KPMG picks former Australia head wingrove as global CEO, FT reports

KPMG picks COO Wingrove as next global chief, FT reports

KPMG Leadership Transition and Global Strategy

March 4 (Reuters) - Big Four accounting firm KPMG has selected its former Australia head, Gary Wingrove, as its next global chief executive, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. 

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. KPMG did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

Gary Wingrove’s Background and Role at KPMG

Wingrove is currently KPMG's global chief operating officer and was the CEO of KPMG Australia from 2013 to 2021.

Selection Process for the New Global Chief

The firm's board met in late February to discuss the candidates and recommended Wingrove over KPMG UK boss Jon Holt, but the decision is yet to be ratified by the company's global council, the report said.

KPMG’s Global Presence and Industry Position

Headquartered in London, KPMG provides audit, tax and advisory services across 138 countries and territories, with more than 276,000 partners and employees. It is one of the so-called Big Four accounting firms alongside PwC, Deloitte and EY.

Strategic Initiatives Led by Wingrove

Wingrove had "been behind some of the most transformational aspects" of KPMG's strategy in recent years, including closer integration and "multibillion-dollar investments in technology and AI," the FT said, citing a person familiar with the business.

Current CEO and Leadership Timeline

Current CEO Bill Thomas' term ends in September this year. He was first elected chairman of the firm in 2017.

(Reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Alan Barona)