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The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has finally named its next chief executive, after a lengthy global search.
Helen Brand is currently the managing director of strategy and development at the ACCA, which she joined in 1996. She previously worked for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
She has been technical advisor to International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) board member Ndung'u Gathinji for the past eight years, and she has been involved in the IFAC's work since 1994.
Ms Brand, who is a politics graduate but holds no ACCA qualification, is eager to promote the development of the accountancy profession throughout Africa.
She will replace Allen Blewitt as CEO with effect from 1 September. He is leaving the ACCA to return to Sydney, after five years based at the association's London headquarters.
The search for a new ACCA chief began four months ago with an advertisement in The Sunday Times.
Commenting on Ms Brand's appointment, Brendan Murtagh, chairman of the ACCA's remuneration committee, said: 'It is especially pleasing to be able to appoint from within the organisation.
'Helen Brand brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the 170 markets in which the ACCA currently operates.
'Her global understanding of the sector and experience of working with bodies such as the IFAC will be of great benefit.'
At the beginning of this year, the ACCA celebrated a five-year high in its global membership figures, after 2007 saw more than 7,000 new people joining the organisation.
Earlier this month, the association agreed to sign a joint memorandum of understanding with the Association of Accounting Technicians, aiming to 'drive the professional development agenda'.
