ICAS appoints Karen Scholes as new president

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland has announced the appointment of Karen Scholes CA as its new president for 2025/26, making her the sixth woman to hold the role in ICAS’ 171-year history. 

Scholes, who is the partner director of independent accountancy firm Scholes CA, succeeds Alison Cornwell CA – the former chief financial officer of Vue International. 

She began her career in the family firm, AJB Scholes, which was founded by her late father. Scholes initially ran the practice as the sole practitioner in the firm until it was incorporated in 2008. Today, Scholes CA has exactly 36 members of staff across offices in Kirkwall, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. 

Previously, Scholes also held the role of vice president of ICAS in 2023, and deputy president in 2024. 

Supporting her during her term are David Cruickshank CA, who has been appointed as deputy president of ICAS, and Jonny Jacobs CA, 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.

“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.”

Cruickshank said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of ICAS’ deputy president and to work alongside Karen, our president, and Jonny, our vice president. The ICAS qualification has afforded me so many opportunities throughout my career and I’d like to pay that forward to the next generation of members and potential members from all backgrounds. Our Institute is as valuable and relevant today as it’s ever been, and I want to make sure that all our members benefit from it to the greatest extent possible.”

Jacobs said: “Being appointed ICAS vice president holds both personal and professional significance for me. Coming from a working-class background and being the first in my family to attend university, the journey hasn’t always been easy. Most importantly, it’s a privilege to give back to a membership which has supported me so well throughout my career.”

Bruce Cartwright CA, chief executive of ICAS, added: “Karen brings a wealth of experience to ICAS from her thirty-year career in practice and directing her own successful business. Like many CAs, she’s devoted her career to nurturing, advising and supporting the type of SME clients that make up thriving local economies the length and breadth of the UK. She’s also devoted a great deal of time and expertise to ICAS over the years, through her invaluable contributions to our Council and Practice Board. Her enthusiasm and understanding of the value of ICAS membership and the CA qualification is of huge value to our efforts to grow the profession and inspire the next generation of CA students.

“I would also like to congratulate David Cruickshank CA and Jonny Jacobs CA who have been appointed as our new deputy president and vice president.”