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Webinar | ACCA

Dialogue with ISSB Member and Oxford Professor Richard Barker: The New Role of Finance Leaders

ACCA is delighted to welcome Professor Richard Barker, ISSB member, Oxford professor and globally recognised accounting scholar, for this executive dialogue.

He will be joined by Stephen Shields, Director of Partnerships and Recognition, ACCA, for an in-depth discussion on From Compliance to Value: ISSB Standards and the Finance Leader’s New Role.

Together, they will explore the future direction of the ISSB Standards and the implications for the evolving responsibilities, professional capabilities and strategic contribution of finance leaders. 

Overview

Buildings

As global regulatory requirements for sustainability-related disclosure continue to advance, organisations are facing higher expectations in disclosure, governance and capability building. In June 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its first two Standards, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, establishing a global baseline of investor-focused sustainability-related financial disclosures that is consistent and comparable across capital markets. Since then, a growing number of jurisdictions have moved to adopt or implement the ISSB Standards, accelerating the shift of sustainability-related disclosure from a voluntary practice to a mandatory requirement.

In China, the development of the sustainability disclosure regime is also gathering pace. In 2024, China’s Ministry of Finance issued the Basic Standard for Sustainability Disclosure by Enterprises (Trial), followed in 2025 by Corporate Sustainability Disclosure Standard No. 1 - Climate (Trial). At the same time, Hong Kong has set out a clear regulatory roadmap and issued local standards fully aligned with IFRS S1 and IFRS S2. Against this backdrop, organisations and finance professionals alike need to build an earlier and deeper understanding of the Standards, keep abreast of regulatory direction, and strengthen their capability to respond to future disclosure and governance requirements.

For finance professionals, this is not only about new disclosure requirements and compliance obligations. It is also reshaping the boundaries and positioning of the finance function. Finance leaders are moving beyond their traditional role as compliance stewards to become key enablers connecting strategy, governance, performance and long-term value creation.

On 24 April, ACCA is delighted to welcome Professor Richard Barker, ISSB member, Oxford professor and globally recognised accounting scholar, for this executive dialogue. He will be joined by Stephen Shields, Director of Partnerships and Recognition, ACCA, for an in-depth discussion on From Compliance to Value: ISSB Standards and the Finance Leader’s New Role. Together, they will explore the future direction of the ISSB Standards and the implications for the evolving responsibilities, professional capabilities and strategic contribution of finance leaders.

This event is open to ACCA affiliates, members and fellows. Finance and accounting professionals with an interest in sustainability, corporate reporting, finance transformation and professional development are also warmly welcome to join. 

1.  Opening and speaker introduction

2.  Keynote session: From Compliance to Value: ISSB Standards and the Finance Leader’s New Role

Speaker: Richard Barker, Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

3.  Executive dialogue and Q&A

Speakers:

Richard Barker, Member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

Stephen Shields, Director of Partnerships and Recognition, ACCA

4. Closing remarks

Richard Barker

Member, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

Richard Barker was appointed as a full-time member of the ISSB in June 2022, effective 8 July 2022. Before joining the ISSB, he served as deputy dean and professor of accounting at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, UK. In this capacity, he led Oxford Saïd’s sustainable business initiatives.

He has published a wide range of academic research papers on accounting and sustainability disclosures. He has chaired the expert panel of Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) and served as a member of several committees and bodies focused on corporate reporting in the UK and Europe, including the UK Corporate Reporting Council, the Financial Reporting Advisory Board and the European Accounting Association’s Accounting Standards Committee.

Professor Barker served as a research fellow at the International Accounting Standards Board from 2001 to 2007. He has a Bachelor’s degree in history and economics from the University of Oxford and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK.

 

Stephen Shields

Director of Partnerships and Recognition, ACCA

Stephen Shields is the Director of Partnerships and Recognition for the ACCA, based in Kuala Lumpur. Stephen leads on ACCA’s strategic partnerships with global employers, sectors, government and national bodies, as well as its approach to recognition risks and opportunities and project consultancy initiatives. He also co-ordinates ACCA’s relationships with leading organisations including the International Federation of Accountants, the World Bank, the Department for International Development and the United Nations.

He has worked with the Association for over 22 years, based for the majority of that time in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining ACCA in January 2004, Stephen was Regional Branch Manager of Zurich Financial Services Group, where he led the organisation for the Middle East region and held responsibility for the overall operation and profitability of the branch.

Educated in his native Australia, followed by the IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, he has had more than 20 years of experience in corporate management positions in the finance industry, both in Western countries and also in Asia and the Arab world. Stephen has frequently spoken at international assemblies and conferences around the world. He holds a Master’s in Human Rights with Distinction from Glasgow Caledonian University. 

  • The webinar is conducted in English.
  • The webinar is broadcast via Vhall.
  • CPD certificates will not be provided for this webinar. Participants need to keep own attendance records in order to self-claim CPD hours.
Pricing and booking information

Price

Fellow Member Free

Member Free

Affiliate Free

Location

Chinese mainland

Date & time

On demand

Book on ACCA

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