The changes to its executive committee simplifies the firm’s decision-making and governance under recently appointed chief executive Jon Holt.  The firm’s current executive governance of an executive board and a separate executive leadership team will be simplified to form one executive committee for the firm.

The new executive committee will consist of 14 partners from across the firm and comprise 43% women.

In another senior appointment, Catherine Burnet has been appointed as the firm’s new head of audit. The announcement follows the appointment in April of Jon Holt, the previous head of audit, as chief executive of KPMG UK.

Burnet will take up her new role immediately. She was previously regional chair for Scotland, Edinburgh office senior partner and a lead partner on a number of the companies the firm audits. Her career spans more than 25 years with KPMG, working in Edinburgh, London and Chicago. She is a past president of ICAS and also a member of the Financial Services Advisory Board to Scottish government and the council at CBI Scotland. 

Jon Holt, chief executive of KPMG UK, said: ‘I’m pleased to announce Catherine’s appointment as our new head of audit. The audit profession is undergoing significant change through operational separation with further transformation on the horizon with the proposals outlined in the government’s white paper. I know Catherine will bring her leadership, energy and focus to lead our audit practice through these changes.

‘Catherine’s appointment is also testament to the development of our talent and leadership within the firm. Catherine will join the executive committee where the broader firm will benefit from her insight and experience.’

Executive committee members