Rachel Banfield became the 34^th President of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) on 16 May. With over 130,000 members, AAT is the UK’s leading qualifications and membership body for accounting technicians.

Rachel has served as Vice-President of AAT for one year and was nominated to AAT Council by CIPFA in 2004 and has served as an elected member since 2006.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark Farrar, AAT’s Chief Executive said: “Rachel Banfield brings with her a wealth of experience in the academic sector. During her 20 years as a member of AAT, Rachel has made valuable contributions while chairing the Learning and Development Board, Education and Training Monitoring Panel and the Global Development Steering Group.”

Rachel added: “I was delighted to be offered the opportunity of being the new AAT President. I am looking forward to continuing the long legacy of AAT as the leading organisation it is today in both the accountancy and the education sectors.”

Rachel studied for the AAT qualification while working in local government and has been passionate about vocational education ever since. She recognises the importance to the business of having financially trained employees and it was this advocacy of employability skills that drew her to ifs University College where she currently works as Vice Principal.