Throughout 2025, members of ICAEW’s leadership team have undertaken a series of significant international visits, demonstrating the institute’s continued commitment to engaging with key stakeholders, contributing to global economic discussions, and connecting with our international membership community. Together, these activities support ICAEW’s vision to be the pre-eminent global professional body. 

International engagement is not simply about being present; it is about delivering impact. Through high-level meetings, strategic partnerships and speaking engagements across key markets, ICAEW helps shape global regulatory conversations, builds influential relationships and reinforces the standing of the ACA qualification. These efforts ensure that ICAEW continues to deliver tangible value to members worldwide.

UK–China Economic and Financial Dialogue 

One of the most significant engagements of the year took place in January, when ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance travelled to Beijing to participate in the Financial Services Summit, part of the UK - China EFD.  

Vallance’s participation ensured that ICAEW and the wider accountancy profession were represented in discussions shaping trade, investment, sustainability frameworks and financial cooperation between the UK and China.  

He says his attendance reflected “the high regard in which the profession is held and the important role chartered accountants play in supporting trust, transparency and sustainable economic cooperation between the UK and China”. 

Following this engagement, Azlina Bulmer, Director, International, represented ICAEW at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade. She delivered a keynote address, met with the UK’s Ambassador to China, Peter Wilson and joined a fireside chat with Peter Burnett, Chief Executive of the China-Britain Business Council. She also participated in a panel discussion highlighting how ICAEW can unlock cross-border collaboration opportunities. 

The trip reinforced ICAEW’s role in connecting professional services with global trade and investment priorities. By engaging directly with senior UK and Chinese stakeholders and strengthening links with education and business partners, ICAEW continues to champion the profession’s contribution to sustainable growth. 

Strengthening US relationships 

In June, Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer, joined TheCityUK delegation to the US alongside other representatives from the UK’s financial and professional services sector. The visit included high-level meetings in Washington DC and New York, strengthening relationships with organisations central to the global regulatory environment. 

Key engagements included discussions with: 

• the US Chamber of Commerce,  
• the US Treasury,  
• the Council of Economic Advisers,  
• the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),  
• the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board,  
• the Centre for Audit Quality, and  
• AICPA (the American Institute of CPAs).  

These meetings provided valuable opportunities to share the UK perspective on audit reform, corporate reporting and economic resilience, while deepening collaboration on shared challenges, such as ESG assurance, technological innovation and standards convergence. 

A notable outcome of this engagement was the subsequent visit of SEC Chairman Paul Atkins to Chartered Accountants’ Hall. Atkins joined a fireside chat hosted by ICAEW in collaboration with BritishAmerican Business (BAB), which was attended by more than 100 ICAEW and BAB members. The discussion explored US - UK financial cooperation, the future of capital markets and regulatory developments affecting cross-border business. 

This event demonstrated the tangible value of ICAEW’s international engagement, translating global relationships into exclusive insights, thought leadership and insights for members. 

Celebrating members around the world 

This year saw extensive international engagement from ICAEW Presidents Malcolm Bacchus (January to June) and Derek Blair (June to December).  

Presidential visits play a crucial role in maintaining strong connections with ICAEW’s global membership, providing opportunities to celebrate member achievements and strengthen local professional communities. 

The presidents engaged with members across a wide range of countries, including India, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Germany, Mexico, Belgium, Mauritius and France. They met with local societies, advisory groups and member networks.  

These visits highlighted the diversity of ICAEW’s global community. Members shared experiences of innovation, entrepreneurship, public service and leadership across sectors, including financial services, technology, government and education. The opportunity to meet with the president was warmly welcomed and reinforced the value ICAEW places on global networks. 

“As President of ICAEW, it is vitally important for me to meet with our international members, hear their perspectives and understand the realities they face in their local markets,” says Blair. “These conversations strengthen our global community and ensure ICAEW continues to represent and support members wherever they are in the world.” 

Presidential visits also provide an opportunity to share updates on ICAEW’s strategic priorities, including the launch of the Next Generation ACA qualification and Strategy Direction 2030. A clear message was shared: ICAEW is committed to serving members wherever they are and ensuring the profession remains resilient, relevant and forward-looking. 

Both presidents represented ICAEW at major international events. Bacchus delivered a keynote address at the World Forum of Accountants Conference, while Blair attended the IFAC Council meeting in Mexico, engaging with professional bodies, standard setters and international stakeholders. These activities further strengthened ICAEW’s global presence and influence. 

A successful year of global engagement 

These engagements reflect a strategically important and highly successful year for ICAEW. From representing member views at major bilateral dialogues and engaging with regulators, to celebrating achievements of members around the world, ICAEW’s global presence continues to strengthen the profession’s influence and impact and helps shape a prosperous and sustainable future for business and finance. 

“Engaging closely with our members and international stakeholders is central to ICAEW’s role as a global professional body,” says Bulmer. “By building strong relationships and understanding local priorities, we can champion the value of the profession internationally and ensure members receive the insight, influence and support needed for our members and businesses to succeed.” 

ICAEW is grateful for the continued engagement and support of its members all over the world.  

“We look forward to another year of meaningful international collaboration and in helping to enable people everywhere to do business with confidence,” says Bulmer.