Jane Lawrie joins KPMG as Global Head of Corporate Affairs

KPMG has appointed communications executive Jane Lawrie to the newly created role of Head of Global Corporate Affairs. Lawrie joins the firm following more than two decades in similar roles for the likes of Tesco and Coca-Cola.

In recent years, maintaining a positive public image has become an increasingly crucial aspect of business for the world’s largest audit and advisory firms. This is particularly true for the so-called Big Four – a quartet of the world’s largest accounting and consulting firms consisting of Deloitte, EY, PwC and KPMG – with a growing number of public figures calling for their break-up in the wake of a slew of accounting scandals in the UK.

KPMG has perhaps been the hardest hit of the foursome, with the firm having been previously singled out for its conduct by the Financial Reporting Council. The firm’s reputation has undoubtedly taken a hit from its connections to the collapse of Carillion and subsequent rollickings in Parliament, and amid this atmosphere, the firm has decided the time is right to launch a new role to help it take back control of its own narrative.

Lawrie has been appointed KPMG’s first Global Head of Corporate Affairs, and will take charge of the firm’s international communications with immediate effect. The new global communications and corporate affairs role will see her – who is based in London – sit on KPMG’s global management team and report to Global Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Thomas.

Remarking on the appointment, Thomas said, “I am delighted to welcome Jane into this new role. With over 25 years' experience in helping organisations protect and grow their reputation, Jane brings with her a wealth of experience in corporate, digital and employee communications, public policy and sustainability.”

Lawrie arrives at KPMG having been a member of the Tesco Executive Committee from 2016 to 2019, and leading the retailer’s group communications function through its financial turnaround, which included the acquisition of Booker. She also led the supermarket’s Corporate Responsibility Committee, while establishing a new sustainability programme.

She previously served as The Coca-Cola’s Company’s public affairs and communications Director for Europe for a decade. During that time, she was responsible for the internal and external communications for Coca-Cola Europe, including a focus on corporate social responsibility communication.

Commenting on her new challenge, Lawrie said, “KPMG is a strong, global brand with great people. I look forward to working with leaders across the organisation to deliver on the commitments we have made to our people, our clients and the communities in which we live and work.”