Compiled by the Accountancy Age editorial team, the Financial Power List 2018 ranks the 50 individuals who we believe will have significant influence on the direction of the accountancy industry over the next 12 months. Individuals considered for the list span government, practice and business with the rankings reflecting who has the power to make an impact in 2018.
Make sure you check back to view the full rankings, which will be released on 31 January, with five individuals announced every day between now and the end of the month.
Here, we reveal the individuals who have made positions 16-20 on this year’s list.
20. Paul Eagland, Managing Partner, BDO
Notching up a fifth consecutive year of growth last year, Eagland will be hoping to lead BDO to a sixth year of profit and revenue rises in 2018. The achievement seems likely – the firm has embarked on a digital transformation project, including investment in cloud technology, audit software and cyber security to strengthen its client offering, as well as boosting its headcount and expanding its office presence in the UK. With 1,100 individuals promoted last year, the firm has no shortage of talent to deliver strong results in 2018.
19. Melanie Richards, Deputy Chair, KPMG UK
Appointed as deputy chair of KPMG UK in October last year, Richards will have significant influence on the Big Four firm’s strategic direction this year as well as policy positions around the big topics. But Richards will also be one of the key industry leaders on diversity and social mobility this year. KPMG won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its work on social mobility in 2017 in recognition of the firm’s commitment to promoting opportunity, and Richards will continue to be a key champion of these issues moving forward.
18. Derek Mackay, Finance Secretary, Scotland
Tax and policy divergence from the UK is high on the agenda for the Scottish finance secretary. Having delivered the 2018-19 budget at the end of last year, Mackay sought to distance Scotland from Hammond’s policies by announcing an income tax reform, increasing the higher and top rates of tax and introducing new bands. There are obstacles ahead. He must now win support for the budget ahead of the vote in February, but Mackay will be confident he can rise to the challenge and deliver in 2018.
17. Sarah Churchman, UK Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing, PwC
Awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list in recognition of her work in championing workplace diversity and inclusion, Churchman will not be slowing down in her efforts to drive awareness and change at PwC and in the wider industry. The firm published a mean gender pay gap of 13.7% in 2017, narrowing the gap from 15.2% in 2016, and Churchman will be behind the drive to close the gap further this year.
16. Sarah Albon, Inspector General and Chief Executive, the Insolvency Service
2018 has already been busy for the Insolvency Service. Following the collapse of Carillion, the Official Receiver will be looking into the company failure as well as any misconduct of directors, but there’s pressure on government to help prevent a domino effect of companies experiencing the same fate. Albon will be continuing to lead work this year on modernising the Insolvency Service’s service delivery, providing value for money services and achieving future financial stability – not easy goals to deliver in the current economic environment.