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ICAEW Annual Conference 2025

Speakers

Thriving in transformation

17 October 2025, Convene Sancroft, London

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Our speakers

Headshot of Lola-Rose Avery
Lola-Rose Avery Barrister and Legal AI Specialist

Before transitioning into legal practice, Lola began her career in the Forensic department at KPMG, where she qualified as an ACA and worked on large-scale litigation and regulatory investigations, alongside a range of consulting projects and some audit work. She has a particular interest in generative AI and its implications for the legal and professional services sectors.

Headshot of Nina Barakzai
Nina Barakzai Specialist Counsel, Global Privacy and Information Governance, HPE

Nina leads on privacy for M&A, HPE’s bank, global regulatory engagement, and AI ethics. Previously at Meta, Unilever, and Sky, she brings deep expertise in data governance and regularly engages with EU Data Protection Authorities on strategic matters.

Peter Beard
Peter Beard, ACA BFP Founder and Director, GenFinance.AI

Peter has over eight years of experience in finance and accounting. At Ernst & Young (EY), he managed a range of audits (including FTSE and EURO Stoxx 50-listed), contributing to EY's AI research and leading technology transformation projects. Peter was awarded twice by EY UK, for his "Significant contributions to innovation initiatives" and "Exceptional technical proficiency and quality commitment".

Tessa Clarke headshot
Tessa Clarke Co-Founder and CEO, Olio

Tessa leads the world’s only neighbour-to-neighbour food-sharing app. Since 2015, Olio has grown to 8 million users, redistributing over 100 million meals. Recognized as Veuve Clicquot’s Bold Woman of the Year in 2023, Tessa advises the UK Government on SME concerns.

Headshot of Paul Ekwere
Paul Ekwere Senior Manager, Data Innovation and AI BDO LLP UK

Paul serves on the ICAEW Technology Faculty Board and is a Senior Manager at BDO, specialising in Data and AI with a focus on Technology Risk Assurance. He contributes to AI auditing standards, and leads data initiatives. Paul is committed to AI safety, ethics, and promoting diversity in technology.

Headshot of Rachel Harris
Rachel Harris TEDx speaker and Accounting Personality of the Year

Rachel is redefining what it means to be an accountant. As the founder of @accountant_she and striveX, a seven-figure accounting firm, she empowers business owners, influencers, celebrities and fellow accountants with practical financial strategies. With over 150,000 followers, Rachel shares engaging financial education, discussing topics like financial wellbeing, tax strategy and finance related politics.

Kerri Hollick headshot
Kerri Hollick Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant

Kerri Hollick is passionate about empowering leaders through presence. She believes great leaders use their body, voice, and physiology to project confidence, make better decisions and inspire action. With over 20 years of experience, she shares practical techniques to enhance leadership impact through body language and presence.

Julia Penny
Julia Penny Founder, JS Penny Consulting

Julia is extensively involved with the ICAEW as a volunteer and is past President, and a member of the Council. Julia's experience includes working in top 10 and smaller firms of accountants in technical and training roles and for listed companies providing information and training services to accountants. She has experience in specifying software requirements as a subject matter expert and writing content for audit, accounting and anti-money laundering software.

Headshot of Jill Scott
Jill Scott MBE Motivational speaker and panelist

Jill is a celebrated former professional footballer renowned for her commanding midfield presence and significant contributions to women's football. Throughout her illustrious career, Jill amassed numerous accolades, including multiple FA Women's Cups, League Cups, and the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 title with England. Her contributions to football were recognised with an MBE, for services to football.

Headshot of Riaz Shah
Riaz Shah OBE FCA Professor of Practice for Innovation & Leadership, Hult International Business School

Riaz is a former Senior Partner at EY. With over 40 years of experience, he advises companies and developing country governments on how to adapt, lead, and thrive in today’s rapidly changing, complex global landscape.

Alan Vallance
Alan Vallance CEO, ICAEW

Alan was previously CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute, leading the premier professional body for insurance and financial planning. A chartered accountant with Ernst & Whinney, Alan is a Fellow of ICAEW, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an Honorary Fellow of the Korean Institute of Architects.

Headshot of Emma Vardy
Emma Vardy BBC Correspondent and Presenter

Emma is the BBC’s Los Angeles Correspondent combining reporting on and analysing US politics with covering a wide variety of breaking news on the west coast. An engaging and versatile broadcaster, she regularly appears on flagship programmes such as the BBC News at Six and Ten, BBC Breakfast, Radio 4 and Radio 5live.

ICAEW Annual Conference 2025

Thrive in transformation. Hear from thought leaders, economic experts, industry insiders and more discussing how to succeed in an ever-changing landscape.

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