Michael Izza

Chief Executive

Michael has been ICAEW Chief Executive since 2006. Under his leadership, ICAEW has started to transform itself into an international professional accountancy body, headquartered in the UK.

A key part of his role is to promote the contribution made by members and the profession as a driver of business and economic confidence and growth across the world.

As a leader of the profession, Michael regularly meets ministers and regulators globally to facilitate ICAEW’s activity and is a regular media commentator on issues facing the profession and business community internationally.

Prior to becoming Chief Executive, Michael was also ICAEW’s Executive Director of Finance and Operations and Chief Operating Officer.

In 2008 – 2009 he chaired three Treasury working groups tasked with identifying valuers for state-owned financial services companies. He was also chair of an international taskforce set up by the Leading Group to examine the relative merits of an international financial transactions tax. He has also been a member of the UK government-convened Small Business Economic Forum.

Prior to joining ICAEW, Michael worked at Spring Group Plc from 1997 to 2001 where he was managing director of several businesses and group finance director. From 1989 to 1996 he worked for Canadian company, John Labatt Ltd., latterly as managing director of the retail arm of the business with responsibility for public houses in the UK.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1986 with Coopers & Lybrand after graduating in law from Durham University, where he was also president of the student union. Michael has also acted as a school governor for eleven years and as a trustee of several charities.