Thank you – recognising the value of Council directors, staff and members

So much of what the Institute does depends on the hard work, enthusiasm and support of many people – staff, Council directors and members. As we look back on another hugely successful Internal Audit Conference, say goodbye to one President and welcome the next, along with those who are serving again, or for the first time, on our Council, it seems the perfect time to say a heart-felt thank you to everyone who helps and supports us.

First, I want to thank Peter Elam, our Immediate Past President, who served for three years and stood up to be counted at a time when we faced so many critical challenges during the Covid crisis and beyond. He, alongside the Council and my predecessor John Wood, plus our CFO Paddy Padmanathan and the whole executive team, not only stabilised the ship at a rocky time, but put us on course for growth. Peter’s calm approach, level-headed advice and inclusion of others were invaluable.

While the President’s role is crucial, the work of other Council directors should not be forgotten even though they may be less visible. I’d therefore also like to thank Jon Whitfield, who Chaired our Business and Finance Committee during this difficult time and who has now finished his maximum six-year period as a director. Similarly, we are grateful to Dermot Byrne, who has been a passionate advocate for the profession for the past six years and who remains a co-director of IIA Training, and Paul Day, who was Chair of the Nominations Committee and is now stepping down as a director at large.

The Council of Directors is made up of volunteer members and the Chief Executive. Together they are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Chartered IIA and for developing goals and objectives. They are accountable to members for the Chartered IIA’s progress. Council Directors serve for a three-year term, renewable once, thus serving a maximum of six years. Elected directors are voted in and ratified or approved at our AGM, which this year took place alongside our Internal Audit Conference in October. Our constitution says that of the 15 directors on the Council, eight must be elected by our members and they serve alongside directors at large (members the Council invites to share specific skills or experience), and co-opted directors who are non-members appointed by the Council for the same reason. The full role of the Council is set out in the Charter and Byelaws of the Institute and details are on our website.

We can now therefore warmly welcome our new President, Sandro Boeri, who will serve with Carolyn Clarke, who has been re-elected to Council, and Steve Evenden as joint Deputy Presidents. Arleen McGichen, becomes a director at large and Chair of the Audit, Business and Risk Committee. Marina McQuade joins as a director at large and will represent the Institute’s regional committees.

Andrew Hinder and Saida Evans were elected as new directors. They join Deepinder Chhabra and Maria Ghibu, who continue  as  co-opted directors, and Piyush Fatania, Clare Keon and Roza Watson, who all continue their roles as elected directors. Many Council members also serve on Institute committees and all except the CEO contribute their time and energy free of charge to champion the profession and support the Institute for the benefit of all. We are hugely grateful to all of them for their ongoing and vital work.

This was the first year that I attended our annual conference and the AGM as the CEO of the Institute and I found it fascinating and exciting to meet so many members and hear the excellent and thought-provoking speakers – if you weren’t able to attend in-person, I strongly recommend you watch the sessions on our on-demand service. It is the only time in the year when this number of internal auditors from across the UK and Ireland get together to hear, think and talk about the profession and where it needs to go in future. It’s a fantastic opportunity and there was a real buzz as people discussed the inspirational speakers and sessions. If I’m honest, the sessions on AI both enthused and frightened me!

Organising this event as well as the AGM is a huge task for a small team, so I want to thank all those involved across the Institute for making it happen. I recognise the amount of work and commitment that goes into it and congratulate everyone for its smooth operation and excellent content.

Having the right people in place to promote the profession and support the Institute’s activities is particularly vital at times of uncertainty and change. We have come through Covid, but economic and political uncertainty is affecting every organisation and all our members – and the Institute is not immune to this.

Our Risk in Focus 2024 research was published in September and aims to help our members navigate the key challenges ahead. In the next few months, we also expect the launch of the new  Global Internal Audit Standards and we are particularly fortunate that both Peter Elam and Liz Sandwith, our former Professional Practices Adviser, are on IIA Global’s Standards Board contributing to the development of The Standards. More on these will appear in future issues of Audit & Risk.

The Chartered IIA UK & Ireland is also delighted that Elizabeth Honer, Chief Executive and Head of Government Internal Audit, sits on the Global IIA Board. Some of you will have seen Elizabeth give a provocative presentation at our recent conference.

As we move into 2024, we will continue to work towards our key objectives of growing our membership, raising the profile of the profession and increasing its influence. One way to do this is to celebrate excellent performance by internal auditors across the UK and Ireland, so I encourage all members to consider entering our annual Audit & Risk Awards. Nominations are open until the end of January, so there is plenty of time to tell us what you are doing to support your organisations and move the profession forwards.

2023 has been an eventful year and there are few signs that the geopolitical and economic environment will become more predictable in 2024, especially given the forthcoming elections in the UK and the US and increasing tensions across the globe. However, uncertainty creates more need for internal audit skills and services and, by continuing to work together, we – the Institute staff, directors and members – can do more to support every type of organisation, whatever challenges they face.

Internal audit work is vital, but not always recognised. We are working to make it more widely appreciated, but, in addition to thanking everyone directly supporting the Chartered IIA, I’d like to extend my thanks to all our members for the work you do across the UK and Ireland. Ultimately, it is your work that enables us to initiate conversations at the highest level and publicise the function’s value. Keep up the good work and see you next year.

This article was published in November 2023.