Communications executive Michael Stewart joins PwC in global role
PwC has appointed a new Global Leader for Corporate Affairs and Communications, as well as Chair of its Global Public Policy Board. London-based Michael Stewart arrives at the firm following six years in senior roles with global communications firm Edelman.
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, KPMG and PwC – with a growing number of public figures calling for their break-up in the wake of a slew of accounting scandals in the UK.
In response to this, two of the foursome have decided the time is right to launch a new role to help it take back control of its own narrative. Last month, KPMG named Jane Lawrie as the firm’s first Global Head of Corporate Affairs, with the new hire taking charge of the firm’s international communications with immediate effect. Now, PwC has followed suit by appointing Michael Stewart as its own Global Leader for Corporate Affairs and Communications.
In his new role, Stewart will report to PwC's Global Markets Leader Richard Oldfield, who commented, "We are delighted to welcome Michael to PwC’s leadership team. Michael brings a wealth of expertise and experience and a truly global perspective which will be hugely beneficial for our organisation as we work together on building the PwC of tomorrow.”
Stewart is a seasoned public relations professional, specialising in communications strategy, crisis communications and issues management and public affairs, among other aspects of the field. After obtaining a degree in International Business from the University of Colorado Boulder – Leeds School of Business, Stewart spent the best part of three decades in public relations.
Most recently, this saw Stewart spend six years with international communications specialist Edelman. During that time, Stewart held the roles of Global Vice Chair and European CEO. His spell with Edelman came after 12 years with strategy consulting giant McKinsey & Company, where Stewart was latterly the firm’s Global Director of Communications.
Stewart himself remarked, "I have always admired PwC's brand, its people and its commitment to being an organisation led by a clear purpose and a strong set of values. I am thrilled to join the PwC team and I look forward to working with my new colleagues and our stakeholders around the world."
