KUALA LUMPUR, 5 October 2023 – The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a globally renowned professional organisation for chartered accountants, is delighted to announce Shenola Gonzales as the new Head of ICAEW Malaysia.
Taking over the leadership role from Loh Wei Yuen, who has made significant contributions during her 15-year tenure, in her new capacity, Gonzales will lead the ICAEW team in Malaysia, driving the organisation’s mission to support and expand its membership, nurture the student pipeline, and strengthen its presence within the country, aligning with ICAEW’s strategic objectives.
Gonzales brings a wealth of experience and expertise as the new Head of ICAEW Malaysia. She earned her degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 1998 and subsequently became a member of ICAEW after launching her career at Ernst & Young in the UK, achieving qualification in 2002.
With over two decades of experience in the financial industry, Ms. Gonzales has held pivotal roles in companies of diverse sectors and sizes, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to publicly listed corporations. Her versatile career has encompassed managerial finance, financial accounting and reporting, business consulting, business development, and mergers and acquisitions.
Gonzales returned to Malaysia in 2011 and embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, founding several successful businesses. She has also served as the Head of Investments at a prominent Alternative Investments Platform in South-East Asia, where she played a crucial role in assisting clients in achieving their fundraising objectives.
Most recently, Gonzales held the position of CEO at a subsidiary of one of Malaysia’s 10 potential unicorns, overseeing end-to-end solutions for SMEs embarking on fundraising journeys.
Her adaptability across diverse industries is her hallmark asset, and she attributes her versatility to the skills acquired through her ICAEW qualification, enabling her to excel in any professional environment. An unwavering dedication to simplifying complex financial concepts and her exceptional ability to cultivate meaningful relationships have been instrumental in her remarkable career journey.
“Within ICAEW, a fundamental pillar of our decade-long strategy centers on the education and development of future chartered accountants. This pillar is reinforced by their shared professional qualifications and standards, as well as the cohesive support provided by entities such as the ICAEW members’ society. By actively contributing their expertise across various realms including business, professional, and policymaking spheres, all while steadfastly upholding rigorous standards for the benefit of the public and holding our members accountable, we collectively enhance and expand the reputation and influence of ICAEW-chartered accountants,” reports Gonzales.
“Among the overarching themes championed by these three strategic foundations is the promotion of greater diversity and sustainability in the field of chartered accountancy. Encouragingly, we are witnessing tangible progress towards breaking the existing norms. Globally, we recently welcomed our fourth female ICAEW President and the first female chairperson of ICAEW Malaysia’s Members’ Society. In addition, in terms of sustainability within the industry, 97 of Malaysia’s top 100 companies include sustainability data in annual reports.”
With a commitment to excellence, Gonzales eagerly anticipates making significant contributions to the accounting profession, the broader industry, and the growth of ICAEW in Malaysia, “I am truly excited about the opportunity to build on our recent successes and further strengthen the ICAEW community in Malaysia,” said Gonzales. “With my background in various roles within the finance industry and beyond, I hope to challenge established beliefs to bring new perspectives to our students and members.”
Media Enquiries
- Amy Tee, ICAEW Singapore, on +65 6407 1527, or email amy.tee@icaew.com
- Michelle Bridget, Continuum PR, on +6012 697 7356, or email bridget@continuumpr.com
About ICAEW – The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Chartered accountants are talented, ethical and committed professionals. ICAEW represents more than 195,300 members and students around the world.
Founded in 1880, ICAEW has a long history of serving the public interest and we continue to work with governments, regulators and business leaders globally. And, as a world-leading improvement regulator, we supervise and monitor around 12,000 firms, holding them, and all ICAEW members and students, to the highest standards of professional competency and conduct.
We promote inclusivity, diversity and fairness and we give talented professionals the skills and values they need to build resilient businesses, economies and societies, while ensuring our planet’s resources are managed sustainably.
ICAEW is the first major professional body to be carbon neutral, demonstrating our commitment to tackle climate change and supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 13. ICAEW is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global family that connects over 1.8m chartered accountants and students in more than 190 countries. Together, we support, develop and promote the role of chartered accountants as trusted business leaders, difference makers and advisers.
We believe that chartered accountancy can be a force for positive change. By sharing our insight, expertise and understanding we can help to create sustainable economies and a better future for all.
www.charteredaccountantsworldwide.com/
www.globalaccountingalliance.com
