Meet the Team
The people behind the Institute
The IAB is led by experienced finance professionals, educators and international specialists who share one goal: elevating the standards of business and finance. Meet the leadership, board and international team guiding the Institute and safeguarding the quality of everything we do.
Leadership
Executive leadership
The team responsible for the IAB's direction, standards and day-to-day leadership.
Sarah Palmer
Sarah Palmer is the Chief Executive Officer of the IAB. Appointed CEO in 2024, she is focused on raising professional standards and ensuring bookkeepers and finance professionals are recognised as essential, regulated contributors to the UK and global economy. She founded Women Who Count Ltd in 2009, building it into a renowned and successful bookkeeping practice, and joined the IAB Board in 2017.
Her influence extends globally, with professional networks across Australia, Canada, India and South East Asia, and she is a regular contributor to industry publications on the future of the profession.
Read Sarah's full story
Brady Last
Brady joined the IAB as Chief Operating Officer in 2024. A highly experienced business leader, she refocused her career on Research & Development tax relief in 2013 with the original Breakthrough Funding team, later becoming its Managing Director and overseeing its successful sale to EY in 2020, before leading EY Incentives Limited and the EY Breakthrough team in Kent.
She has developed and delivered externally verified, CPD-accredited training within the accounting industry, and holds a BA (Hons) in Business Administration and French from the University of Bradford.
Louise Stewart
Louise Stewart is an experienced communications professional at the public affairs and communications agency Cicero/AMO, which largely serves financial services clients. She was previously Director of Communications for the Federation of Small Businesses.
She spent almost twenty years in broadcasting as a political correspondent for BBC News on television and radio, and was recently named one of the most influential people in PR by PR Week's PowerBook.
Mike Donald
Mike has extensive experience of the UK education system, following a career in mainstream teaching with over twenty years as a headteacher. He now consults for higher and further education organisations internationally on the development of online learning content and quality assurance.
He joined the IAB in October 2023 as Chief Examiner, responsible for the design and regulatory compliance of the qualifications offered, with particular emphasis on assessment material in line with the requirements of Ofqual.
Honorary President
Our Honorary President
International Development
Our global team
The specialists extending the IAB's reach and standards across the world.
Dr Eric Li He
Dr Eric Li is a DBA graduate of Europort Business School in the Netherlands and Chairman of Beijing Zhongcaihe International Education Technology Group. He is Vice Chairman of the Accountant Branch of the China Association of Chief Financial Officers and a Director of the China Association of Professional Managers.
He serves as the IAB's China Chief Representative and Honorary Member, leading the Institute's development across East Asia.
Ranjit Srivenkatesh
Ranjit has been associated with the IAB as Regional Advisor for South Asia since 2006. A social entrepreneur and fifth-generation businessman, he has close to three decades of business experience and over 23 years in transnational education, having owned and managed businesses across the UK, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Middle East.
He joined the board of IAAP as a Director in 2022, and his company is currently the Chief Representative (South Asia) for Buckinghamshire New University.
Max Lee
Max joined the IAB Group in 2003 as representative, having previously worked in lecturing and accountancy practice. He has served as a freelance consultant and external advisor to UK and Australian professional organisations and universities, including the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment and several UK universities.
He now concentrates on expanding the IAB Group's presence across the Asia Pacific and China, and was recognised by the IAB Group in 2023 for his commitment to promoting the organisation throughout the region.
Our International Advisory Board brings further global expertise — meet them on the Partnerships & Global Reach page.
Join a community that puts its members first
Become part of a global institute led by professionals who champion your profession and stand behind your standards.
