work.  
• EDI committee – Sarah Speirs shared updates on the changing makeup of the membership and ongoing monitoring of ethnicity and LGBT representation 
• Sustainability committee – David Wilson CA provided an update on ongoing market development and highlighted three major consultations on UK sustainability reporting, assurance, and climate transition plans.  The role of the committee is to provide input into ICAS’s policy responses. 

Use of AI across ICAS 

Sean Robertson, Director of AI & Data, presented ICAS's AI vision and strategy, including proof-of-concept projects, internal upskilling, and member guidance, with board members providing feedback on member needs and opportunities for further development. Sean outlined the dual focus on 'everyday AI' for productivity and 'game-changing AI' for new products and services. He also covered the launch of ICAS’ internal AI Academy to upskill staff, improve document management, and build a community of AI champions. 

Member Engagement and Value Strategy 

Laura Butcher, Director of Member Engagement, led a presentation highlighting three projects within the member engagement and value strategy, including the 'Moments that Matter' campaign, a new member value video, and sought feedback from the board on communication frequency, content, and ways to enhance member experience and recognition. 

Communication channels 

Stevie Brown, Head of Communications, presented plans to revitalise the ICAS podcast programme, aligning it with CA magazine's thought leadership approach, and sought input from the board on topics, hosts, and distribution channels, with suggestions for integrating AI-generated content and embedding podcasts in other media. 

The future of Rising Stars 

Dougie Hawkings CA, who sat on the judging panel for the 2025 Rising Stars campaign joined this part of the meeting. He helped to lead a discussion on the relaunch of the Rising Stars campaign, gathering feedback from breakout groups on categories, nomination processes, event formats, and ways to increase participation and recognition for outstanding early-career members. 

The next Members Board meeting is on 19 November 2025.