Dame Lin Homer appointed to ICAS Council

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has announced that Dame Lin Homer CB is to be appointed to its Council as a Public Interest Member.

Dame Lin will take her place on Council on 28 April, and “join members in upholding the integrity and standing of the chartered accountancy profession”, the body said.

She succeeds Judith Sischy, and her appointment is for four years.

Dame Lin will be joining incumbent Public Interest Members, Robert Black and Rhona Brankin; and Colin McClatchie who was appointed on 1 January 2017.

Public Interest Members serve as full members of the Council and have equal voting rights with the CA Members.

In addition to serving on Council, Dame Lin, will sit on some of the other Council Committees, and ICAS Operational Boards.

She is a qualified lawyer with many years’ experience as a chief executive in local and central government, the Home Office and the Department for Transport.

She was Chief Executive of HMRC from 2012-2016, where she oversaw the tax authority’s digital transformation strategy. During this time, she worked with ICAS, seeking feedback from members on the progress of the tax authority’s move online.

Since leaving HMRC, Dame Lin has taken up a role on the governing body of the University of Birmingham, and now, as a Public Interest Member on the ICAS Council.

Dame Lin said: “My role is to ensure that ICAS fulfils its public interest responsibilities as set out in its Royal Charter.

“I will strive to ensure that the public interest remains at the heart of ICAS’ activities.

“During my time with HMRC I worked closely with all the accountancy bodies, including ICAS, and I look forward to working with members again to uphold the Institutes’ standards and values.”

ICAS chief executive, Anton Colella, said: “Dame Lin’s clear understanding and commitment to the safeguarding of the public interest will ensure that the interests of members and the public are kept at the forefront of our strategy and operations.

“Her appointment follows other key senior appointments of Public Interest Members to ICAS and makes a clear statement about our ambition and determination to ensure that our public interest remit is delivered to the very highest standards.

“We look forward to Dame Lin’s contribution on Council. Her perspective, skills and experience will be of great value.”