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Gary Wingrove takes the helm at KPMG amid AI shift and audit crises

On October 1, Gary Wingrove assumed the role of global chairman and CEO of KPMG, inheriting a network of 276,000 employees. He steps into the top position at a critical juncture, tasked with navigating the firm through a cooling consulting market while managing the fallout from a major Australian audit scandal.

Gary Wingrove takes the helm at KPMG amid AI shift and audit crises

Wingrove, who previously served as CEO of KPMG Australia and international COO, faces the complex challenge of modernizing a historically fragmented global network. While the firm reported $39.8 billion in revenue for 2025—a 5.1% increase driven largely by robust tax and audit growth—its advisory arm lagged behind competitors at 2.9%. To bridge this gap, Wingrove has unveiled "Connected 2030," a strategic push toward greater organizational integration and technological agility.

Artificial intelligence remains the firm's most significant disruption. As AI tools automate routine analytical tasks, the traditional "pyramid" model of training junior staff is being forced to evolve. Beyond internal innovation, Wingrove must address the reputational damage stemming from a confidentiality scandal in Australia, where client information was inappropriately shared. With regulators and clients watching closely, he must balance the autonomy of independent regional firms with the need for a unified global brand and rigorous governance.

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