Paul Henry has been re-elected President of Chartered Accountants Ireland at the Institute’s virtual AGM today. He is the first President to serve a two-year term of Ireland’s largest professional accountancy body since the mid-1950s. His re-election will provide stability and continuity as the Institute works to represent almost 30,000 accountants amid economic reopening on the island of Ireland.
Addressing the Chartered Accountants Ireland AGM, Mr Henry noted that recovery from the pandemic would be a challenge unlike any other, with the future still uncertain for so many businesses. Chief among his priorities will be helping members in business and as advisors to business, to apply their expertise to the challenges that will come with reopening.
Commenting Henry said
“Over the past year, I have sought to provide leadership as the island faced the challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit. Throughout, we have worked to alleviate pressure points for members so that they could continue to deliver for their businesses and clients. Accountants all around the island have played a key role in supporting businesses in keeping the show on the road.
“A combination of prudent public health measures and vaccination are facilitating reopening, but we cannot underestimate the challenge that lies ahead. The pandemic has persisted for longer than most of us imagined, and recovery is going to be a long road. I look forward to continuing to lead the Institute and its members for the benefit of the wider economy and society.”
Another key area of focus will be the further development of the profession’s capabilities to lead in tackling the climate crisis, through the Institute’s Sustainability Expert Working Group. This group includes accounting firms and organisations, government organisations and NGOs, academia, business, and the energy, banking sector and technology sectors.
Henry continued
“With companies taking steps to drive sustainable and principled business, the professionals called on to deliver these changes will most often be accountants. Accountants have a responsibility as decision makers, as those tasked with reporting, and as those tasked with acquiring the finance to fund change. As business advisors, we can help members understand and record their sustainability activity and begin to report on that activity in a meaningful and confident way. This important work will continue in the coming months.”
Finally, Henry identified the need to continue to work to attract graduates to the profession, highlighting the increased take up of the flexible route to qualification in the past year. 2020 saw a 30 percent year on year increase in the numbers of students choosing to follow this flexible route, which enables students to stay in their current job and study in a way that best suits them.
A resident of Belfast, Mr Henry qualified with Pricewaterhouse in 1989. Prior to his current role, he held positions with the Industrial Development Board, Enterprise Equity, PricewaterhouseCoopers and ASM Chartered Accountants. He also served as Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society in 2014.
At today’s AGM, Pat O’Neill was re-elected Deputy President of Chartered Accountants Ireland, and Sinead Donovan was re-elected Vice-President.
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