Andys life for the past 40 years has been professional advisory firms. He invests and advises mainly through Stelaris Group, a business he co-founded with other likeminded individuals. His experience comes from working with a top 4 firm in the UK and Far East, from working with a top 20 firm of accountants for 30 years (16 of those as Group Managing Partner), creating a top 30 firm (launched during covid), and working with regional boutique firms throughout the UK. He has been actively involved in 5 different international networks. His belief that by combining energized local leadership with his experience, people will achieve more!

Joe Pickard is group editor of International Accounting Bulletin and The Accountant magazine. He is also the direct editor of The Accountant. For the past seven years he has worked across the accountancy titles, Joe has engaged with all levels of the accountancy profession, from graduates to c-suite. He has worked with a wide range of professional bodies around the globe to further understand regional nuances within the profession and boost the profile of accountancy around the world.

Kevin has led a distinguished lifetime career of leadership – first in the British Army and more recently with international accounting alliances. Leading large diverse organisations, he has demonstrated exceptional ability to address challenges, implement strategy, manage change, and operate effectively in multi-cultural environments.

Nexia International

Kevin served as CEO of Nexia International for 12 years continuously providing enhanced services to members, building service line business groups, and significantly expanding the international office team to deliver additional business development opportunities together with the sharing of knowledge, best practice, and expertise. His achievements cumulated with the International Accounting Bulletin award – 2021 Network of the Year.

DFK International

Before being head-hunted to join Nexia, Kevin’s initial experience of the international accounting alliances was with DFK International – ranked 7th in the rankings of global associations with fee revenues of US$1.5m. It was during his 2 years with DFK that Kevin recognised that the leadership skills he had acquired in the army were easily transferable to the professional accounting world.

British Army

Kevin served in the Army for over 40 years in a wide range of roles around the world gaining a deep and hands-on understanding and experience of leadership and winning strategies achieving the rank of Colonel. The undoubted highlight of his military career being the command of a Parachute Artillery Regiment of 900 soldiers.

Zoya Malik is Editor-Chief, Financial Services Practice at GlobalData and also serves as the Editor of International Accounting Bulletin, a leading publication within the accounting profession. Zoya has thirty-eight years of strong editorial and team management experience across the United Kingdom and Middle East, within digital and print media.

Her role extends over content strategy and marketing, cross-segment research, magazine launch and editing, set-up of editorial boards, client engagement, brand-building, and hosting events.

Zoya has pioneered and launched B2B, B2C business and lifestyle magazines and has content managed across accounting, banking & finance, insurance, leasing, fintech, cards & payments, renewable energy, marketing, food retail, luxury, fashion, SME, aviation, travel & tourism, healthcare, education, motor finance and arts sectors. Zoya has been involved with delivering DAF and IAFA conference and awards for over 6 years and has also worked as a Judge in 2024 and 2025.