The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has appointed Helen Poole as its new chair of the Audit Registration Committee (ARC).

Poole, who has been a lay member of the ARC since 2022, will begin her tenure in October this year.

ARC is integral to ICAEW’s regulatory structure, tasked with overseeing audit registration decisions and ensuring compliance with the high standards required of ICAEW registered auditors.

Poole succeeds Rama Krishnan, who has chaired the committee since July 2019 and has now completed her term.

Her professional journey commenced in the rail industry as a graduate trainee, followed by a two-decade career in the NHS, where she currently leads a primary care network.

Poole has also held positions with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the General Dental Council, in addition to serving as a trustee for a national charity.

Poole said: “I’m delighted to become the next chair of the Audit Registration Committee and am excited to take up the role.

“Throughout my career I’ve been committed to professional regulation and good governance as effective mechanisms to uphold public standards and protect the public interest, and I look forward to working with colleagues to maintain the standards that underpin public trust in audit.”

The Regulatory and Conduct Appointments Committee (RACAC) appointed Poole following a detailed and independent selection process, utilising powers delegated by the ICAEW Regulatory Board (IRB).

RACAC operates independently of the IRB while reporting on its activities.

RACAC chair Brownwen Curtis said: “On behalf of RACAC, I congratulate Helen on her appointment as chair of the Audit Registration Committee. She brings extensive experience in professional regulation and I look forward to working with her.

“I’d also like to extend my thanks to Rama Krishnan, the outgoing chair, for her leadership of the Audit Registration Committee and commitment to ICAEW.”