Anton Colella, CEO of the chartered accountants’ professional body ICAS, is to leave the organisation to take up a new role as global CEO of international accountancy network Moore Stephens International.
Colella joined ICAS in 2006 from the Scottish Qualification Authority.
ICAS president Brian Souter said: “Over the past decade, Anton has been the architect of a transformed ICAS and we want to thank him for his immense contribution.
“We wish him well with his new endeavours and we believe he will continue to have a valuable role as a leader in the accountancy profession.
“We will commence a recruitment process to find a successor who can lead ICAS forward and continue to position us as one of the world’s most influential business networks.”
Colella will remain in place during that recruitment process.
Colella said: “It is with a heavy heart that I leave ICAS after 10 years.
“I would like to thank all those who I have worked with in my tenure as chief executive, especially our members and our outstanding employees.
“I believe that working together we have taken huge and important steps towards building the leading global professional community.
“However, after ten years at the helm at ICAS the opportunity to become global CEO at Moore Stephens International was impossible to resist, especially as it allows me to continue to lead change at the heart of the global profession.”
Moore Stephens International chairman Richard Moore said: “We are delighted that Anton is joining Moore Stephens International at this important time.
“He is a motivational leader and is highly respected by major firms, global professional bodies, regulators and governments.
“His experience offers a unique insight into the challenges facing our business and he brings change management skills which will greatly benefit our network and its member firms.
“Anton’s appointment provides the inspiration, direction and challenge necessary to achieve the objectives of Moore Stephens International and cement our position as a major global business.”
Colella added: “This is a hugely exciting time to be joining Moore Stephens International.
“I will relish the opportunity of working with all our 28,000 people to bring to life our new strategy and drive our organisation forward together.
“The accountancy and advisory world is at a crossroads, where the challenges of technology, ethics and geopolitical upheaval will present opportunities for those who are bold enough and ambitious enough to seize them.
“Moore Stephens International is extremely well placed to build on the success of the past and grasp the opportunities of the future to enhance our position as one of the world’s leading networks.”