ICAEW is embarking on a long-term project looking at the changes to the business environment we can envision over the next two or three decades.

The Institute is in the unique position of knowing today’s ICAEW students and younger members will be tomorrow’s captains of industry. We therefore have an obligation to prepare our members and others for the challenges of the future. This has resulted in the establishment of the ICAEW Business Futures project.

14 potential discussion streams have been identified and four broad themes have been chosen for work in the first year. They are:

• The impact of ageing populations on businesses and individuals;
• The growing demand for water and energy;
• The changes, threats and opportunities for education and training;
• The development of tax policies and their impact on businesses and Government.

Four panels have been formed, one for each of the four themes. Each panel will produce a draft report by January 2014 setting out its views on what the future may hold and the final reports and recommendations will be launched at IFB2014. Each committee is chaired by an expert in the field and includes at least two ICAEW members, an ICAEW younger member or student, an ICAEW regional director and up to three external experts (including academics specialising in the field under discussion as well as a member of the media).

Our panel members/partners on this project include:

Baroness Sally Greengross OBE

The International Longevity Centre, Royal Society of Arts

Paul Wallace, The Economist

Dr Richard Scase, Canterbury University, Warwick University

Susan Davy, Finance and Regulatory Director, South West Water

Seven Trent Water

Carl Bayley, Tax Author and Presenter (and Deputy Chairman, ICAEW Tax Faculty)

The reports will be promoted to the media, our membership and key stakeholders in both the public and private sector and will inform future ICAEW manifestos and other submissions to policy-makers.