Accountancy Europe names new public sector group chair

By:

Calum Rutter

6 Apr 20

CIPFA member Peter Welch has been appointed chair of an Accountancy Europe expert group that pushes for sustainability and transparency for the continent’s public finances.

Welch will lead Accountancy Europe’s Public Sector Policy Group, “bringing his technical knowledge and sector experience” to help the Brussels-based organisation with its goal of leading the debate on the issues affecting the profession.

Welch has worked at the European Court of Auditors since 1996, and currently holds the role of director of the unit promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Prior to that he worked mostly for the UK National Audit Office.

The Public Sector Policy Group helps Accountancy Europe, which brings together 51 professional organisations of more than one million accountants across 35 countries, raise awareness and share knowledge of technical issues and the organisation’s broader policy priorities.

It provides independent opinions and advice to policymakers. It also “seeks to enhance the profession’s reputation, demonstrate its value and commitment to the public interest and stimulate debate and new thinking in European public sector accounting policy”.

According to Accountancy Europe, the public sector accounts for around 50% of economic activity in many countries across the continent.