AAT announces new chief executive

AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) has announced today that Sarah Beale has been appointed as its new chief executive, replacing Mark Farrar. Sarah will begin her tenure as AAT chief executive on 1 November 2021.

Sarah began her career as an AAT accounting technician before achieving chartered status with ACCA. In 2005 she joined the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and has progressed through roles including head of customer services, chief financial officer and corporate performance director. She has been chief executive of the CITB since 2017.

In 2019 Sarah was awarded, by the University of Wales, an honorary fellowship for services to diversity, inclusion and innovation in the training sector. More recently she became a member of the Green Jobs Taskforce – which forms part of the government’s plan to build back greener and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

AAT president, David Frederick, said: “We are delighted to announce Sarah’s appointment as AAT’s new chief executive. She has led the CITB in a complex commercial and political environment and her wide range of skills and experience will be invaluable to AAT as we move to the next phase of the organisation’s journey. We look forward to welcoming Sarah when she formally joins AAT later in the year.

“I would also like to take this opportunity once again to thank Mark Farrar for his hugely valuable contribution during his time in post. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Mark and AAT has moved forward significantly under his leadership.”

Mark’s last day in post will be 1 July 2021.