Shirley Fok graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She possesses over 10 years of experience in annual audits, merger & acquisitions, cross-border fund raising transactions of listed companies in Hong Kong and the US. Shirley has extensive and diversified experience in various industries, including infrastructures, property investment and development, natural resources, public utilities, entertainment, agriculture and financial services. She has been involved in serving multinational clients with operations in Europe, America and Asia.

Alva Yip joined EY in Hong Kong in 2001 and has over 12 years of experience in the US Capital Markets Group. A Certified Public Accountant in the US, Alva’s major roles include providing technical consultation on accounting in US GAAP and IFRS, and on regulatory matters regarding initial public offerings and periodic reporting requirements for public companies in the US. Alva specializes in life sciences, technology, media and telecommunication (TMT), and airline industries.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has appointed Andrew Harding FCMA, CGMA as chief executive.

Andrew joined CIMA in 2009 as executive director, becoming managing director two years later. His appointment comes shortly after CIMA’s members voted to join forces with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and create a new Association representing the breadth of the accounting profession. When it launches in 2017 Andrew will become chief executive of its management accounting unit and will be responsible for driving the impact of management accounting across the world.

Andrew said: “It’s a huge privilege to be appointed chief executive as we enter this new chapter in CIMA’s history. To be combining the power of management accounting and public accounting for the first time through the power of the Association is so exciting.

"My personal focus and commitment will be to create value for our members. The Association will unlock opportunities to keep CGMAs ahead of the game; keeping them plugged in to the knowledge, resources and skills that help them to succeed.

"The opportunity presented by the U.S. market is huge and will be a prime focus of the management accounting unit as we position management accounting as a top career choice for graduates in the world’s largest economy."

CIMA President, Andrew Miskin FCMA, CGMA said of the appointment:
"I am personally thrilled that Andrew will be the executive leading CIMA and the management accounting unit of our new Association. It is an exciting time both in terms of CIMA's own evolution and the evolution of the profession.

"The role of management accountants is shifting from the reporting of financial and operational performance. Today, it is about communicating decision-relevant information and providing management with a forecast of potential outcomes. Through Andrew’s leadership, our members will continue to enjoy the benefits of being part of the leading player in the management accounting profession."

Andrew succeeds the previous chief executive, Charles Tilley OBE, FCMA, CGMA. Charles stepped down on July 31 after fifteen years at the helm of CIMA, and will now focus on running the newly-created CGMA Research Foundation.

Barry Melancon CPA, CGMA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AICPA, who will lead the Association, said: "Andrew is exceptionally qualified to lead CIMA and to further advance the quality of management accounting around the world. We have worked closely together in recent years to drive innovation and increased value for our members and business in general. He is a change agent who understands the many ways our complex and interconnected economic environment is changing, and how management accountants can be positive influencers in creating agile, sustainable businesses."