Meet the ICAS team

Role & Responsibilities
The Chief Executive is responsible for leading the development and execution of the ICAS Strategy and business plan, as well as ensuring that ICAS fulfils its purpose, vision and values. He or she is appointed by the Office Bearers and reports directly to the ICAS Council.

Experience
Bruce was appointed Chief Executive in March 2018 having initially joined ICAS in May 2017 as Executive Director, Policy Leadership.

As Head of PwC’s Scottish Corporate Restructuring practice from 2001-2016, Bruce led the team on a number of high-profile solvent and insolvent corporate restructures in Scotland and abroad. His final significant assignment was as one of the Global Receivers in the Receivership of OW Bunker, a $17 billion turnover Danish-listed company supplying fuel to the global shipping market.

Bruce qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989. Following an initial period in the Assurance practice he spent the vast majority of his professional career in PwC’s restructuring team. Primarily working across the UK, he also worked in Malaysia, Central Europe and Denmark. He was seconded to Royal Bank of Scotland and Carnaud Metal Box during his PwC career. Bruce also spent one year at Ernst & Young.

Bruce is also a former member of Council and chaired the Insolvency Committee, Technical Policy Board and Oversight Committee in relation to Scottish Independence.

Role & Responsibilities
The Executive Director Learning leads the team in ICAS that is responsible for all aspects of the development, oversight and delivery of every ICAS qualification. He or she ensures that all those studying with ICAS experience a flexible, innovative learning journey that will equip them with the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to lead in the changing accounting profession of tomorrow. The role also ensures that ICAS properly fulfils its responsibilities as a Recognised Qualifying Body.

Experience
Alice Deakin was appointed Executive Director Learning in October 2020.  Her focus will be on leading the transformation of the Learning function at ICAS to increase the use of digital technologies in online learning, driving the range and flexibility of ICAS products for students.

Alice has over 23 years of finance, commercial and education experience gained from time in both practice and industry. On qualifying with Arthur Andersen with experience in Tax and Audit, Alice moved into industry. She spent two years working in Strategy and M&A with global media giant Clear Channel before being appointed CFO of IndigoVision plc. She then returned to practice where, as a Director at Deloitte, Alice advised client organisations on governance, board responsibilities and the development of finance talent through the renowned CFO Programme. Before joining ICAS, Alice spent 7 years running her own highly successful consultancy in Executive Leadership Development, supporting clients in professional services, financial services and finance functions.

Alice is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, holds a first-class Law degree from the University of Durham and is a qualified Executive Coach.  She is also a Trustee of the True Athlete Project.

Role & Responsibilities
The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day corporate and operational functions of ICAS. He or she works closely with the Chief Executive to monitor ICAS’ finances and risk environment, ensuring that the aims of the business plan are being properly pursued. The Chief Operating Officer is also the key liaison with ICAS’ Audit & Risk Committee, which has oversight of risk management, as well as external and internal audit functions.

Experience
Lesley graduated from Glasgow University gaining an LLB with Honours in Public International law. Lesley undertook her accountancy training with Strathclyde Regional Council, becoming a CIPFA member and prizewinner.

Lesley moved away from the local authority sector shortly after qualifying, spending a number of years in the education sector before joining ICAS. Lesley is also a member of the Board of Management of South Lanarkshire College.

Role & Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Standards is responsible for ensuring that ICAS delivers its regulatory functions and strategy, working closely with ICAS’ Regulation Board. He or she ensures that professional standards are maintained through effective processes for licensing, monitoring and disciplinary matters. In addition, the role includes oversight of the Practice Support and Technical Policy Teams.

Experience
Michelle Mullen joined ICAS in 1998 as a trainee solicitor and was appointed Executive Director in 2011.  

She has a wealth of regulatory experience after nearly 20 years working within the chartered accountancy profession. As Executive Director, Michelle has responsibility for the various regulatory functions of ICAS, ensuring that ICAS is a leading regulator and that our CA members, firms and affiliates adhere to the highest professional and technical standards.  

Michelle is a qualified solicitor and has developed particular interests in professional governance, regulatory law and policy and public interest discipline.

Role & Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Customer Experience leads the teams in ICAS which are responsible for delivering services to Members and Students. He or she ensures that ICAS meets its commitment to offering the highest possible level of service to all customers. The role also includes executive management of ICAS’ digital and IT functions.

Experience
Carolyn Spencer is Executive Director Customer Experience. The Customer Experience team is a newly formed team focussed on delivering an excellent service to ICAS Members, Students and Firms. The service will continue to be personal, befitting of a Membership organisation, it will enable channels of choice in a sustainable, digital first and secure manner.

Carolyn started her career in the electronics industry, with a particular emphasis on process improvement and quality assurance. This led to the development into the Digital and Change arena, where, prior to joining ICAS she led a Global Digital Operations team. Carolyn joined ICAS in 2014 and led the Digital Transformation activities. In her current role, she will continue to work with the ICAS team on process improvement, technology and innovation.

Role & Responsibilities
The Executive Director of Member Engagement & Communications is responsible for ensuring that ICAS has a strong and supportive relationship with its Members and Students and to raise the profile of ICAS externally. This involves the development and execution of effective engagement and communication strategies, brand and marketing campaigns, the amplification of Thought Leadership as well as continued focus on the content on icas.com and across all our digital channels.

Experience
Sarah Speirs is the Executive Director of Member Engagement and Communications at ICAS and joined the team in April 2019.

Sarah’s focus will be on growing membership engagement, delivering value, developing ICAS’ communications strategy and promoting our external voice and influence with Governments and stakeholders.

She possesses an extensive knowledge of working for a professional body having worked for RICS, both in London and Edinburgh for over 19 years. She brings with her a wealth of experience and a formidable strategy and communications background having led and deployed many high-impact global membership engagement campaigns. She also possesses a strong background in public policy, media relations, brand development, marketing and influencing. Prior to joining RICS, Sarah spent 6 years working in the education sector.

Sarah has also held a number of Non-Executive Director roles having previously been a Director of the Scottish Arbitration Centre; a Council Member of NHBC; a Director of Safe Deposits Scotland and a Director of the Scottish Building Contracts Committee.

Sarah has an MBA from Napier University and is a member of both CIPR and CMI.