ICAS-member local Area Networks
The area networks act as local links between ICAS and its members, supporting the Institute’s strategic direction, relaying member feedback and delivering a calendar of exclusive events.
The 22,000 members of ICAS form an international business network that spans industries and continents so, wherever you call home, you’re never far from a CA connection. Our UK local area networks are just one of the many ways in which we foster those bonds between our members.
From Aberdeen to London, and plenty of places in between, the area networks act as local links between CAs and ICAS. In conjunction with providing information, updates and supporting ICAS’ strategic direction, they also represent their members’ views and provide a platform for delivering feedback direct to those at the helm of the profession.
In addition, the area networks form smaller communities within the wider, global membership, delivering a calendar of special events and opportunities to engage, inspire, inform and connect.
Why get involved with your Area Network?
The Area Networks' committee members work in conjunction with ICAS Members Board to deliver the member-engagement strategy within the geography of the network:
- connect with members and students (with a specific focus on younger members) and encourage them to engage with ICAS.
- support in communicating key ICAS initiatives to the network.
- provide feedback to ICAS Members Board from members and students.
- help to identify suitable members for positions on ICAS committees (in particular ICAS Council).
How to get involved with your Area Network
You'll find details of your UK local area network below, and if you'd like to get involved please contact members@icas.com.
Connect with your local area network
London
Jason Harvie - London Area Network Chair
Jason Harvie joined Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) as an Investment Manager in the Private Markets division in 2015. He is predominantly focused on Private Equity direct co-investments across Europe. The investment strategy is generalist in nature and he is involved with a broad portfolio of assets across industries.
Prior to joining ASI, Jason worked in Mergers & Acquisitions advisory at Energy specialist Investment Bank Simmons & Company, where he qualified as a CA (2012). His primary focus being European oilfield service transactions. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from The University of St Andrews, is Chair of the ICAS London Area Committee and is an ICAS Financial Services Ambassador.
Lothian and Borders
Colin Young CA - Lothian and Borders Area Network Chair
Colin is Finance Business Partner at Diageo and part of the Cameronbridge Distillery Leadership Team. Cameronbridge Distillery in Fife is one of the largest distilleries in the world, home to Tanqueray Gin, and a Bio Energy Plant.
Colin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2010 with a MA Hons in Business and Accounting. He trained to be a CA with Chiene + Tait LLP in Edinburgh and qualified in 2013. After a stint with Johnson Carmichael in Aberdeen, he then moved to industry with Edrington as Commercial Finance Analyst for Emerging Europe markets and Turkey. In 2017 he moved to a finance role within the strategy team at the International Supply Centre, Diageo.
During his CA training, Colin led the Student Society in Scotland. In 2014, Colin represented ICAS at the One Young World Conference in Dublin and was ICAS' first 'Chartered Accountants Worldwide' ambassador and 'One Young World' ambassador. In 2015, he was listed as a rising star in CA magazine and included in the Top 100 Young CA listings for 2018 and 2019.
Outside of the office, Colin is very passionate about sports, travelling and cooking.
Glasgow and West
Craig Maxwell - Area Network Chair
Craig joined Mazars in 2016 and is an experienced and trusted business adviser with a career spanning more than 17 years working with a varied client base.
As part of the Audit & Assurance team in Scotland and understanding the positive impact strong corporate governance and accurate financial reporting can have on a company, Craig takes great pride in building relationships with business owners and working closely with them to ensure their statutory audit and financial reporting needs are met.
With Mazars offering a comprehensive range of business services, including tax, corporate finance, accounts and outsourcing, personal tax and financial planning to leading businesses and individuals, Craig is supported by a strong network of senior professionals and with a focus on quality personal client service and relationships, he ensures that all our clients business needs are fully met at all times.
Craig trained and qualified in Glasgow with a well-known Scottish independent firm, following which he spent 13 years in Sydney, Australia with a global mid-tier firm. Throughout Craig’s career he has developed a portfolio of work ranging from smaller single entity audits through to the audit of major multinationals including public listed, large international groups, privately owned and owner managed businesses. Craig's experience to date covers industries such as media and entertainment, technology, high street retail, wholesale product distribution and portfolio and funds management.
Grampian
Elizabeth Gammie - Grampian Area Network Chair
Elizabeth Gammie is a Professor of Accounting at the Robert Gordon University where she is Head of the Aberdeen Business School. She trained with Ernst and Whinney in the Aberdeen office and specialised in tax on qualification. She subsequently moved into academia and now has over 25 years’ experience in the Higher Education sector. Over the years she has developed her career by undertaking a part-time PhD, developing a very successful Accounting and Finance under-graduate degree, building a research portfolio, heading up the Department of Accounting and Finance and from 2016 taking on the role as Head of School.
She has been involved with many ICAS Boards and Committees, including various stints on the local Area Committee, chaired the Student Education Committee, sat on the Qualification Board, the TPE Exam Board, the Technical Policy Board and perhaps most notably sat on ICAS Council for 6 years. She currently sits on the International Accounting Education Standards Board, is a Trustee of the ICAS Foundation, a member of the ICAS Audit Committee, a Trustee of the RDA Aberdeen group, a Governor of St Margaret’s School for Girls and chairs the Grampian Area Committee.
Highlands
John Todd - Highlands Area Network Chair
John Todd is a Partner at Johnston Carmichael based in Inverness. John provides tax advice to clients across the Highlands and beyond and has a particular focus on advising entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and the owner managed business sector.
Prior to joining Johnston Carmichael in 2004, John was Financial Controller for the Scottish operations of an international aquaculture group, headquartered in Oslo, Norway.
Having graduated from Glasgow University, John began his accountancy adventures with Scott Oswald in 1993. He qualified as a CA in 1997 and has served on the ICAS Highland Area Network committee since 2011. He also spent six years as a Member of the ICAS Tax Board up until 2018 and currently sits on the Scottish Taxes sub-committee. His other qualifications include being a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT).
John is a non-executive director of the charity / social enterprise, New Start Highland. It tackles poverty, homelessness and long-term unemployment in the Highlands and he has sat on its Board since 2013.