ICB is welcoming two new Non-Executive Directors to the Board as we celebrate 30 years of supporting and championing the bookkeeping profession.
Juliette Foster and Richard Thomas bring a wealth of experience in communications, business, financial services and organisational growth, joining ICB at an exciting time as the profession continues to evolve.
Their appointments add new perspectives and experience to the Board as ICB looks ahead to the next 30 years, building on the strong foundations created by founders June and Garry Carter. Both June and Garry continue to play an integral role in the business, which is now led by CEO Ami Copeland.
A profession with a bright future
“We are seeing our highest numbers of student registrations since the Covid years,” said Ami Copeland, CEO.
“That tells us something important about the future of bookkeeping. People are choosing it as a career because they want work that is useful, varied and gives them the opportunity to build something of their own.
“Bookkeepers are at the heart of so many organisations. They help business owners understand what is happening with their finances, make better decisions and keep moving forward. That is a profession worth celebrating, and ICB has a really important role in making sure bookkeepers have the knowledge, recognition and support to do that job brilliantly.”
Welcome, Juliette and Richard
Juliette Foster joins the Board bringing more than 30 years of experience in journalism, broadcasting and communications. Her career has included Sky News, Bloomberg, the BBC and the BBC World Service, and she is also the founder of Magnus Communications.
An experienced conference moderator, Juliette has worked with organisations including the OECD, UNICEF and PwC. She brings a strong understanding of communication, public engagement and the importance of asking the right questions.
“I’m genuinely delighted to be joining the ICB board. The organisation’s mission and the calibre of its work really resonate with me, and I’m looking forward to supporting the team as it continues to grow its impact,” said Juliette.
“I hope to bring a clear, communicative perspective to the board’s discussions and to contribute wherever my experience can be most useful.”
Richard Thomas joins ICB with extensive experience across financial services, technology and business growth. A former HM Treasury official, he has held senior roles at LCP and Punter Southall and founded and led XPS Pension Group Administration, now one of the UK’s largest pension administration businesses.
He also has extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director and charity chair, with a particular interest in helping organisations develop and grow.
“I’m delighted to be joining ICB at what feels like a particularly interesting time for the organisation and for the bookkeeping profession,” said Richard.
“Technology and AI are changing the way people work, but I think that creates opportunities as well as challenges. I’m looking forward to working with the Board and the ICB team as the organisation continues to develop and grow.”
Looking ahead to the next 30 years
ICB continues to build at pace with announcements this year around major updates to the qualification route and syllabus, ensuring bookkeepers keep up with changing profession.
The new syllabus places greater emphasis on technology, business skills and the wider role of the modern bookkeeper. Alongside this, ICB is developing its AI Academy to help bookkeepers understand how to use AI confidently and responsibly, while recognising where human judgement and professional expertise remain essential.