Ayla Majid has etched her name in history this week by becoming the first South Asian and Muslim to be elected as the president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Ayla, a proud representative of Pakistan on the global stage, is the founder and CEO of Planetive Middle East and Planetive Pakistan. With more than two decades of experience in energy, transaction advisory, mergers and acquisitions, investments, and corporate governance, Ayla’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the industry.
As the newly-elected president, Ayla will lead over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members of ACCA across 180 countries for the next year, as announced by the global accountancy body on LinkedIn. The ACCA celebrated the moment with a warm congratulations, saying: “Warm congratulations to Ayla Majid from Pakistan, elected as ACCA’s new president, who will lead our 252,500 members and 526,000 future members for the next year.”
Along with Ayla’s election, ACCA Pakistan also congratulated Melanie Proffitt from the UK, newly elected deputy president, and Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan from Malaysia, vice president. ACCA Pakistan proudly shared, “She is the first president of ACCA to come from Pakistan, and during her year in office, she will highlight the dynamic and evolving role of accountants as we celebrate 120 years of ACCA.”
Reflecting on her new role, Ayla expressed gratitude, stating, “I would like to thank ACCA members for putting their trust in me. The themes I wish to highlight in the months to come can be summarised under the broad heading: ‘A new future for accountancy with a strategic lens and a stakeholder approach.’”
The ACCA also expressed excitement for the initiatives Ayla has planned for her tenure as president, looking forward to the positive changes she will bring. Her leadership is seen as a beacon for the future of accountancy, embracing modern challenges and opportunities in a fast-evolving global landscape. Through her term, Ayla aims to continue the legacy of ACCA’s 120 years of fostering innovation, ethics, and professional excellence.
This historic achievement is not only a personal triumph for Ayla but also a moment of pride for Pakistan, showcasing the global recognition of Pakistani talent and leadership in the corporate world. Her election serves as an inspiration for future generations of young professionals, especially women, to break barriers and aspire for leadership roles in global organizations. Ayla’s journey highlights the growing influence of South Asians and Muslims in international business and governance, paving the way for greater diversity and inclusion in the world of accountancy.
