Paul Gough, MD and founder of Intouch Accounting has been appointed Chairman. Paul has played an active role in our work since 2014 and takes over from David Mount who held the post for the last 18 months.
Paul will support Julia Kermode as CEO and the FCSA team in continuing its work to support and represent the UK’s flexible workforce and help FCSA in its mission to drive up standards.
Along with his role as Chairman, Paul is MD and founder of In Touch Accounting and his career as an accountant spans nearly 30 years. On becoming FCSA’s new Chairman, Paul Gough said: “FCSA has come a long way since it was set up in 2008 and is going from strength to strength. I am delighted to be taking up the responsibility of supporting Julia and FCSA in our mission to drive up standards in an industry that is working hard to support the UK’s freelancers and contractors. The last couple of years have been challenging ones for our sector as the government has continued to seek to target the UK’s contingent labour market and impose legislation like the IR35 reforms in the public sector that has undoubtedly been damaging for all parties. I am looking forward to working with our members to get their voices heard by policymakers and steer them away from imposing more rules and regulations that will hamper the UK’s flexible workforce that is propping up the UK economy. Our industry has come a long way but there is still a lot to do in our efforts to drive up standards, stamp out unethical behaviour and promote best practice.
“I would also like to thank David Mount for all his work as chairman and I look forward to continuing his good work.”
Chris James also joins the FCSA board. Chris is Head of Accounting Operations for JSA Services. On becoming a board member, Chris said: “The FCSA is an important organisation and one that provides extremely valuable support for professional employment services in the UK, particularly in terms of encouraging compliance and credibility. I am delighted to be joining the board and helping them to shape a good working landscape in which freelancers and contractors can thrive.”
Julia Kermode, CEO of FCSA added: “It has been a pleasure working with David Mount and I am now looking forward to working with Paul as our new Chairman as well as with Chris James who strengthens our board as we continue to make our mark as the UK’s leading independent trade association for our sector.”
