In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we explore what the history of money can tell us about its future.

Currency has been evolving for thousands of years, but the pace of change has now escalated with the introduction of online banking and digital currencies. We discuss the parallels between modern and historical advances in currency, and key lessons as central banks look to introduce their own digital currencies.

Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager at ICAEW; and Dr Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance at Henley Business School.

Links 

ICAEW Technology hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/technology 

ICAEW Financial Services Faculty: https://www.icaew.com/technical/financial-services

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Polly Tsang, Senior Financial Services Regulatory Manager, ICAEW
• Dr Tony Moore, Lecturer in Finance, Henley Business School

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 20 August 2025

Podcast recorded: 13 August 2025

ICAEW’s Iain Wright hosts a conversation with Emma Jones CBE, the government’s newly appointed Small Business Commissioner, in this special episode of Accountancy Insights.

Jones discusses the Small Business Plan, launched on 30 July, which introduces new measures to tackle late payments. Estimates place the cost of late payments to the UK economy at £11bn per year as well as contributing to the closure of 38 businesses each day. Upcoming legislation will also reduce maximum payment terms from 60 to 45 days .

She also shares learnings from a career spent in small business. Jones founded and exited her first business at the age of 27 and then went on to establish both Enterprise Nation and StartUp Britain to support small and young businesses across the country. She has also previously served as SME Representative for the Crown Commercial Service. 

Links 

• Policy paper: ‘Backing your business: Our plan for small and medium-sized businesses’: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/688b1f6f1affbf4bedb7b11d/our-plan-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses.pdf 
• Open consultation: ‘Late payments: tackling poor payment practices’: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/late-payments-tackling-poor-payment-practices 
• ICAEW Small and Micro Business Community: https://www.icaew.com/technical/small-and-micro-business-community

Host

Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW

Guest

Emma Jones CBE, Small Business Commissioner

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 12 August 2025

Podcast recorded: 7 August 2025

In this episode, we discuss the findings of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s first report, including lessons for other companies around culture and values. We also explore ICAEW’s latest research into mid-tier practices, covering the key drivers of growth and the biggest challenges ahead.

Philippa Lamb is joined in the studio by Peter van Veen, ICAEW Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship; and Sarah Ghaffari, ICAEW Director of Communities, Business and Practice.

Time codes

• 00:39 Inside the Post Office Inquiry
• 22:29 New mid-tier research

Links

• ICAEW event: Post Office treatment and abuse of Sub Post Masters: https://events.icaew.com/pd/31471/follow-up-post-office-treatment-and-abuse-of
• ICAEW: Evolution of mid-tier accountancy firms: https://www.icaew.com/technical/practice-resources/evolution-of-mid-tier-accountancy-firms 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Peter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, ICAEW
• Sarah Ghaffari, Director, Communities, Business and Practice, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 22 July 2025

Podcast recorded: 15 July 2025

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss the hits and misses of the Labour government’s first year in power.

While there have been some clear wins over the past 12 months, particularly on the international stage, domestic politics have felt far less controlled. Our panel evaluates the previous year, as well as suggesting where the government goes from here as it enters its second year.

Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Iain Wright, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer; Frances Haque, Santander UK’s Chief Economist; and David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator at the Daily Express.

Links 

• ICAEW: Economy hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy
• ICAEW Policy: How the government can deliver growth: https://www.icaew.com/about-icaew/regulation-and-the-public-interest/policy/how-the-government-can-deliver-growth 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
• David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, Daily Express

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 14 July 2025

Podcast recorded: 7 July 2025

In this episode, we discuss the government’s new Industrial Strategy and, in particular, its sector plan for professional and business services with Iain Wright, ICAEW Chief Policy and Communications Officer. Iain is Chair of the Professional and Business Services Council, which has worked closely with government in devising the final plans.

We also met speakers at ICAEW’s How to Fix VAT conference on 18 June 2025 to learn about the complexity of the UK’s VAT system and the obstacles to reforming the tax.

Those interested in sharing their views on the Industrial Strategy can contact Iain Wright by emailing [email protected].

Time codes

00:42 Inside the Industrial Strategy

22:46 Navigating VAT reform

Links

• ICAEW: Industrial strategy – four changes to boost professional services: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/industrial-strategy-four-changes-to-boost-professional-services 
• ICAEW: Industrial and Infrastructure Strategies – key measures at a glance: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/industrial-and-infrastructure-strategies-at-a-glance 
• ICAEW: Government reveals ambitions for key sectors: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/government-reveals-ambitions-for-key-sectors 
• ICAEW: UK government backs services in Trade Strategy: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/jun-2025/uk-government-backs-services-in-trade-strategy 
• ICAEW: VAT hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/tax/vat 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
• Max Schofield, Barrister, Devereux Chambers
• Rebecca Porter, CEO, The VAT Team
• John Whiting CBE, Former Tax Director, Office of Tax Simplification
• Yige Zu, Associate Professor, Durham University
• Dennis Lui, CEO, Tax Academy of Singapore
• Ed Saltmarsh, Technical Manager, VAT and Customs, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 8 July 2025

Podcast recorded: 1 July 2025

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how businesses can best navigate geopolitical risk.

With the Trump administration’s push for tariffs, and wars taking place in Europe and the Middle East, doing business internationally is increasingly unpredictable. We explore the lessons learned from Russia’s recent history – beginning with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 all the way through to the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – and the strategies that businesses can put in place to move quickly should similar risks materialise.

Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Peter van Veen, ICAEW Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship, and Charles Hecker, author and risk analyst. 

Links 

• ICAEW: Corporate governance resources: https://www.icaew.com/technical/corporate-governance 
• ICAEW: Ukraine crisis central resource hub: https://www.icaew.com/insights/insights-specials/ukraine-crisis-central-resource-hub 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Peter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, ICAEW
• Charles Hecker, author and risk analyst

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 20 June 2025

Podcast recorded: 13 June 2025

In this episode, we discuss how SMEs can pursue growth in today’s environment of economic uncertainty, as well as explaining how auditors should be fulfilling their responsibilities to exercise professional judgement and scepticism.

Philippa Lamb is joined by start-up consultant Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam and Rhodri Whitlock, Director at HPL Associates.

Time codes

• 00:33 Supporting SME growth
• 08:37 Professional judgement in audit

Links

• ICAEW Scale-Up Live 2025: https://events.icaew.com/pd/31049/scale-up-live-2025
• ICAEW: The importance of people and culture when scaling up: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/apr-2025/the-importance-of-people-and-culture-when-scaling-up
• ICAEW Audit and Assurance: Professional judgement resources: https://www.icaew.com/technical/audit-and-assurance/professional-judgement
• ICAEW Audit and Assurance: Professional scepticism resources: https://www.icaew.com/technical/audit-and-assurance/professional-scepticism 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Romesh Jeyaseelanayagam, Founder, The FD Consultant
• Rhodri Whitlock, Director, HPL Associates

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 13 June 2025

Podcast recorded: 5 June 2025

Accountancy Insights is celebrating its 100th episode.

To mark the occasion, we’ve brought together experts from across business, politics and technology to look at a fundamental problem that’s holding back economic growth: trust. Just how deep is the trust crisis in business and institutions that we hear so much about? And how can it possibly be rebuilt as economic volatility persists?

We set the scene by discussing President Trump’s recent trade negotiations. Next, as Marks & Spencer continues to grapple with its near-catastrophic cyber attack, we explore how businesses can best protect themselves against the escalating risk of cybercrime. And finally, we speak with ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance and Baroness Margaret Ford, Chair of the newly launched Centre for Public Interest Audit, on remedying the impact of high-profile corporate failures on public confidence in business.

This episode is available in both audio and video formats. Join thousands who have already subscribed to Accountancy Insights so that you never miss an episode.

Time codes

• 01:19 Navigating trade and tariffs
• 20:47 Guarding against cybercrime
• 30:05 Strengthening public confidence
• 49:57 Final thoughts

Links 

• ICAEW Economy hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy
• ICAEW Cyber Security hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/technology/cyber-security 
• ICAEW Trust and Ethics hub: https://www.icaew.com/technical/trust-and-ethics
• The Centre for Public Interest Audit: https://www.cpia.org.uk 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Alan Vallance, Chief Executive Officer, ICAEW
• Baroness Margaret Ford, Chair, The Centre for Public Interest Audit
• Iain Wright, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, ICAEW
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
• David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator, Sunday Express
• Paul Munson, EU Compliance Lead, Rippling

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 30 May 2025

Podcast recorded: 20 May 2025

In this episode, we discuss the government’s new measures to collect billions of pounds in unpaid taxes, as well as covering the key changes to ICAEW’s Code of Ethics, which come into effect on 1 July 2025.
 

Philippa Lamb is joined by Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax; and Laura Hough, Director of Trust and Ethics.

This episode refers to penalty rates based on the Bank of England base rate, correct as of 1 May 2025. Make sure you check the current rates.

Time codes

00:28 Collecting unpaid taxes

06:04 Revisions to the Code of Ethics

Links

• HMRC: If you cannot pay your tax bill on time: https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc
• ICAEW: Government takes further action to reduce tax debt: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/mar-2025/government-takes-further-action-to-reduce-tax-debt
• ICAEW: HMRC increases interest rates for tax paid late: https://www.icaew.com/insights/tax-news/2025/mar-2025/hmrc-increases-interest-rates-for-tax-paid-late 
• ICAEW Code of Ethics: https://www.icaew.com/technical/trust-and-ethics/ethics/code-of-ethics
• ICAEW: Keep on top of developments in ethics: https://www.icaew.com/insights/viewpoints-on-the-news/2025/apr-2025/keep-on-top-of-developments-in-ethics 
• Accountancy Insights: Regulating tax advice, plus new professional behaviour wording: https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/accountancy-insights/regulating-tax-advice-plus-new-professional-behaviour-wording 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Stephen Relf, Technical Manager, Tax, ICAEW
• Laura Hough, Director, Trust and Ethics, ICAEW

Producer

Natalie Chisholm 

Episode first published: 12 May 2025
Podcast recorded: 1 May 2025

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, we discuss how professionals should approach social media.

Social media can be a minefield, particularly when personal and professional lives are closely interwoven. Online debate has become increasingly polarised, including how people use professional networks such as LinkedIn. We cover some common pitfalls and explain how ethical principles should be informing the behaviour of chartered accountants online.

Host Philippa Lamb is joined by Lucy Penrose, Director of Ethics, Risk and Compliance at RSM UK; Junaidy Ab-Mutalib, Managing Partner at JM & Co Chartered Accountants in Kuala Lumpur; and Hannah Macdonald, Founder of Accountancy Hub.

Links 

• ICAEW Code of Ethics: https://www.icaew.com/technical/trust-and-ethics/ethics/code-of-ethics 
• ICAEW ethics helpsheets: Using social media: https://www.icaew.com/technical/tas-helpsheets/ethics/using-social-media 

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Lucy Penrose, Director, Ethics, Risk and Compliance, RSM UK
• Junaidy Ab-Mutalib, Managing Partner, JM & Co Chartered Accountants
• Hannah Macdonald, Founder, Accountancy Hub

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 29 April 2025
Podcast recorded: 22 April 2025