1 March 2016
Speaking to an audience of accounting and finance leaders, academics and students at University of Edinburgh Business School’s Centre for Accounting and Society (CAS), he explained how the Institute’s ‘Power of One’ initiative was empowering practitioners to exercise better judgement.
Through the campaign, ICAS aims to help restore trust in big business by positively influencing the behaviour of its international network of chartered accountants.
In a wide-ranging discussion he commended efforts being made to improve diversity across the sector, citing ICAS’ own success in appointing female presidents – including Edinburgh alumni Jann Brown and Isobel Sharp.
Pettigrew, who will hand over the reins to current deputy Ken McHattie later this year, also outlined his golden rules for business success.
Above all, he said, it was essential to have an easy to communicate business strategy, and to balance entrepreneurs’ ‘can do’ spirit with robust governance.
The Centre for Accounting and Society will welcome new president, Ken McHattie, for the next President’s lecture in 2017.