Meet the One Young CA judges

Each year, ICAS seeks the CAs aged 35 and under making a positive impact in the categories of technology, trust and talent. The Top Young CAs competition showcases the best and brightest in the world of accounting, finance and business.
Following an initial judging process, the Top 100 Young CAs for 2020 were revealed in the supplement to this month’s CA magazine.
Attention now turns to the announcement in October of this year’s winner, the One Young CA. Ahead of the decision, the One Young CA candidates were invited to present to the judging panel.
The overall winner will be profiled in November’s CA magazine and will represent ICAS at the One Young World forum, due to be held in Munich in April 2021. In the run-up to October, the judges explain what it takes to be made the One Young CA.
Bruce Pritchard CA
Bruce Pritchard CA is COO, International, of Liminal BioSciences. He has spent over two decades working in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industry and has held a number of senior global positions at the firm.
He is currently Deputy President of ICAS and an experienced trustee, NED and audit committee chair.
“I am looking for someone who is genuinely excited to be a CA – someone with a desire to leverage their skills to the benefit of themselves, their clients, their community and the wider profession. Above all, someone who sees the need for CAs to evolve to remain relevant in the ever-changing business landscape.”
Sobhan Afzal CA
Sobhan Afzal CA is Senior Auditor at Audit Scotland, carrying out financial audits across the public sector. He started his career at Audit Scotland in 2013 after graduating from the University of Strathclyde and qualified as a CA in 2017.
He has become increasingly involved with ICAS in recent years and was appointed to sit on its council in 2019. He is also a member of the members board and the Glasgow and West area network.
“I’ll be looking for the candidates who can demonstrate that they are ready and able to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the Covid-19 pandemic and use them to develop new ways of working going forward.”
Elizabeth Gammie CA
Elizabeth Gammie CA is Head of Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University. She moved into academia after qualifying as a CA and now has more than 25 years’ experience in the higher education sector.
She has been involved with ICAS Council, as well as its boards and committees, and is a trustee of the ICAS Foundation, which supports students.
“I am looking for someone who has gone above and beyond, by adding value to their organisation, their community and society. I am looking for individuals who have taken their CA qualification and used it to enhance and benefit the lives of others.”
Katherine Ritchie CA
Katherine Ritchie CA is Head of Strategy and Transformation at Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis company reimagining nuclear medicine and cancer care. She also spent over six years in M&A consulting with EY.
She is a member of the ICAS members board and London area network. She is also a mental health first-aider.
“I am looking for a passionate person who is proud of their successes and who strives to make a significant positive impact. I am keen to see how gaining their CA qualification has helped them in their achievements to date, and how they will help influence ICAS’ agenda in the future.”
Rhona Thomson CA
Rhona Thomson CA is Executive Director and Co-Head of the Morgan Stanley Fund Services accounting group, and manages the Glasgow accounting, product development and client service teams.
In addition to the ICAS members board, she sits on the Morgan Stanley Europe mental health advisory board and Glasgow Economic Leadership’s financial and business services workstream.
“I have been looking for someone with a vision of how they can utilise their CA qualification to make a difference in society and challenge ICAS to move forward and improve further. They should also be able to inspire their fellow CAs to develop and make a difference.”
Join us at the CA Summit on 8 October, where we'll announce this year's One Young CA, for an afternoon of learning, growth and inspiration.