Ayla Majid has made history by becoming the first Pakistani and South Asian to be elected as the president of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a leading global accountancy body. Majid’s appointment marks a significant milestone for diversity and representation in the accounting profession.
Leading a Global Network
As president, Ayla Majid will lead over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members of ACCA across 180 countries during her year-long term. This achievement comes as ACCA celebrates its 120th anniversary and surpasses the milestone of a quarter-million members globally.
Reflecting on her new role, Majid shared her vision:
“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.”
An Esteemed Career in Energy and Governance
Currently the founder and CEO of Planetive Middle East and Planetive Pakistan, Ayla Majid has over 20 years of experience in energy transition, sustainability, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Her contributions extend to chairing boards in diverse sectors, including energy, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and banking.
An advocate for sustainability, Majid is also an international speaker on energy, decarbonization, hydrogen, and climate technology, with a particular focus on emerging markets.
A Historic Moment for Women in Leadership
In a groundbreaking moment for ACCA, this is the first time in its history that all three officer positions are held by women. Majid is joined by deputy president Melanie Proffitt from England and vice-president Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan from Malaysia.
Majid praised her predecessor, Ronnie Patton, for his inspirational leadership, emphasizing her commitment to building on his legacy while driving innovation and ethical practice in the profession.
A Vision for the Future of Accountancy
Majid’s leadership focuses on redefining the role of accountants in a tech-driven world. She aims to expand perceptions of the profession, highlighting its role in promoting sustainability and social value.
“Our story has been one of innovation and growth. I’m proud of how we lead in embedding ethical practices in the profession and the wider business community.”
Credentials and Global Recognition
In addition to her ACCA qualification, Ayla Majid holds an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), an LLB (Hons) from the University of London, and has attended leadership programs at Harvard, Oxford, and Princeton. She is also a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and a member of the WEF’s Global Future Council on Energy.
Ayla Majid’s presidency represents a pivotal step toward greater diversity and innovation in the accounting profession, further solidifying ACCA’s role as a global leader in ethical and sustainable business practices.
About the Author
Indian American Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD FACEP, is the founder of Arlington Integrative Medical Center and a distinguished leader in the field, holding board certifications in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She is the U.S. Bureau Chief for The Desi Buzz, GCCStartup.News, and Startup Berita, where she contributes her insights on healthcare and innovation. As a committed member of the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Parvez is also pursuing a Diploma in Naturopathic Medicine from the College of Medicine and Healing Arts in Leicester, UK. Certified in contemporary cupping skills, Hijama therapy, and leech therapy, she combines traditional healing techniques with modern medicine. Dr. Parvez is fluent in Spanish, French, Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic, enabling her to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. A passionate foodie, she enjoys creating recipes, experimenting with recipe hacks, and finding ways to make meals healthier and more delicious.
