Ayla Majid Makes History as First Pakistani President of ACCA, Leading the Way on Its 120th Anniversary
In a landmark achievement, Ayla Majid, a trailblazer in sustainability and energy transition, has been elected as the president of the globally renowned Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). She is the first Pakistani to hold this prestigious position in ACCA’s 120-year history, symbolizing a new era for the accountancy profession.
Ayla will oversee the 252,500 members and 526,000 aspiring professionals of ACCA across 180 countries during her term, a momentous year when ACCA celebrates its milestone of surpassing a quarter-million members while marking 120 years of excellence.
A Journey of Expertise and Leadership
Joining ACCA in 2006, Ayla Majid’s career spans two decades of expertise in energy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and sustainability. She is the founder and CEO of Planetive Middle East and Planetive Pakistan, organizations dedicated to promoting decarbonization and sustainable development.
Ayla is also a renowned international speaker, addressing topics like energy transitions, hydrogen innovation, and climate tech with a focus on emerging markets. With over 15 years of governance experience, she has served on boards across the energy, pharmaceutical, engineering, and banking sectors, earning accolades for her forward-thinking leadership.
A Vision for the Future of Accountancy
Reflecting on her election, Ayla said:
“I am truly humbled and grateful for the confidence ACCA members have shown in me. My vision is to champion a ‘new future for accountancy’ that combines strategic foresight with a focus on stakeholder engagement. The profession is dynamic and rapidly evolving, and I aim to highlight its exciting and purposeful aspects, especially in this era of technological transformation and sustainability.”
Ayla emphasized the importance of ethical values in accountancy, noting:
“When ACCA was established in 1904, it was beyond imagination how far we would ascend and the milestones we would achieve. Our growth story is one of innovation, and I’m proud to lead an organization that embeds ethical practices across both the profession and the global business community.”
Global Leadership and Milestone Achievements
This historic moment is further marked by the fact that, for the first time in ACCA’s history, all three top officer roles are held by women. Ayla is joined by Melanie Proffitt (Deputy President, UK) and Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan (Vice President, Malaysia), representing a bold step toward gender diversity in global leadership.
