Meet the CAs challenging themselves for the ICAS Foundation
By CA magazine
26 October 2023
Deputy President Alison Cornwell CA recently asked 25 fellow CAs to step up and raise awareness of the ICAS Foundation as well as £1,000 apiece through a personal challenge. Ten of the 25 volunteers reveal what they’re doing and why
Alison Cornwell CA, Deputy President, ICAS
The ICAS Foundation is an incredible organisation which increases access to the profession. Last year I was delighted to raise more than £25,000, recruit mentors and build awareness for the foundation by cycling 1,000 miles across Britain in nine days. While more than 200 people donated last year, we want to increase engagement in the CA community. Consequently we’ve launched the Foundation 25 – recruiting 25 volunteer CAs to undertake a personal challenge to raise £1,000 each from family, friends and, most importantly, from CAs from our personal networks.
I have decided to cycle solo for 100 miles, on a day of my choosing – and when it’s not raining! You might opt to read War and Peace from cover to cover or abstain from caffeinated drinks for 30 days. Anything goes and the timing is flexible.
The ICAS Foundation is important to me. I consider myself very fortunate to have enjoyed an excellent education, resulting in ICAS membership and a successful and enjoyable career. But not everybody finds themselves in such a privileged position.
Actions speak louder than words and your participation will deliver real support in the university education of very talented and driven ICAS Foundation students, the majority of whom go on to achieve a first-class or upper-second degree, setting them on the pathway to a successful and fulfilling career. If you would like to join our campaign please get in touch using the link.
Ricky Munday CA
Occupation FD, Mines Advisory Group; Founder, Inspire Alpine
Challenge I’m attempting to cycle across Scotland on the John Muir Way in one long day. It’s a 212km route from Helensburgh to Dunbar, with an 1,800m ascent.
Why did you choose this challenge? I’m not a regular cyclist, so this will take me far out of my comfort zone. I’ve always wanted to walk or ride the John Muir Way, so this is the perfect opportunity to raise funds for such a great cause on a very personal challenge.
What does the ICAS Foundation mean to you? I grew up on a council estate in Glasgow, so I understand where the young people it supports come from and some of the challenges they face. Your economic background should never define your future – it’s fundamentally unfair. I founded Inspire Alpine as a social enterprise to help to close the attainment gap, so the ICAS Foundation mission aligns with my own. It’s vital our profession reflects society as a whole.
Chinwendu Ogboh CA
Occupation Accountant, AB CarVal
Challenge Half-marathon
Why did you choose this challenge? I have always been a short-distance runner – in the past I competed in 200m sprints for the Cambridge Harriers. But I never attempted the longer distances and felt this would be an interesting test to see how far I can go for a worthy cause.
What does the ICAS Foundation mean to you? It’s an excellent resource for young people from disadvantaged communities to gain support. As a Nigerian immigrant, I had struggles accessing funding for university, which delayed my study by four years. I eventually had an opportunity through the KPMG school-leaver scheme (now discontinued), which provided the funding and mentorship to attend university and pursue a career in accountancy. A lot of young people would benefit from the ICAS Foundation’s support. Its work widens access and increases diversity in the profession.
Komal Madani CA
Occupation Audit Manager, KPMG
Challenge Ultra Challenge half-marathon
Why did you choose this challenge? I was badly injured to the extent where it was difficult to walk for months, which makes me appreciate the freedom that comes with simple movement, such as walking and running. With that in mind, and having fully recovered, I signed up for the Ultra Challenge half-marathon to push myself out of my comfort zone and try to achieve more than I would have otherwise.
What does the ICAS Foundation mean to you? As a member since 2016, I would not trade my time with ICAS for anything. It has given me the chance to live in new cities, such as Edinburgh and Birmingham, while I was studying for the exams and obtain both a professional qualification and a university degree. Fundraising for the ICAS Foundation is one way for me to share the enjoyable experiences I have had and to give back to the ICAS community.
Carol Flockhart CA
Occupation Finance and Payroll Partner, CT
Challenge I’m walking 25 miles in a day, along the John Muir Way from Edinburgh to North Berwick.
Why did you choose this challenge? I love the outdoors and am a keen walker, having covered many of Scotland’s long-distance walks and byways in recent years. This route runs alongside my usual daily train commute, so it brings a new perspective.
What does the ICAS Foundation mean to you? Opportunity. I was the first in my family to go to university, and to get a professional qualification like the CA, which is giving me amazing opportunities in life. I want others to have that too, and the ICAS Foundation helps make that possible for people who might ordinarily not get the chance.
Bruce Cartwright CA
Occupation CEO, ICAS
Challenge Boxing training has become a passion but also my most challenging exercise ever – 12 three-minute rounds and no time to clock watch! I also walk and spin, so my personal challenge is 15 hours of boxing training, 120 miles of walking and 15 hours of spin training.
Chris Barber CA
Occupation CFO, ICAS
Challenge I’m doing the Edinburgh Mighty Stride Kiltwalk, a 21-mile route around Edinburgh, a distance I haven't dared broach since I was much younger and fitter.
Geraldine Gammell CA
Occupation NED, Golden Charter
Challenge I’ve opted to really challenge myself by hosting five dinner parties. As my friends know, I am not one for cooking, so this will be a great deal tougher than it sounds!
Elizabeth Gammie CA
Occupation Dean of Aberdeen Business School, RGU
Challenge My colleagues and I are walking 10 miles. It’s an inclusive event, with staff of varying fitness levels, so not a marathon, but nor a stroll in the park. And we have a track record of organising walks in torrential downpours.
Richard Grant CA
Occupation NED
Challenge I’m sky-diving for the first time, aged 57. I was going to cycle but my daughter said: “Dad you always cycle! Do something different like abseiling or a sky dive.”
Graham Getty CA
Occupation Retired FD
Challenge I’m cycling 3,297 miles from August 1 to December 31. That’s equivalent to the driving distance from Seattle to Miami, coast to coast from the north-west to the south-east.
The ICAS Foundation
The ICAS Foundation supports academically talented students from disadvantaged communities to study accountancy. As a charity relying on donations, the foundation couldn’t do what it does without the help of ICAS members – and it needs your support more than ever before.
Annual renewal 2024 offers you the opportunity to give back by donating to the ICAS Foundation.
Find out how you can donate via your annual renewal here.
Donate to the Foundation here.
Rise to the challenge and sign up to join Foundation 25