Mr Rigby will serve as Deputy President of ICAEW Manchester alongside its current President, Rod Sellers OBE, and Chairman, Michael Colin, and will also sit on the society's executive committee.
Mr Rigby is a well-known figure on the Greater Manchester professional scene. He is an Audit Partner and Regional Managing Partner at Azets, the UK Top 10 accountancy firm which was established in 2016 and in the same year acquired CLB Coopers, at which Mr Rigby had been a partner since 2010.
He said, "I'm looking forward to being part of the committee, which is run by members, for members.
"I was Chairman of my student society early on in my career as a chartered accountant, which helped me appreciate the support we give and receive as fellow professionals. Whether you are in practice or industry, as chartered accountants we can be influential on a wide range of topics."
ICAEW Manchester organises local networking and social events and provides professional development training such as leadership workshops. It also represents members' views on economic and social issues with local government, other professional bodies and the wider business and academic community.
Mr Rigby added, "If there's something on your mind that you think chartered accountants should be shouting about, acting upon or opining on, please let your committee know."
Mr Sellers said, "Graham has played an important role on Manchester's professional scene for many years, and brings a great depth of experience with him. He also understands the way accountancy practice is evolving commercially, and is well-placed to ensure that ICAEW Manchester can reflect and meaningfully respond to those changing dynamics.
"I would like to extend him a warm welcome, and I look forward to working together in the months ahead. These are exciting, and also challenging, times for our profession and our city, and Graham's commitment to both will be vital as we make the most of the opportunities ahead."
ICAEW Manchester represents more than 6,000 ICAEW members in Greater Manchester. It was established in 1851 as the Manchester Society of Chartered Accountants and went on to become one of the five founding district societies of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Notes to editors
ICAEW Manchester represents more than 6,000 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) members and over 600 ACA students in the Greater Manchester area. It is one of the five founding district societies of the ICAEW and traces its history back more than 150 years.
Members of ICAEW Manchester work in accountancy practice, industry, business, charities and the public sector. Nationally the ICAEW has more than 186,000 members and, as an improvement regulator, supervises and monitors more than 12,000 firms.
For further information contact:
Rod Sellers OBE, President, ICAEW Manchester
rodhsellers@gmail.com
Stuart Anderson, Director, Alpha Public Relations
sanderson@alphapr.co.uk
0161 791 0811