Eligibility criteria
We welcome ICAEW members who are:
- Based in the South East Asia region
- Aged under 40
- In a senior leadership position
- Ready to take the next step in their career
- At least 5 years post-qualification
- Active ICAEW members in good standing at the time of application and throughout the programme
Places are limited – apply early to avoid disappointment.
Cost and logistics
This in-person forum is free to attend for eligible members.
ICAEW will cover the following costs:
- Accommodation for the night of 6 November
- Welcome dinner on 6 November
- Breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch on 7 November
Members are responsible for the following costs:
- Flights
- Local transport
- Accommodation for the night of 7 November
Frequently asked questions
-
Does attending this event count towards my CPD?
Yes, participating in the ASEAN Young Leaders Forum counts towards your CPD.
Under ICAEW's CPD Regulations, professional development isn't limited to technical accounting – leadership, communication and change management count too. The ASEAN Young Leaders Forum offers approximately 7 hours of structured learning: around 5 hours in the Transforming Difficult Conversations workshop, plus the leadership fireside sessions and Day 1's programme.
Attendance is independently evidenced, so these hours can be recorded as verifiable CPD. ICAEW does not allocate fixed hours to events. You will self-assess how the learning relates to your role and record it against your own CPD category.
Please note that this event does not include the mandatory annual hour of verifiable ethics training.
-
How are places allocated, and does registering my interest guarantee me a place?
Registering your interest is the first step, and does not confirm your place. Every submission will be checked against the eligibility criteria, and places will be confirmed on that basis while capacity allows. We aim to confirm the outcome within two weeks of the registration window closing, and we will write to you either way.
We expect more interest than we can accommodate. If we cannot offer you a place this time, you will be added to a waiting list and contacted if a place becomes available.
-
Where is the Forum held, and how do I book extra nights?
The Forum takes place at the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort. Your room for the night of 6 November is covered by ICAEW.
Day 1 opens at 4:30 PM. From some cities, the only flights in may land too late – if that is the case for you, do consider traveling in on 5 November and staying the night before, so you don't miss the programme. However, the extra night will be at your own cost. Any other night, except for the night of 6 November, will also be at your own cost.
You can book directly with the hotel, but rooms are not held for us. Because early November is the start of Phuket's peak season, we advise you to book as early as you can.
-
What should I wear?
Smart casual throughout. Phuket in November is warm and humid, so light fabrics are your best friend.
-
Can I bring a partner or guest?
The Forum programme, workshop and members' dinner are for registered members only, as places are limited. You're very welcome to bring a partner to Phuket and extend your stay, but they won't be able to join the sessions or the dinner/meals.
-
Do I need a visa, and will ICAEW help with travel arrangements?
You're responsible for your own visa and travel arrangements. Many ASEAN passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for short stays, but requirements vary by nationality, so please check with the Thai embassy in your country well ahead of booking.
If you need a letter confirming your attendance to support a visa application, ICAEW will provide one. Please contact Andika Wardana at andika.wardana@icaew.com.
-
What if I register but then can't attend?
We can understand that emergencies do happen. Please tell us as soon as you know. Places are strictly limited and there will be members on a waiting list, so an early cancellation allows someone else the opportunity to participate.
There's no penalty for cancelling. We simply ask that you let us know rather than not turning up – we’re relying on your ethical acumen here!
Friday, 6 November 2026 | Welcome
- Arrival in Phuket
- Daytime
- Registration
- 4:30 PM
- Welcome remarks
- 4:45 PM
- Stand-up comedy with spreadsheets
- 5:00 PM
- Fireside chat: Finance, comedy and the road less travelled
- 5:50 PM
- Members' dinner and networking
- 6:30 PM
Saturday, 7 November | Main programme
- Registration
- 9:00 AM
- Welcome remarks
- 9:20 AM
- Update from ICAEW
- 9:22 AM
- Fireside chat: ICAEW leadership and SEA Council update
- 9:30 AM
- ICAEW Academy senior leadership workshop: Transforming difficult conversations
- 10:00 AM
- Lunch
- 12:30 PM
- Workshop continues
- 1:30 PM
- Closing, group photo and end of day
- 4:00 PM
Please note: the programme may be subject to change.
Our speakers
After five years at Deloitte London as an ICAEW chartered accountant, David moved to Cambodia in 2013 and founded Xlconsulting, which teaches Excel and builds spreadsheet systems for organisations. He runs an Excel YouTube channel with 20,000+ subscribers and performs stand-up about spreadsheets at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Trained in London, Kit is now Asia's leading female NLP Master Trainer. She has trained practitioners across more than ten countries, authored two books, and mentors women and young leaders through the ICAEW/TalentCorp Women in Leadership and ICAEW Singapore Mentorship programmes. Kit was also a founding member for the ICAEW alumni group in Malaysia.
Former Deputy Managing Partner of Deloitte Singapore, Dr Kan is serving as Singapore’s High Commissioner to Kenya. He is also the Founder and Chairman of his own advisory practice. He is the immediate past Chairman of ICAEW’s Singapore Advisory Board, and serves as an independent director on two SGX-listed boards.
As Director of International at ICAEW, Azlina oversees the institute's global offices and operations, ensuring high-quality service to members and stakeholders worldwide. She previously led IMI as Managing Director, returning it to profitability, and now serves as a non-executive director at Harrogate NHS Trust.
Elaine leads ICAEW’s regional strategy and stakeholder engagement across South East Asia. She established ICAEW’s Kuala Lumpur office as its inaugural Head of Malaysia and has held leadership roles spanning the accountancy profession, education and business sectors. She is a Council Member of The 30% Club Malaysia and has and is serving on various industry advisory boards.
Naveen is a Partner in RSM Singapore's Assurance Practice, advising listed companies, multinationals, emerging businesses and non-profits. He has over 14 years of audit and advisory experience across sectors including aviation, financial services, oil and gas and real estate. Before joining RSM, he drove internal audit transformation at Changi Airport Group.