EY set to appoint audit chief to run UK and Ireland business

Опубликовано: 12 Март 2020
на канале: Boyd Digital: Business News

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Reported today on City AM

For the full article visit: https://www.cityam.com/ey-set-to-appo...

EY is set to pick its audit chief to run its UK business, despite the threat of a break-up that could see the division hived off from its consulting arm.Hywel Ball, who has been with the firm for 35 years, is set to be appointed as UK and Ireland managing partner succeeding Steve Varley, Sky News reported.Ball's selection over potential female candidates would continue the Big Four's terrible diversity track record.None of KPMG, Deloitte, PwC or EY have ever been run by a female boss.Read more: EY UK boss Steve Varley takes global sustainability roleThe firm's UK chief operating officer Lynn Rattigan and global accounts committee chair were on the final shortlist of four candidates.The audit watchdog criticised the profession last autumn, saying more needed to be done to ensure that firms were not limiting the most senior roles to white men."The business case for improved diversity has been made and now it's time for the audit and accountancy profession to take further positive action," Sir Jon Thompson, the chief executive of the Financial Reporting Council, said in October.Ball has been a partner at the firm for more than 25 years.Read more: FRC tells Big Four auditors to accelerate break-up planHe is client partner for some of EY's largest accounts in the UK and is the audit partner for several FTSE 50 companies.EY said in January that Varley was stepping down as managing partner to take up a new role as global vice chair of sustainability. Varley will report to EY's global chair and chief executive Carmine Di Sibio.Sky said Ball's appointment could be announced this week.EY was contacted for comment.