New CASSL Chair Sophie Armstrong reflects upon a very busy and successful past 12 months.
The Chartered Accountant Student Society of London (CASSL) recently held its AGM General Meeting, marking the end of a successful year and the start of a new committee.
The evening was chaired by Malcolm Bacchus, CASSL’s Honorary President, who shared his journey to becoming the President of the ICAEW. He highlighted the vital role that student societies, like CASSL, play in shaping the future of accountancy. Attendees also heard from John Ellis, PwC’s London Audit Market Lead Partner, who reminded us all that the ACA is not just a qualification, but the foundation for a career that can take you anywhere.
The outgoing chair, Aydin Bolton, reflected on his highlights of the year, including the 2025 Annual Ball, which hosted over 150 ACA trainees across London and featured inspiring keynote speakers such as Malcolm Bacchus and Afua Kyei, the CFO of the Bank of England.
Aydin concluded his term on a high note, having been shortlisted for the PQ of the year award, a testament to his leadership and the impact of our society.
Just one year ago I attended my first CASSL event, the 2024 AGM. Now I’m proud to serve as CASSL’s youngest-ever Chair. In September 2024 I stepped into the role of Events Director, a position that allowed me to see the society’s power to connect, inspire and support. As an apprentice from a small intake before my transfer to London, I found not only a professional network but a community that helped me grow in confidence – from being too shy to start a conversation at my first event to now leading our ever-expanding society.
Looking ahead, my focus is to expand CASSL’s reach and continue to build relationships with firms across London. One of my first initiatives is to relaunch the CASSL Ambassador programme, with an expanded scope that includes University Ambassadors. By increasing representation from a wider range of firms and academic institutions, we aim to ensure that every ACA trainee in London feels seen, supported, and part of something bigger.
Accessibility and inclusivity remain central to our mission. We want our events to reflect the diversity of our membership and provide value to everyone, regardless of background or stage in training. In the coming months, we’ll be hosting a wide range of events, from panel discussions on AI and ESG, to exam revision workshops, activity- based socials, and professional development sessions focused on soft skills.
Finally, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to the outgoing committee for their dedication over the past year and to the incoming committee for their passion for CASSL.
CASSL is built by its members and driven by the mission of creating a community for ACA trainees in London. If you’re interested in getting involved as an ambassador, event organiser or simply someone with ideas to share, we’d love to hear from you!
