New chairman of accountants’ board

THE Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board has announced that Chris Gibson is to become chairman of the board from July 1.

Mr Gibson succeeds Mr Liam O’Reilly, a former head of Ireland’s financial services regulatory authority.

Chris Gibson is a former chairman and managing director of ICI in Ireland, was the first commercial director of Irish Fertiliser Industries Limited and was managing director (UK) of Golden Vale.

He is a past chairman of the CBI in Northern Ireland and has just completed a nine-year term as pro chancellor of Queens University Belfast.

Mr Gibson said: “Enormous credit is due to my predecessor Liam O’Reilly who has led the board from its inception to today. Undoubtedly in a world of financial turmoil, the public have a right to demand the highest standards in processes carried out for both their and the professions protection.

“The work of the board and its committees will be subject to close scrutiny in coming months. That is as it should be.

“Our role is to enhance confidence in Chartered Accountancy and Chartered Accountants by administering a rigorous but fair regulatory system consistent with our public interest mandate.”