What economic volatility means for public financial management

Professor Laurence Ferry, Professor in Accounting, Durham University
Dr Laurence Ferry is an award-winning Professor in Accounting for Democracy at Durham University Business School (UK), established Author, Founding Director of the International Centre of Public Accountability (ICOPA) and a Member of the Senior Common Room at, Castle, University College. His research, impact, teaching and consulting covers accounting, auditing and accountability with a specific focus on the public sector where he is a very well recognized world-leading expert in public financial management.

Suren Thiru, Director, Economies, ICAEW
With over 20 years of experience specialising in macroeconomic and econometric analysis, Suren oversees ICAEW’s thought leadership and initiatives on the UK economy and is a regular media commentator. He supports delivery of ICAEW’s renowned Business Confidence Monitor and presents the latest economic trends at ICAEW events and for key stakeholders. Prior to joining ICAEW, he spent nine years heading the economics team at the British Chambers of Commerce.

Martin Wheatcroft, External Adviser to ICAEW on Public Finances, External Consultant
Martin Wheatcroft FCA is the managing director of Pendan Limited through which he is an external advisor on public finances to organisations including ICAEW. He is the author of the Simply UK Government Finances series of books, the ICAEW chart of the week and reports such as the ICAEW Fiscal Insight on the Budget 2025. Martin also leads on financial strategy, technology, data, and risk management for The Modern Professional Body Limited, a consultancy that provides strategic advice to professional bodies. His previous roles include senior vice-president finance for AVG Technologies NV, vice-president & controller for National Grid USA, chief accountant for National Grid plc, and director, assurance & advisory at Deloitte.

Henning Diederichs, Director of Public and Not for Profit Sectors, ICAEW (Chair)
Mr. Henning Diederichs FCA, Director of Public and Not for Profit Sectors at ICAEW, specialises in public sector financial and non-financial reporting. Henning has over eighteen years of technical accounting experience in both the public and private sectors having worked for Barclays Bank PLC and the Ministry of Finance prior to joining ICAEW in 2015. Since 2019 he has served as the Technical Advisor to the UK member of IPSASB (International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board) and in January 2025 he became an independent board member of FRAB (Financial Reporting Advisory Board), advising central government on reporting matters.