Jon Holt lined up as KPMG's next boss in the UK

Following an extensive internal review process, the board of KPMG has put forward Jon Holt as its nominee for the role of chief executive officer.

In the coming two weeks, KPMG’s partners in the UK will vote on the appointment, with the result expected to be announced on or before 14 April. Typically, the nomination of a new chief executive office is ratified by the partner team with a high level of support. 

If approved, Holt will take up the role immediately, stepping into the shoes of Bill Michael who resigned last month following a number of controversial remarks that leaked out to the press. This included a comment to KPMG’s financial services consultants to “stop whining” about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their working lives. 

Holt has been with the Big Four giant since 1994, over the past years holding a number of leadership roles. He currently is KPMG UK’s Head of Audit, where he oversees 7,000 people, and Chair of the firm’s Executive Committee for Audit. Prior to that, he was Head of the Financial Services industry vertical overseeing audit, transaction services and advisory projects, and a senior partner in KPMG’s Manchester office. 

Until Holt is installed, KPMG is led by two women in the interim: Mary O’Connor and Bina Mehta. “Jon was the outstanding candidate and met all the criteria we laid down at the start of our nomination process,” said KPMG UK Chair Mehta. 

“Jon knows our firm inside out and is a first-class leader… I know our partners will benefit from Jon’s experience, expertise and his inclusive leadership and I’m delighted he has agreed to put his name forward for the role of chief executive.”

Last week KPMG installed a new chief executive officer in Australia: company veteran Andrew Yates.