ICAEW enhances its presence in the Middle East

She will be responsible for building the ICAEW's presence and profile in the region.

Her appointment is a key step in the ICAEW's strategy to become a global organisation, headquartered in the UK. By increasing its physical presence in key financial markets across the world, it will to offer better support to members and increase the availability of training outside of the UK.

The ICAEW launched its internationally renowned chartered accountancy qualification, the ACA, in the Gulf in 2007. Earlier this year, another high-profile ICAEW qualification, the Certificate of Finance, Accounting and Business, was launched in the region, with tuition and exams being available in the UAE and Bahrain.

There are currently 800 ICAEW members with the ACA qualification in the Middle East in addition to approximately 175 students. Around 650 of the ICAEW members are in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), of which 420 are based in the UAE.

Commenting on her appointment, Amanda Line said:

"I'm very excited to become the ICAEW's first regional director in the Middle East and to be tasked with the challenging job of increasing the ICAEW's presence in the region. I look forward to working closely with current and future ICAEW members in the region as well as with other local stakeholders and the profession in the Middle East."

"These are times characterised by great challenges both for Middle Eastern markets and the global economy as a whole. Confidence levels in the region are on the rise and our aim is to work with members and stakeholders in the region to ensure the highest possible professional standards to produce transparent financial reporting systems. In order to support this drive, rigorous professional qualifications, and the means for accounting professionals to stay technically up-to-date, should be supported and encouraged."

Line is the second regional director to be appointed by the ICAEW outside of the UK, following on from the appointment of a regional director in Singapore to cover South East Asia earlier this year.

Michael Izza, ICAEW chief executive, said:

"The Middle East has seen some of its markets grow with rapidly over the last decade. Despite the noticeable impact of the downturn on several of the Middle Eastern countries, they have become important markets on a global scale. That, coupled with the relatively high concentration of ICAEW members in the region, makes it an obvious place for us to establish our second regional office outside of the UK.

"Amanda's extensive international business experience, combined with her chartered accountant qualification and background in financial training, are exactly the skills and qualities we need as the ICAEW's Middle East regional director. We welcome her onboard and look forward to working with her on increasing the ICAEW's presence and influence in the Middle East."

Line has spent the last 15 years living and working in Asia and the Middle East and has extensive experience in financial training. As a passionate believer in the value of professional accountancy qualifications, Line founded the largest provider of professional financial training in Singapore. Working together with UK and US-based training companies, she expanded the business across Asia. Since moving to the UAE, Line has provided consultancy for educational businesses in addition to setting up and running several companies. She trained and qualified as a chartered accountant (ACA) with BDO Stoy Hayward in London and has been a member of the ICAEW since 1990.