The International Integrated Reporting Council has appointed Richard Howitt, a member of the European Parliament as its next CEO, succeeding Paul Druckman.
Howitt will become chief executive of the IIRC on Nov. 1, 2016 and step down from his role at the European Parliament, where he has been a member for 22 years. He has been the second-longest serving member of the European Parliament, representing the East of England. The United Kingdom's Brexit vote earlier this year to leave the European Union is likely to end its involvement in the European Parliament within the next few years.
While in Parliament, he spearheaded the development of the European Union’s non-financial information directive and has been rapporteur on corporate reporting-related issues, including social responsibility.
As the lead member of the European Parliament on corporate responsibility, he has traveled to Asia, Africa and the Americas representing European interests on initiatives such as the UN Business and Human Rights Forum and the OECD Forum on Responsible Business Conduct. He has also been a voluntary IIRC Ambassador for the past five years, promoting integrated reporting in the policy and business communities.
“Europe has been my platform for influencing major international initiatives and processes for more than 20 years, bringing me into contact with businesses, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders internationally,” Howitt said in a statement. “It will be a great privilege to apply this experience in a truly international role and I am excited to be joining such a dynamic and effective team.”
The IIRC created the International Integrated Reporting Framework, which has been adopted by over 1,000 businesses globally. Howitt’s goal as CEO will be to implement the IIRC Board’s newly approved strategic plan to embed integrated reporting principles within corporate governance practices worldwide.
“Richard Howitt is one of life’s change-makers,” said American Institute of CPAs president and CEO and IIRC Board chairman Barry Melancon in a statement. “He is a policymaker with a proven ability to get results. Richard’s appointment cements Paul Druckman’s remarkable legacy, while ensuring the IIRC is well positioned to deliver the next phase of its strategy with an even greater level of impact and success.”
