New president named for Icas

Accountancy body Icas today named Sandy Manson, chief executive of Johnston Carmichael, as its new president.

Manson will succeed Sir Brian Souter, the chairman and co-founder of Perth-based transport giant Stagecoach.

Supporting Manson in his role as president are Mike Mckeon, non-executive director of National Express, who has been appointed deputy president of Icas, and Catherine Burnet, senior partner for KPMG in Scotland, who has been appointed vice president of the accountancy body.

Manson said: “I am extremely proud to take the helm at the world’s first accountancy body, founded by my predecessors more than 160 years ago.

“A key focus for me during my term in office will be to work to increase the level of public trust in business and to strive to promote the values and further enhance the reputation of our profession.

“We have a critical role to play in building public trust. Icas and our 21,000 chartered accountants need to lead the way.”

Bruce Cartwright, chief executive of Icas, said: “Sandy has spent his working life in the accountancy profession and has over a decade of experience as CEO of Johnston Carmichael.

“His talent as a business leader and his standing within the profession will be of great value to Icas and our members over the course of the year.”

Under Manson’s leadership, Johnston Carmichael has grown its fee income from £20 million to £44m and its headcount from 300 to 700 through a combination of organic growth and acquisition.

He became managing partner of the firm’s Aberdeen office in 1995 and chief executive in 2007. He studied at the University of Edinburgh.