Diversity and inclusion tops agenda for first woman from China to head global accountants’ body

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) has elected the first-ever female member from China to serve as its President.

Jenny Gu will head the organisation, which has more than 219,000 members and 527,000 students across 179 countries, after ACCA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in London confirmed her appointment on the 21 November 2019.

Ms Gu said: ‘This is such an honour, and it is humbling to earn the support of so many colleagues.

‘I am looking forward immensely to serving as President of this wonderful organisation, which does such an incredible job in training skilled and dedicated financial professionals across the world.

‘I aim to make diversity and inclusion the main theme of my year in office. ACCA has a proud record of creating opportunity in our profession, and I am passionate about encouraging diversity, including ensuring that women have the chance to contribute at the highest levels of business and government.’

Ms Gu was born and raised in Shanghai. She studied eastern and western philosophy at Fudan University, Shanghai, obtaining Master and Bachelor degrees. Ms Gu also obtained an MBA from Kellogg & HKUST (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology). She qualified as an ACCA member in 1998 and has served on its global Council since 2009.

Ms Gu is chief executive officer (CEO) at Richemont China, which owns many of the world’s leading luxury and fashion brands including Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, dunhill and Chloé.

Prior to Richemont, Ms Gu gained 25 years’ experience in management consultancy, working in multinational companies and private equity firms including Nike and TPG Capital.

Ms Gu will serve a year in office, succeeding ACCA’s outgoing President, Robert Stenhouse.
Also elected to serve with Ms Gu were the new deputy president, Mark Millar from the UK, and incoming vice president, Orla Collins from the Republic of Ireland.

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About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 219,000 members and 527,000 students (including affiliates) in 179 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 110 offices and centres and 7,571 Approved Employers worldwide, and 328 approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development.

Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA has introduced major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com