Berry Wammes Named Chair of IFAC PAO Development Advisory Group
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) has named Berry Wammes Chair of its Professional Accountancy Organization (PAO) Development Advisory Group, succeeding outgoing chair Jelena Misita. Wammes was nominated by IFAC member the Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants (NBA) and appointed by the IFAC Board as recommended by the IFAC Nominating Committee.
The PAO Development Advisory Group is comprised of experts with decades of experience working with and for PAOs and developing their capacity. Its members serve as important strategic advisors and contributors, helping IFAC develop strong, sustainable PAOs around the world through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and resource development.
Other advisory groups to IFAC include the International Panel on Accountancy Education, chaired by Sinéad Donovan; the Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group, chaired by Josephine Okui Ossiya; and the Small and Medium Practices Advisory Group, chaired by Helene Agélii.
Jean Bouquot, IFAC President, said: “The PAO Development Advisory Group helps us understand the opportunities and challenges facing PAOs in very different environments and strengthens our ability to respond to what our members need. Bold and effective leadership will be essential for the group's continued success. I am delighted to welcome Berry, with his extensive experience leading a PAO, building partnerships, and driving organizational change. I look forward to what the group will achieve with his leadership in the years to come.”
Jelena Misita said: “Berry brings extensive experience in PAO leadership and a strong commitment to collaboration and organizational development. I have seen firsthand the value of that collaborative spirit through my work with PAO Development Advisory Group, and it has been a privilege to work alongside colleagues across the profession who are deeply committed to advancing PAOs around the world. I am delighted to see Berry appointed as the group’s chair and confident that, under his leadership, the advisory group will continue to support PAOs in building their capacity and enhancing the value they create for their members and the communities they serve.”
Berry Wammes said: “For PAOs, the ability to learn quickly and proactively collaborate with stakeholders is key in today’s environment. The PAO Development Advisory Group brings together leaders with deep experience of the opportunities and challenges PAOs face in their own jurisdictions. I look forward to learning from their perspectives and experience, while helping create more opportunities for PAOs to learn from one another. Working together, we can turn that shared knowledge into practical support that reflects local contexts and strengthens the profession globally.”
Wammes’ three-year term as chair begins January 1, 2027.
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