Ayla Majid, a distinguished Pakistani professional, has etched her name in history as the first South Asian and Muslim to be elected president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This global accountancy body, with over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members across 180 countries, selected Majid for the prestigious role, marking a proud moment for Pakistan and South Asia.
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Majid’s presidency coincides with the ACCA’s 120th anniversary and the milestone of surpassing a quarter-million members globally. This appointment also marks a significant achievement for gender diversity, as all three officer positions—President, Deputy President, and Vice President—are now held by women for the first time in ACCA’s history.
Trailblazer in Energy
Majid is the founder and CEO of Planetive Middle East and Planetive Pakistan, organizations focused on sustainability, decarbonization, and energy transition in emerging markets. With over two decades of experience in energy, transaction advisory, corporate governance, mergers, and acquisitions, she has built a career centered on driving innovative solutions in the global energy landscape.
She has also served in various leadership roles, including chairing boards in the energy, pharmaceutical, engineering, and banking sectors. Her advocacy for hydrogen and climate tech has made her a prominent international speaker on decarbonization and sustainability.
Advocate for the Future of Accountancy
Majid’s presidency aims to redefine the accounting profession in an era dominated by digital transformation and sustainability challenges. Speaking about her vision, she said, “The accountancy profession is dynamic, forward-looking, and endlessly evolving. We’re working to promote it as an exciting, purposeful, and attractive career choice, embracing sustainability and social value.”
During her year-long term, Majid plans to focus on enhancing ACCA’s qualifications to include sustainability reporting, digital transformation, and strategic leadership skills. She emphasized that accountants must play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and economic inequality.
Global Recognition and Academic Excellence
Majid is no stranger to global accolades. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Future Council on Energy Transition and was named a Young Global Leader in 2015. An Eisenhower Fellow, she has represented Pakistan at international forums, including Gastech and the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she moderated high-level discussions on global risks.
Her academic credentials further highlight her illustrious career. She holds an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London. Additionally, she has completed leadership programs at Harvard, Oxford, and Princeton universities.
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Majid has pledged to use her presidency to advocate for global collaboration and champion inclusion. “Breaking these barriers reflects the values of inclusion and diversity that ACCA embodies,” she said. Her leadership will also highlight the evolving role of accountants in driving societal change through innovation and sustainability.