The Trustees of the IFRS Foundation have confirmed two major leadership changes, completing its planned succession process.
Sam Woods has been appointed chair of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for a five-year term, starting on 1 October 2026.
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He will succeed Andreas Barckow, whose term as IASB chair ended in June 2026.
Woods previously served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England and chief executive of the UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
In a parallel move, the Trustees of the IFRS Foundation have named Steven Maijoor as the next chair, with his term to begin on 1 January 2027.
As chair of the Trustees, Maijoor will lead an international group of 22 Trustees, described as senior professionals representing views from all regions of the world.
He will be supported by vice-chairs from the Americas and Asia.
Maijoor is a former chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority and is currently a member of the Executive Board and chair of Supervision at De Nederlandsche Bank.
Both Maijoor and Woods will work closely with International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) chair Emmanuel Faber and incoming managing director Laura Forzani, who will take up her post on 1 September 2026.
IFRS Foundation Trustees current chair Erkki Liikanen said: “I congratulate Steven and Sam on their appointments.
“Steven’s time as a Trustee and chair of the Due Process Oversight Committee will provide important continuity in Trustee leadership, whilst Sam’s senior experience and background in regulatory and treasury matters make him well placed to guide the IASB through the next stage of its evolution.
“I also thank Andreas for successfully implementing the IASB’s work plan during his term as IASB chair.”
