Will Brooks, a corporate strategy expert and a Lancaster University Management School graduate (Economics and Financial Control, 1977), has been elected Vice-President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) – a world-leading organisation that develops and supports chartered accountants across the globe, and one of the world’s top accountancy bodies.

He takes up the role today (June 5), before becoming Deputy President in 2020, and ICAEW President in June 2021.

After graduating from Lancaster, Will completed his training with Dearden Farrow in London in 1980. He then joined Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG), where he stayed for five years, specialising in banking and securities industry work.

He has made his career in the City of London, where he rose to become Director and Chief Financial Officer of a clearing member of the London Stock Exchange. Will established his consulting firm in the City in 1991, providing business planning and, from 1994, corporate finance advisory and fund management services under FSA regulation.

He now specialises in corporate strategy and company direction. He has served as a non-executive director of certain client companies and other firms for more than 25 years. At Lancaster, he is a member of LUMS Dean’s Council.

Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “Since graduating, Will has retained his close links with LUMS and continues to offer his strategic guidance by serving on our Dean’s Council.

“This prestigious position has international influence, and I have offered Will my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the LUMS community. It is fantastic to see another example of the world-class education and experience LUMS offers help to shape such a successful and meaningful career.”

Will said: “My time as an undergraduate at Lancaster is the bedrock upon which I have built my career and I remain very proud of my association with the University.

“ICAEW is facing three key challenges: trust in the profession, digital changes and global development. We are more than capable of addressing these, but successful outcomes will take effort and time. I look forward to contributing further to our endeavours in these areas and to promoting ICAEW’s work in the public interest. ”