Big night for HLB as they take home Accounting Leader of the Year Award and ESG/Sustainability Initiative of the Year accolades

London – Global CEO Marco Donzelli was honoured with the prestigious Accounting Leader of the Year Award IAFA 2025 at the International Accounting Forum awards, held last night in London. Marco was applauded for his ability to look beyond numbers, through investing and implementing market leading strategies and company initiatives, which have strengthened HLB to overcome the challenges the modern accountancy profession faces.

HLB also won the ESG/Sustainability Initiative of the Year award for their impactful initiatives, notably HLB Cares and Women Advancement Report, showing a strong, measurable commitment to sustainability and long-term strategy. With evidence of firm-wide impact, employee involvement, and broader implications, their efforts set a market-wide benchmark for sustainability and social responsibility.

Marco Donzelli, HLB Global CEO said:

"I am deeply honoured to receive the Accounting Leader of the Year Award IAFA 2025. This recognition is a reflection the incredible dedication and innovation of the entire HLB team. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Zoya Malik and the editorial team at the IAB for this award. Their acknowledgment inspires us to continue shaping the future of accountancy with resilience, forward-thinking, and purpose.

Congrats also to the HLB team for winning ESG/Sustainability Initiative of the Year. At HLB, it is our purpose to create a positive and sustainable impact on the future of our clients, our people and our communities. Our success hinges on our people. By prioritising trust, respect, and our shared values, we have created a culture primed for long-term success.”

Zoya Malik, Editor-in-Chief, Financial Services Practice, GlobalData Plc and Editor, International Accounting Bulletin said:

“We at the International Accounting Bulletin and The Accountant magazines have been consistently impressed by Marco Donzelli’s leadership at HLB. While the network has achieved steady growth and focus across all service lines, as recorded in World Survey 2025, Marco has demonstrated the need to look beyond the numbers, through investing and implementing market leading and company initiatives, which have strengthened the network’s ability to overcome the challenges the modern accountancy profession faces.  Marco is forever a thoughtful and professional leader, confident in creating strong market partnerships and offering forward-looking views, in raising industry standards”

On winning ESG/Sustainability Initiative of the Year, HLB Chief People Officer Stephanie Rix added that:

“We are thrilled to have won this award which is a recognition of the everyday actions of our member firms, our thriving communities and our HLB Cares Leadership team. We hope that it will help amplify the message that responsible business practices are both a moral and commercial imperative”

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