On Tuesday 5 November, ICAEW formally started the drum roll towards its 2025 Council Elections, with the launch of a dedicated information site.

Between now and the close of nominations on Monday 9 December (noon GMT), as many members as possible are encouraged to stand and vote – plus nominate other members who they think would make good candidates.

In a break with previous ICAEW Council Elections, faculty and community seats are in the contest for the first time, alongside geographical constituencies, making it all the more important for members to get involved.

The governance team has put together a website with all the details that members need about how to stand, vote and nominate. It contains FAQs, the election timetable, plus Council regulations and a host of other materials. 

If anyone has further queries they feel are not answered on the site – or would simply like some additional information – they are encouraged to get in touch with the elections team directly via council.elections@icaew.com.

New voices

While the overall number of available Council seats remains broadly the same, the composition will be different. In 2025 there are 38 seats available across all the various constituencies. Previously, London members could elect up to 15 seats. However, that number has been reduced to nine, which makes room for representation elsewhere. So not only are the seats a lot less London-centric, they open up potential for a more diverse range of candidates to stand and, if they succeed, to join the Council.

Previously, faculty board chairs have been automatically appointed to the Council, but that segment of seats is now being opened up to the voting process. Communities, meanwhile, haven’t been able to elect a Council member at all up till now, so this is particularly exciting for them and provides opportunities for perhaps some previously under-represented voices to add their special knowledge and experience to the Council’s discussions and activities.

Help at hand

Mindful of how new all this will be to some who are thinking of registering an interest, the governance team has added a detailed Council member role profile, outlining skills and experience that Council members must have – or be willing to acquire. 

Lucy Taylor, senior governance manager at ICAEW, says interested applicants don’t need to have all of the relevant skills in place to stand. “In getting on to the Council, you will be thoroughly trained and developed. 

“So as well as enabling you to play a key role in steering ICAEW’s direction, a seat will be hugely beneficial to your personal and professional development. You will go through a formal induction process, have access to CPD and be able to make some exciting connections that could be instrumental in shaping the rest of your career.”

ICAEW President Malcolm Bacchus, says: “My aim as a Council member, and latterly as President, is to leave the Institute in a better place than it was. However, the world is moving faster than ever – so new members of Council with an appreciation of those changes, in the UK and Internationally, and the vision to move ICAEW forward are key to our continuing success.”

He adds: “If being involved in that journey appeals to you, then please consider standing for Council in the forthcoming elections. Whatever your skills, whether you are new to the profession, mid-career or a long-standing member, whether you are in business, practice or the third sector, your insight will be invaluable.”

If you have any questions or queries, contact council.elections@icaew.com