The Trustees of the IFRS Foundation, the oversight body of the International Accounting Standards Board, have appointed Lee White as the IFRS Foundation’s Executive Director, in charge of the organisation’s day-to-day operations.
His appointment follows the departure of Yael Almog, who returned to Israel after more than five years as Executive Director, in 2017.
Mr White has over 30 years’ experience from the private sector and public authorities in Australia. Most recently, he was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), where he played a central role in bringing together the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants to form CAANZ in 2014.
From 2004 to 2009, he worked as Chief Accountant at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where he provided oversight and supported Australian companies in their transition to IFRS Standards. He was also a member of the Australian Financial Reporting Council and the Australian member of both the International Organization of Securities Commissions and the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators.
Prior to joining ASIC, he served as Assistant Auditor-General at the Audit Office of New South Wales from 1994 to 2004 and as an Audit Principal with PwC (then Coopers & Lybrand) from 1984 to 1994. Mr White has a Bachelor’s degree from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He has been a Fellow of ICAA since 1998.
Michel Prada, Chair of the Trustees, said:
His appointment follows the departure of Yael Almog, who returned to Israel after more than five years as Executive Director, in 2017.
Mr White has over 30 years’ experience from the private sector and public authorities in Australia. Most recently, he was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), where he played a central role in bringing together the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA) and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants to form CAANZ in 2014.
From 2004 to 2009, he worked as Chief Accountant at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where he provided oversight and supported Australian companies in their transition to IFRS Standards. He was also a member of the Australian Financial Reporting Council and the Australian member of both the International Organization of Securities Commissions and the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators.
Prior to joining ASIC, he served as Assistant Auditor-General at the Audit Office of New South Wales from 1994 to 2004 and as an Audit Principal with PwC (then Coopers & Lybrand) from 1984 to 1994. Mr White has a Bachelor’s degree from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. He has been a Fellow of ICAA since 1998.
Michel Prada, Chair of the Trustees, said:
Hans Hoogervorst, Chair of the International Accounting Standards Board, said:Lee’s wealth of leadership experience, varied practical background and wide contact network make him the ideal candidate to lead the IFRS Foundation’s operations and support the Trustees in their work.
Lee White said:Lee will be a great asset to the IFRS Foundation. I look forward to welcoming him on-board.
Mr White is expected to start in his new post in April.I am thrilled to have the privilege to be the Executive Director of the IFRS Foundation, a unique organisation with a global reach. I look forward to contributing to the sustained success of the IFRS Foundation and to continue serving my profession and the global business community.
