IIA Awards Showcase Professional Commitment, Best Writing

LAKE MARY, Fla. USA (8 May 2018)—The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) presented two of the organization’s most prestigious awards to a couple of longtime volunteers and former Global Board chairmen today at The IIA’s 2018 International Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Gerald D. Cox was awarded the Bradford Cadmus Memorial Award, which was named to honor the memory of The IIA’s first managing director and recognizes exceptional volunteer service and contributions to the profession. Cox, who has more than 35 years of internal audit experience, is the CEO of SWAP Internal Audit Services, a not-for-profit organization that provides services to a growing number of clients throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.

“Gerry has worked tirelessly through the years to advance the profession,” said 2017–18 IIA Global Chairman J. Michael Peppers in presenting the award. “Throughout his career, Gerry has sought not only to speak on behalf of internal auditing and its value, but also to listen to professionals talk about challenges they are facing and the opportunities they see ahead.”
Among other volunteer roles, Cox’s past service includes serving two terms as president of the IIA–UK and Ireland, chairing the Global Advocacy Committee and serving on The IIA’s Executive Committee and Board, culminating in his role as 2007–08 Global Chairman of the Board.

Anton van Wyk received the Victor Z. Brink Award for Distinguished Service, which was established to recognize individuals who, over time, have given unusual and outstanding service to the profession through participation in the activities of The IIA. As a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, van Wyk leads PwC’s Africa Risk Assurance Practice.

Van Wyk’s past IIA involvement includes serving as president of IIA–South Africa. He also served as 2014–15 Global Chairman — the first individual from the African Continent and the first South African to lead the world’s largest internal audit organization.
“It is worth noting that, during his chairmanship, Anton was part of a prestigious panel and presented on his chairman’s theme, ‘Mind the Gap,’ at the United Nations as part of the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services’ 20th anniversary celebration,” Peppers said. “He was the only non-UN executive to participate in the high-level discussion, which was kicked off by then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.”

In addition, on Monday, James Roth received the Thurston Award for his article, “How to Audit Culture,” which appeared in the June 2017 issue of Internal Auditor magazine. The award, named after The IIA’s first president, John B. Thurston, recognizes the author of the article voted as the most outstanding work published in the past year by the magazine. Roth is president of AuditTrends LLC, a training firm devoted to identifying and communicating the best of current internal audit practices. His article offers internal auditors thoughts on successfully enhancing coverage of culture.