CPA Australia welcomes new members to its latest board

CPA Australia has revealed its new board effective 1 October 2026, appointing new president and board chair Warren McRae (pictured) in place of professor Dale Pinto.

The outgoing president completes his three terms and continues on the board as director until the end of his maximum nine-year term on 30 September 2027.

The accounting body has also re-appointed deputy president, Louise Cox, for the past three years and board director since 2024, Julie Crisp, as deputy presidents for a 12-month term each from 1 October 2026.

“I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to engaging with members over the coming year,” McRae said.

“I congratulate Louise Cox FCPA and Julie Crisp FCPA on their election as deputy presidents for the coming year, and I thank our immediate past president, professor Dale Pinto FCPA, for his strong leadership over the past three years. I am also pleased that Dale will continue to serve on the Board for another year.”

Further, the body’s appointments council welcomed new directors, professor Mark Brimble and Erica Haddon, while Sarah Adam-Gedge and Anthony Wright were reappointed to the board as non-member directors in line with the accounting body’s constitution.

“I also warmly congratulate Anthony Wright and Sarah Adam-Gedge on their reappointment for a further three-year term, and welcome professor Mark Brimble and Erica Haddon to the Board as directors. Each brings a unique and diverse skill set that will strengthen our organisation,” McRae said.

“Anna Quinn FCPA and Kaushika Jayalath CPA retired from the Board on 30 September 2026 following the completion of their three-year terms. Anna and Kaushika have made significant contributions to the Board and its committees during their terms, and I extend my sincere thanks for their service, dedication and commitment on behalf of CPA Australia members.

McRae is an experienced non-executive director and former executive with more than 30 years of international leadership experience, with expertise spanning financial governance, enterprise risk, cyber security, financial crime, organisational transformation and board assurance.

With a strong focus on sustainable organisational performance delivery through disciplined governance, strategic change, innovation and operational excellence, McRae was previously deputy president and chair of the accounting body’s audit, risk and compliance committee for the past four years.

Effective 1 October 2026, the 10 members of the board are President and Chair Warren McRae FCPA, deputy president Louise Cox FCPA, deputy president Julie Crisp FCPA, and directors Sarah Adam-Gedge, Professor Mark Brimble FCPA, Bernard Che-Wai Poon FCPA, Erica Haddon FCPA, Professor Dale Pinto FCPA, Carmen Wee, and Anthony Wright.

“It is a tremendous honour to be elected president and chair of CPA Australia and to serve our community of more than 176,000 members around the world,” said McRae.

“I look forward to continuing to work with them and our fellow directors as we strive to deliver even greater value for CPA Australia members and strengthen our global community of finance and accounting professionals.”