Finance entertainment mogul, Alison Cornwell CA appointed as ICAS President
Alison Cornwell CA has been appointed as the new President of ICAS for 2024/25. She is the 5th female President in ICAS’ 170-year history.
Alison, who is also CFO of Vue International, was confirmed as President at the ICAS Annual General Meeting on Friday 26 April 2024. She takes over from Clive Bellingham CA, former member of the PwC Global Board, and will serve a year in office.
Alison is a highly experienced CFO having worked in senior roles internationally at The Walt Disney Company and then as CFO in three successive PE backed businesses in television broadcasting (Sparrowhawk Media Group), film distribution and production financing (Alliance Films) and most recently in film exhibition (Vue International).
Supporting Alison in her role as President are Karen Scholes CA, who has been appointed Deputy President of ICAS, and David Cruickshank CA, who has been appointed Vice President of ICAS.
Commenting on her appointment, Alison said: “ICAS has been a leading voice in business and accountancy since 1854, and so to represent the oldest financial institution in the world as its president is a huge honour. I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back to an organisation which has enabled me to pursue a fascinating and rewarding career, and it's one of my goals during my presidential term to broaden the route of entry and attract more young people to the profession.
“The CA qualification is the gold standard which delivers way beyond its core syllabus - it creates the business leaders of tomorrow. I value the diversity of our membership, and that we behave with integrity and with the highest standards at heart.”
Bruce Cartwright CA, ICAS Chief Executive, said: “Alison brings a wealth of experience to ICAS, both as a non-Executive and CFO, and is a strong advocate for integrity, trust in the profession, sustainability and inspiring the next generation of CA students. She brings an invaluable perspective from the world of business to her role as our new ICAS President for 2024/25.
“I would also like to congratulate Karen Scholes CA and David Cruickshank CA who have been appointed as our new Deputy President and Vice President.
“Our ICAS Office Bearers, Alison, Karen and David, will play a key role with the Executive team in building an exciting future for ICAS.”
Prior to pursuing a career in business Alison qualified as a CA with C&L Glasgow in 1990 and spent 5 years in PwC’s Corporate Finance practice in London.
Alison has held several non-executive positions; She has previously been Governor and Audit Committee Chair of the British Film Institute and is currently a non-executive Director of Moonriver TV, producer of the recent series A Gentleman In Moscow starring Euan McGregor.
Karen Scholes CA, ICAS Deputy President, said: “I feel honoured to have been elected as Deputy President. As a member-led organisation I am most looking forward to continued engagement with our members and students. I am keen to communicate the 2030 strategy, including the changes to education and our new flexible model for both students and employers. I will continue to promote and support the amazing work of the ICAS Foundation. The ICAS Foundation supports social mobility, ethnic and gender diversity in students studying accountancy and finance at university. These students are supported through mentoring, financial support and work experience opportunities.
I look forward to working alongside Alison, our President, David, our Vice President, and the ICAS Executive Team, to ensure that, in our rapidly changing world, ICAS will continue to thrive.”
David Cruickshank CA, ICAS Vice President, said: “The work of our profession is important to many stakeholders – the capital markets, businesses of all sizes, government and regulators and society at large. We deliver work required by statute and advice through whole business and individual life cycles and we do this in an ethical way which inspires confidence and trust. We provide outstanding technical training and new skills to future generations of ICAS professionals wherever they choose to make their careers. The business and professional environment is changing with a pace I have never seen in my 44-year career.
“In my own small way, and working with the other Office Bearers, Council and the Executive leadership team, I will work hard for our Institute to be a leader in dealing with and benefitting from these changes for all of our stakeholders and future generations of ICAS members.”
