OECD executive among 3 new ‘high calibre’ KPMG hires
The firm has enlisted the help of three senior business figures with extensive experience in guiding organisations through critical issues.
KPMG has appointed an OECD executive, the former CEO of the Business Council and the former chairman of Screen Australia to the firm.
The firm said David Bradbury, deputy director of the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and former Labor minister, would join as a consulting partner from August.
Meanwhile Jennifer Westacott, the chancellor of Western Sydney University and former Business Council chief executive, would start this month as a special adviser, along with Michael Ebeid as an independent adviser to the firm’s national board.
Chief executive Andrew Yates said he was delighted to add such “high calibre” individuals to the firm.
David, Jennifer and Michael have distinct and deep experience in understanding the critical issues facing organisations from a global and domestic perspective – and conversely, how organisations can best adapt to respond to them,” he said.
“I am confident they will make outstanding additions to our organisation, both for our people and our clients.”
The appointments come after KPMG announced a major overhaul of its consulting practice last month. It involved the cutting of 200 senior staff and pivoting towards technology advisory in an effort to save $80 million and adapt to industry pressures.
Yates said Bradbury’s appointment complemented the firm’s consulting restructure.
“David is a highly respected national and global policy leader who joins us after a decade at the OECD,” he said.
“As a key member of our business transformation team, David will provide clients with fresh insights as they seek to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape. He will also help them seize the opportunities of digitalisation and decarbonisation.”
Bradbury, a lawyer by training, was an assistant treasurer under prime ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd before joining the OECD in 2014.
At the OECD, he played a central role in developing the OECD/G20 base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) regime and the Pillar Two global minimum tax rate of 15 per cent, KPMG said.
Bradbury said he was looking forward to working in a broader role rather than being focused on tax matters.
“I am pleased to be returning home to Australia and am energised by the opportunity to take on this new role with KPMG,” he said.
“The firm has offered me the chance to move into a broader role – beyond tax – where I will work with highly motivated and talented teams and to use my skills and experience to help businesses lift their productivity and succeed in an increasingly complex and challenging global environment.”
Business leader Westacott would re-join KPMG as a special adviser on both internal and external issues. She previously worked at the firm from 2005 to 2011 as the national lead partner for sustainability, climate change and water practice.
In 2018, she was made an Officer (AO) of the General Division of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to private and public sector administration, the firm said.
“I am very pleased to be returning to KPMG, an organisation that puts people first and has the expertise and commitment to contribute to the big-ticket policy solutions to some of Australia and the world’s most pressing challenges,” Westacott said.
Ebeid would join as an independent adviser to the national board focusing on technology, digital transformation and culture.
The firm said he was the current chairman of Screen Australia, a former Telstra executive and CEO of SBS. In 2017 he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to broadcast media and multicultural affairs.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the firm’s ongoing success, and work with the Board. Much of our economy relies on KPMG in some way, and its purpose and vision really resonate with me,” he said.
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