RSM Australia’s chief executive to retire after 34 years

RSM Australia has announced the retirement of chief executive partner (CEP), Jamie O’Rourke, who will be succeeded by Melbourne-based director and audit partner, Robert Miano.

O’Rourke would step down from the CEP role after nine years and retire from RSM Australia after 34 years at the firm.

RSM said Miano, former managing partner of the Melbourne office, would be the first auditor and first Melbourne-based partner to be elected by his national peers as CEP, and would only be the eighth person to lead the firm over its 103-year history.

According to the firm, Miano was elected based on his experience spanning more than 25 years in local and international, private, publicly listed and not-for-profit organisations in audit and corporate advisory work.

Stepping into the new role on 1 July 2025, Miano was set to “take over the driver’s seat” to deliver the RSM 2030 strategy, ‘Taking Charge on Change’.

Miano said it was an honour to step into the role following O’Rourke’s drive for real and sustained growth across the firm and its national and global network.

“Jamie has been a fantastic leader for the firm. During his tenure we have grown considerably to become more diverse and with a true national presence, with many new service offerings including R&D tax, cybersecurity, data analytics, ERP consulting and ESG,” he said.

“He has championed good strategic calls on technology – including AI, robotics and automation – and embedding offshored staff within our teams, and the benefits are flowing through our practice. He has also invested strongly in our people and I’m passionate about continuing this.”

“Our people are our most important asset and it’s a priority to provide a great work environment and true career paths for all.”

Before his election to CEP, Miano first joined RSM Melbourne in 2003 as an audit partner through an acquisition and was elected to the RSM national executive board in 2014.

Along with O’Rourke, Miano was also one of the first RSM partners to attend the Harvard Business School Leading Professional Firms course in 2011.

Stepping away from the CEP role and 34 years at the firm, O’Rourke said RSM’s strength lies in delivering solutions to the middle market.

“Our aim is to be the first-choice advisor for Australia’s middle market businesses, not number five of any Big Five. We are doing this by delivering innovative solutions, lasting value and an exceptional experience for our clients.”

“We build connections with clients by listening to their needs and demonstrating expertise in the industries in which they operate.”

O’Rourke also noted during his time as CEP, the firm had increased revenue by 150 per cent over the last 10 years, improved national ranking from 9th to 7th exceeding $400 million and increased female leadership representation to 27 per cent, up from eight per cent in 2016.

Miano was an “excellent choice” to guide the firm’s 2030 strategy, which included goals such as reaching 3000 people, 355 partners and director,s as well as increasing revenue to more than $700 million, O’Rourke said.

“Whilst we continue to grow across all areas, our regional footprint is unique and is integral to our national identity. RSM’s strong presence in regional Australia, combined with diverse specialist services in the capital cities, provides a unique and real perspective on the pain points experienced by businesses across the country.”

“I became a partner at the firm 24 years ago, and during this time, I have seen extraordinary growth and enormous change across our national practice. I am proud of what our people have achieved in always delivering exceptional and innovative client solutions.”

“Our national success over recent years is a result of many things including our digital mindset, our strong collaborative culture and our highly engaged workforce.”