CIMA Leadership Change
Alfred Ramosedi Elected CIMA President, Plans Future Finance on Trust, AI, Opportunity
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Alfred Ramosedi, FCMA, CGMA, was elected the 93rd President of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) on June 24, 2026, at a ceremony in London's JW Marriott Grosvenor House, according to PR Newswire. He also becomes the 11th Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which represents more than 574,000 members and students across 150+ countries.
Ramosedi brings over 30 years of experience in South Africa's banking and financial services sector, including senior roles at Nedbank, ABSA, and African Bank. "The choices we make today — how we earn trust, embrace technology, lead through uncertainty and complexity, and invest in the next generation — will shape the future of finance and accounting," he said, per PR Newswire.
A South African Leader Takes the Global Stage
Ramosedi's rise to the top job marks a milestone for African finance. Tariro Mutizwa, CIMA's VP for Africa, called it a "notable achievement for the African finance and accounting community," according to PR Newswire. Ramosedi began his career at Nedbank in 1995 and joined the CIMA Gauteng Branch as Secretary in 1998 before later serving as President of the South Africa Area Committee.
He was elected CIMA Deputy President in June 2025 and ascended to the presidency one year later. Dr. Matthew Hansard, a former research scientist turned healthcare CFO, was elected Deputy President alongside him, per AICPA & CIMA.
Trust as Currency in an AI-Disrupted Profession
Ramosedi's presidency arrives during a crisis of confidence. Global confidence among accountants fell to its third-lowest point ever in Q1 2026, according to CFO.com. Meanwhile, 98% of firms now report using AI daily, yet only 21% have a formal AI policy or strategy, per the Karbon 2026 Report cited by PR Newswire.
The trust gap is stark. PR Newswire reports that 78% of clients now see AI-enabled quality as essential — but only 6% believe their providers are actually delivering it. Unsanctioned AI use is creating "invisible, unmanaged risk" in 33% of firms, according to Thomson Reuters research. Ramosedi's theme of "trust as the profession's most valuable currency" is a direct response to these numbers.
CIMA Overhauls Its Qualification for the AI Era
The presidency coincides with a major refresh of the CGMA qualification. In 2026, CIMA formally integrated Generative AI, sustainability, and real-world business partnering into its syllabus, per PR Newswire. The move is part of the broader "Rise2040" initiative, launched under outgoing President John Graham, to redefine accountants as "trust architects" and "data translators."
In June 2026, Graham led a CGMA Convocation in Johannesburg that recognized over 640 new professionals — a signal of growing African talent in the field. With 91% of graduates now more likely to join firms that use AI, CIMA's syllabus overhaul is also a talent retention play for the next generation.
Africa's Growth Story Shapes Ramosedi's Agenda
Africa is central to Ramosedi's vision. The African Development Bank projects 4.3% GDP growth for the continent in 2026. Experts say his leadership could help close the "accounting skills deficit" across fast-growing markets like Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, per UK Finance Yahoo.
High-adoption regions like South Africa report 36–42% strategic impact from AI tools — far ahead of North America and Europe, which trail at just 18–22%, according to PR Newswire. Ramosedi's co-chair, Jan Lewis, CPA, CGMA, will work alongside him to steer the Association's 574,000-strong global membership through what the organization calls a defining moment for the profession.
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