AIA is governed by a Council of members, responsible for ensuring we deliver the objectives outlined in our Constitution. The Council also decides on AIA’s strategic objectives, monitors our performance in relation to them and oversees our annual budget.
The Council consists of members who are elected at the Annual General Meeting and draws on a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. Encompassing key jurisdictions around the world, the Council represents all our members and reflects AIA's global nature. See more information about AIA.
Shahram has a thriving accountancy practice; one of the oldest and most respected firms in Brighton. With a national client base, the practice specialises in healthcare, media, and entertainment. Shahram prides himself on providing a bespoke and supportive service for their clients. He has an expansive knowledge of business development, accountancy, and taxation.
Register of Interests
Philip is Managing Director at a successful accountancy practice in Manchester, offering a personalised service to business owners, from start-ups to larger companies, and individuals. His client portfolio includes local, national and international clients. Philip specialises in accounts preparation, taxation services, and business development. He qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers and was previously a director at Tenon Accountants. Philip is Chairman of the Qualifications Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. He represents AIA on the HMRC Joint VAT Consultative Committee (JVCC).
Linda is the Finance Manager for Tigress Productions Limited, part of the Endemol Shine Group; an international television production and distribution group. Tigress are a television production company, specialising in Wildlife, Adventure and General Factual formats for the UK and International markets. Linda’s expertise lies in management accounting and reporting, but she is also proficient in financial reporting, management information systems, auditing and taxation.
Les runs a busy accountancy practice with a varied client portfolio. He has accumulated a vast amount of knowledge of accountancy, taxation and business advisory services, working with enterprises of different sizes and sectors. Les has always been an active member of AIA and was an experienced member of the Council and held the office of President from 2013 to 2020. His priority has always been supporting members, whatever their different needs and geographical location and he is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional education and membership services.
Venetia is highly skilled in all areas of company secretarial, legal and corporate governance functions, particularly in multi-national, multi-facility environments. She is the founding partner of VC Associates, a consultancy providing company secretarial, company law and corporate governance services. Venetia has worked for Boards of all levels from listed companies through to small family owned businesses. She is a strong advocate of promoting good corporate governance and has worked for a number of PRA/FCA (and previously FSA) regulated businesses in the financial services sector and large charities, sorting out governance issues, as well as legal and company secretarial issues.
Michael’s background is in the banking sector and financial control, previously working for the Chase Manhatten Bank Singapore and the International Bank of Singapore. His areas of expertise are risk management, compliance, governance, and anti-money laundering, as well as corporate social responsibility and ethics. He was Auditor of the United Nations Association of Singapore (UNAS) and subsequently served as a Board Director. Michael is currently a lead partner in an advisory firm and is well respected in his field and often invited to participate in leadership discussions and dialogues. He is also the President of The London Institute of Banking & Finance Singapore.
Register of Interests
Seth has extensive knowledge of finance and management, currently acting as Managing Director of First Corporate Options Ltd, a management, financial, investment and ICT consultancy, procurement and indenting agency; Weightron International Ltd, the West African representative company of Weightron Bilanciai Group, Europe’s largest weighbridge manufacturers; and Viset Unag Consult Ltd, a financial and management consultancy. Seth advises national and international companies on trade, investment and general management. He is a skilled negotiator and is experienced in international trade and management.
Register of Interests
KS’ expertise lies in business and finance. As Executive Director of East Rise Corporation Limited, a company operating in the mining industry, trading in certified non-conflict African minerals, KS was responsible for the company's finance and logistics operations in Hong Kong and Africa, as well as for sales to the Chinese market. He has extensive commercial experience, gained in Hong Kong and New Zealand, managing large national and multinational organisations. In addition to his role on the Council, he is an active member of the AIA Hong Kong Branch, supporting the Branch's activities and AIA members in the region.
Register of Interests
George is Managing Director of G Josephakis Audit Ltd, a firm of Certified Public Accountants in Cyprus, specialising in auditing and assurance, corporate and personal taxation, business consulting and accounting. He has strong business links in the wider Mediterranean region and is the Executive Director of a Business Consultancy firm based in Sofia, Bulgaria, as well as an active Registered Auditor in Romania and a member of The Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania. George trained as an accountant in London and has significant experience of working in commercial organisations both in the UK and Cyprus before establishing his own practice. George is a dedicated supporter of AIA, acting as President of the AIA Branches in both Cyprus and Greece, and he is actively involved in the efforts to further AIA’s recognition in Greece.
Register of Interests
Andrew Lamb is the senior partner of PKB International Ltd, an international practice, which specialises in UK compliant global tax and accountancy solutions, and has offices in London, Bristol, Luxembourg and Zurich. Andrew has significant experience in the vertical integration of financial management, human resource management, quality management, information systems and international legal/fiscal systems for both corporate and personal business development and investment. He is a proponent of the UK as a global facilitator of international trade, investment and technical resources underpinned by the UK accountancy and legal professions. Andrew was the former President of Association de Brecourt, is Chairman of Mayfair Trust Management and is a member of Association Romande des Intermediaires Financiers (ARIF). Andrew is the immediate past President of the Association and has represented AIA at the IFAC World Congress of Accountants. He continues to play an active role in AIA's operations and is the current Chairman of the AIA Educational and Benevolent Trust.
Hugh is a registered auditor in the Republic of Ireland, founding and managing a flourishing practice offering professional services to a wide range of clients. He is an experienced and sought after advisor to business management at all levels. Hugh trained with 'Big 5' auditing firm, Craig Gardner, and his areas of expertise are auditing, financial accounting, taxation and the supervision of financial undertakings. He is passionate about representing the interests of AIA members in Ireland.
Register of Interests
Gloria started her own accountancy practice to help small and micro businesses to understand their finances and help them grow their business. Dubbed “The Queen of Profit” by her clients, Gloria has focused on increasing her knowledge, expertise and abilities to help small business owners. The practice was named The Most Innovative Small Accountancy Practice in the UK in 2014 and has been featured in The Business Owner's Guide to the UK's Best Accountancy Practices as well as The Most Inspiring Accountants in the World in 2016.
Register of Interests
Twaraq runs and manages his own accountancy practice, he has an in-depth understanding of statutory accounts, abbreviated accounts, audit, taxation, payroll and management accountancy. He advises businesses on management accountancy, financial control systems, software implementation and training. Twaraq is also a skilled mediator, litigation consultant and advocate specialising in employment, fraud, money laundering, tax disputes and forensic accountancy, among other areas.
Register of Interests
Maggie's career has taken her all over Europe, from Dublin to Brussels, and back to the UK. She is Managing Partner at TRA Associates, a consulting firm specialising in regulated industries such as telecommunications, renewable energy, and water. Maggie has a wealth of expertise working in the finance and telecommunications sectors, and in providing strategic advice to clients. Her skill set focuses on business strategy and development, decision-making modelling and financial strategy. She was the first female representative on the AIA Council and is the first female Vice President. Maggie is a great advocate of women in the accountancy profession, supporting gender balance in the board room, and ensuring woman receive pay parity with their male colleagues.
Register of Interests
The Constitution of the Association covers the rights and obligations of Members of the Association and also gives a structured framework for the governance processes of the Association. The Constitution is split into the following separate documents, which come together as one to form the regulatory framework under which the Association operates:
You can access a copy of the Constitution at the foot of this page.
The AIA Constitution sets out the role, responsibilities and rules of the Council.
AIA committees are underpinned by the following key principles:
The AIA Council delegates its powers in the running of the Association to the following committees:
All applications for admission to membership are scrutinised by the Applications & Membership Committee and the Committee satisfies itself as to the qualifications, professional experience, standing and general character of every applicant in line with the Constitution and entry requirements.
Chair: Shahram Moallemi
The Finance Committee is responsible for dealing with all matters relating to the accounts and financial affairs of the Association, the sanctioning of its expenditure and ensuring sufficient funds are maintained to enable the development, delivery and award of qualifications.
Chair: Shahram Moallemi
The Qualifications Committee is responsible for the examinations of the Association including written examinations, practical training, study requirements, the conduct of examinations and compliance with statutory requirements.
Chair: Philip Ford
The AIA Exam Board is responsible for reviewing candidate profiles and exam scripts relating to AIA examinations and receiving the marks for each candidate alongside reviewing performance and making recommendations to the Qualifications Committee.
Chair: AIA Chief Examiner
The Regulatory Oversight Committee deals with scrutiny, oversight and review of the Association’s regulatory requirements as a recognised supervisory body under the Money Laundering Regulations.
The Committee is empowered to make recommendations to the Council to address areas of weakness or highlight areas of good practice relating to AIA’s AML supervision.
Chair: George Josephakis
The Association's Technical Committee is responsible for monitoring and discussing key technical developments in the accountancy profession and the financial world, as well as formulating AIA's views on government consultation documents and commenting on the regulation of the profession.
AIA operates an independent complaints, monitoring and disciplinary function in the public interest.
The Practice Compliance Committee deals with all matters concerning:
The Committee can require remedial action to be taken by a Member, or a Firm in the case of non-compliance with a Regulatory Requirement.
Where there is failure to meet a Regulatory Requirement the Committee in addition to requiring remedial action to be taken within a specified period can:
The Practice Compliance Appeals Committee hears all appeals resulting from decisions taken by the Applications and Membership Committee and the Practice Compliance Committee relating to:
The Committee is empowered to:
The Investigations Committee has the power to:
The Disciplinary Committee has the power to:
The Appeals Committee has the power to:
