AAT Council and boards
Governance of AAT
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Its Board of Directors is known as the Council, and all members of Council (independent and elected members) are trustees and company directors of the Association.
The AAT Articles of Association (PDF) set out our charitable objectives which underpin our business model and strategy.
The Chief Executive together with the Executive team manages the day-to-day business of the Association.
AAT Council
Council has the overall responsibility for establishing and overseeing AAT’s strategic direction, which it delivers in accordance with AAT’s Articles of Association. It oversees a framework of delegation with clear levels of authority, which enables other matters to be dealt with by relevant supporting boards and panels and the Executive team. Council consists of up to 20 members, currently:
- two ex officio members (the President and Past President)
- eight elected members
- five independent members.
Council can also appoint a maximum of two co-opted members.
No distinction is made between independent, elected or co-opted members of the Council when carrying out their roles and responsibilities as trustees and directors of the Association.
Apply to become an independent member
If you're interested in becoming an independent member of Council or one of the supporting boards, find out what's involved and apply.
Kevin Bragg, President | MBA FCMA CGMA MCMI MAAT
- Strategic Change Director, ex officio member, joined 2015
- Boards/Panels: Nominations and Governance Board, Remuneration Board
Kevin has a career history of operating at board level in large PLCs and SMEs, including Alcatel-Lucent, Daily Mail and General Trust plc, ATS Euromaster, National Express plc, and Accenture, and chaired a Vistage CEO Group. He has worked overseas in Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Greece and the USA.
Chris Argent MAAT
- Founder and Managing Director: GENCFO, Elected member, joined 2022
- Boards/Panels: Remuneration Board
Chris started as an accountant and industry CFO before leading finance transformation programmes for John Lewis, Amazon and Vodafone, and now educates accounting and finance organisations on the digital shift through his Generation CFO community. He advocates for mid-tier CFOs and finance teams, and hosts the Digital Finance Function Awards.
Heather Durrell MAAT
- Finance Director, independent member, joined 2021
Heather set up Ask the BOSS in 2003, originally an FD consultancy that has grown into a full service accounting firm with the help of AAT. Her time is split between London and Italy and in addition to working and AAT she is treasurer for a local neighbourhood centre, the Dalgarno Trust.
Rita Patel FMAAT AATQB
- Accountant, elected member, joined 2020
Rita qualified as an accountant in 2003 while serving many years within the financial, banking and accounting sectors in the banking industry. She is a passionate and dedicated cultural advocate with a proven track record of maximising equality, inclusivity and diversity throughout organisation activities and motivational leadership.
AAT boards
The Audit and Risk Board reviews, on behalf of Council, matters concerning accounting, financial reporting and internal control and risk assessment relating to AAT and its subsidiaries.
The Nominations and Governance Board is responsible for the appointment processes for the Vice President, elected and independent members of Council, and supporting boards. It also advises Council on matters relating to the governance of the Association.
The Remuneration Board oversees the remuneration policy against which the Executive team and graded staff salaries are determined, and monitors the framework for the remuneration of staff.
The Awarding Organisation Compliance Board secures and maintains AAT's continuing recognition and compliance in relation to the regulatory requirements of UK and international qualifications regulators.
The Professional Regulation and Standards Compliance Board secures, maintains and develops AAT's high standards in relation to membership eligibility, professional conduct, ethics and disciplinary procedures.
AAT Members' Assembly
The Members' Assembly provides a voice for wider AAT membership, and feeds back to Council on policy issues and matters of wider concern affecting the membership as a whole.
You can learn what it involves and express interest in joining the Assembly.
