Woman president for Cima

THE Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (worldwide) has appointed its first woman president since its founding in 1919. Claire Ighodaro (pic) was elected at Cima's recent annual general meeting. 

Her achievement marks an important point in the history of Cima, which has 59,000 members and 77,000 students in 155 countries.  

Said Ighodaro, finance director of Broadband, British Telecommunications: “Cima's unique business perspective is pivotal to our continued success as the qualification of choice for accountants in business, across public and private sectors.  

“My career to date demonstrates the opportunities that membership of a chartered professional body brings. It is vital to have a professional badge, particularly in the post Enron accountancy world, where employers need to be reassured of the highest level of professional ethics and conduct that professional membership requires. 

“The Cima qualification brings an understanding of the relevance and meaning of numbers, ensuring that board directors, managers and shareholders understand the implication of decisions and the measures that really drive their business.” 

Claire Ighodaro has, as a UK trade ambassador, led successful overseas trade missions on behalf of the UK Department of Trade and Industry and the Telecoms Industry Association. She is also a board member of the London Employment Coalition, and has been a Cima council member since 1995.