The Trustees of the IFRS Foundation today announced the appointments of Steven Maijoor as the next Chair of the Trustees, effective 1 January 2027, and Sam Woods as Chair of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), effective 1 October 2026. The appointments conclude planned succession arrangements and provide the Foundation with a new leadership team to continue its important role providing critical infrastructure to capital markets globally.
Steven Maijoor
Mr Maijoor brings extensive senior regulatory and leadership experience in international financial markets. He is a former Chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (the European Union’s financial market regulator and supervisor) and is currently a member of the Executive Board and Chair of Supervision of De Nederlandsche Bank, the central bank of the Netherlands. He also currently serves as a member of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank.
Earlier in his career Mr Maijoor was a Professor and Dean at the School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University. He graduated from the University of Groningen with a Master’s degree in business economics and obtained a PhD in economics and accounting from Maastricht University.
Mr Maijoor's appointment brings continuity to the leadership of the organisation; he has served as a Trustee since 2023 and more recently as Chair of the Foundation’s Due Process Oversight Committee, which oversees the standard-setting process of the IASB and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). His appointment is for an initial three-year term. He succeeds Erkki Liikanen, who has served as Trustee Chair since 2018.
As Chair of the Trustees, Mr Maijoor will lead an international body of 22 Trustees—senior professionals reflecting views from every region of the world—and will be supported by Vice-Chairs from the Americas and Asia. The Trustees are responsible for the strategy, oversight, governance and funding of the IFRS Foundation and its independent standard-setting boards.
Mr Maijoor’s appointment has been approved by the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board, a group of capital markets authorities to whom the Trustees are accountable.
Sam Woods
Mr Woods is a recognised leader in international financial regulation, having previously served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England and Chief Executive Officer of the UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). He succeeds Andreas Barckow, whose term as IASB Chair concluded in June 2026. Mr Woods is appointed for a five-year term.
Before joining the PRA, Mr Woods held various senior roles in HM Treasury in the UK, the New Zealand Treasury and in the private sector. Originating from New Zealand, Mr Woods holds an MBA from INSEAD and is a graduate of the University of Oxford.
He brings a proven track record of leading highly technical organisations, as well as broad experience in financial regulation, public policy and managing complex stakeholder relationships. His strategic and organisational leadership skills, and experience in driving change and technology-led innovation make him well suited to lead the IASB in achieving its mission and responding to evolving market needs efficiently and effectively. Mr Woods has long championed high-quality financial reporting standards as essential for a sound global financial system.
Cohesive leadership for the future
Since its creation in 2001, the IFRS Foundation has transformed the global landscape of financial information. IFRS Standards are regarded as critical infrastructure for capital markets globally and trusted by market participants worldwide for making informed investment decisions. The new leadership team will build on this success and ensure the Foundation is well placed for the future.
Today’s appointments complete the Foundation’s four most senior leadership positions. Mr Maijoor and Mr Woods will work closely with ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber and incoming Managing Director Laura Forzani, who begins her appointment on 1 September 2026. The Trustees’ Nominating Committee led the process for the appointments, supported by executive search firms.
Current Chair of the Trustees Erkki Liikanen said:
I congratulate Steven and Sam on their appointments. Their impressive track records and achievements speak for themselves. Steven’s time as a Trustee and Chair of the Due Process Oversight Committee will provide important continuity in Trustee leadership, whilst Sam’s senior experience and background in regulatory and treasury matters make him well placed to guide the IASB through the next stage of its evolution. I also thank Andreas for successfully implementing the IASB’s work plan during his term as IASB Chair.
Steven Maijoor said:
I am honoured to follow Erkki as the next Chair of the Trustees. The Foundation and its Standards are trusted worldwide. I look forward to building on this success, working with the Trustees, the leadership of both boards, our new Managing Director and others to ensure the Foundation continues to transform and innovate in its work.
Sam Woods said:
High-quality accounting standards are a vital foundation of the global economy. I have been involved with IFRS Standards throughout my career as a financial regulator and look forward to working alongside talented staff and fellow board members at the IASB.
Toshiyuki Miyoshi, Chair of the IFRS Foundation Monitoring Board, said:
The Monitoring Board has approved Steven's appointment as the new Chair of the Trustees in view of his impressive background, including senior leadership experience at the national and international level combined with extensive knowledge of finance, economics, and policies. I congratulate him on the appointment and look forward to working closely with him.
I am also pleased to warmly welcome Sam as Chair of the IASB. His strengths in strategic thinking, leadership and management will surely help the IASB navigate the challenging times ahead.
On this occasion, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Erkki for his dedication to the Foundation and collaboration with the Monitoring Board over the past eight years. I would also like to express my gratitude to Andreas for his remarkable contributions to the IASB.
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