Karen Scholes has been appointed as the new president of ICAS for 2025-26, becoming the sixth woman to hold the role in ICAS’ 171-year history.

Scholes is the Partner Director of Scholes Chartered Accountants, an independent accountancy firm with a focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship.

She succeeds Alison Cornwell, former CFO of Vue International.

Scholes, from Orkney, began her career in the family firm, AJB Scholes, founded by her late father.

She initially ran the practice as the sole practitioner until it was incorporated in 2008. Today, Scholes Chartered Accountants has 36 staff across offices in Kirkwall, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Scholes previously held the role of Vice President of ICAS in 2023, and Deputy President in 2024. Supporting her during her term are David Cruickshank, who has been appointed as Deputy President of ICAS, and Jonny Jacobs, newly appointed Vice President.

Scholes said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be appointed President of the world’s oldest professional accountancy body – an organisation that has supported and shaped my career. While ICAS has a proud and storied history, my focus during my term in office will firmly be on the future.

“Our globally respected Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification continues to open doors to rewarding careers in business, finance, and beyond. Yet, with only around 20 per cent of professionals in fields like accountancy coming from working-class backgrounds, it’s clear there’s more to do.

“The ICAS Foundation is leading the way in closing this gap by supporting young people from low-income backgrounds to access careers in accountancy and finance. And as part of my role as ICAS President, I’m committed to supporting the ongoing work to inspire the next generation and drive greater access to the profession for talented individuals from every walk of life.

“I also want to highlight the flexibility and employer-friendly nature of the ICAS CA training model. It offers an accessible, cost-effective way for organisations of all sizes to nurture and attract top-tier business talent.

“Looking ahead, I’ll be leading an important conversation on the evolving role of the Chartered Accountant, taking a forward-looking approach to how our profession can harness emerging technologies like AI, and help shape the sustainable, resilient economies of the future.”