One of the public sector’s top finance experts, Steve Freer, has announced he will step down from his post in the next 12 months.
Mr Freer has held the post of chief executive of the Chartered institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Prior to joining CIPFA Mr Freer was county treasurer at Warwickshire CC. He qualified with CIPFA in 1976, and also held posts with Coopers and Lybrand, Nottingham CC and Birmingham City Council.
CIPFA president Sir Tony Redmond paid tribute to the chief executive. He said: ‘He has been the driving force and a major influence behind many of CIPFA's very considerable achievements during his tenure. On behalf of the Institute I would like to express my sincere gratitude for his exceptional work, delivered tirelessly, in public finance and accountancy and wish him well in whatever he chooses to do next.’
Mr Freer said he had thoroughly enjoyed the role but ‘it is time for me to hand over the reins to a successor’.
‘ CIPFA and its members make such an important contribution to the public services, never more so than in the current climate of austerity. In my view, our members are handling some of the most challenging roles in the profession, and doing so with amazing skill,’ he said.
