Ed. note: This article was originally published on March 5, 2026. It was updated on March 18 after KPMG made a public announcement confirming Gary Wingrove as Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KPMG International. Update appears below the original text of the article which is unchanged, the word “allegedly” has been struck from the article’s headline.
Although it hasn’t yet been ratified nor publicized, sources have spilled beans to Financial Times and say Gary Wingrove is set to be KPMG’s next global CEO, replacing Bill Thomas who’s sat in the big seat since 2017. Made partner in 2000, Wingrove rose through the ranks to CEO of KPMG Australia in 2013 and eventually ending up global COO where he is today.
Let’s check out his bio on KPMG’s site, see if we spot any flags:
Gary Wingrove is the Chief Operating Officer of KPMG International, responsible for executing the firm’s Collective Strategy and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the global organization — helping shape the future of the firm across 143 countries and territories.
In this role, Gary leads operational integration through regional clustering, steers global investment portfolios and innovation programs, and oversees the expansion of the KPMG Delivery Network (KDN). He is also at the forefront of the firm’s digital transformation and AI adoption, and plays a pivotal role in guiding leadership transitions across the network.
So offshoring and AI, nice. We’d expect nothing less from whoever will be guiding the ship through the ass-end of the 2020s.
Said FT of what their source told them:
Wingrove had “been behind some of the most transformational aspects” of KPMG’s strategy in recent years, including closer integration and “multibillion-dollar investments in technology and AI”, according to a person familiar with the business.
The changes had helped KPMG to be the fastest-growing of the Big Four globally for the past two years, the person said, ahead of larger rivals Deloitte, EY and PwC. As leader of KPMG Australia, he oversaw a near-doubling of revenue, profits and headcount, the person added.
Supposedly Wingrove was up against KPMG UK big dog Jon Holt who you may remember from such hits as KPMGers Across the Pond Will Not Be Having a Happy Christmas, KPMG UK Partners Discover Layoffs Are the Secret to Record Payouts, and KPMG UK Partners Seem to Like This Jon Holt Guy. FT wrote that senior partners in the UK were so sure their guy would win that they’d already started setting up the internal fight for his chair. They “had begun jostling for position in anticipation of a vacancy, with a number of candidates being seriously considered until last week,” FT wrote of what they were told by a source.
The KPMG global council meets later this month, at which time a final decision will be made.
Update: Would you look at that, KPMG announced today (March 18) that Gary Wingrove has been elected as the next Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KPMG International. He begins his four-year term on October 1.
The press release barely rehashes the biographical info we pulled from the KPMG website two weeks ago. Truly, barely.
Gary currently serves as Global Chief Operating Officer and is a member of the Global Management Team. In this role, he has helped shape and execute KPMG’s global strategy (known as KPMG’s Collective Strategy), leading major advances in operational integration, regional clustering, global investment alignment, alliance expansion, and the ongoing growth of the KPMG Delivery Network (KDN). He has also overseen the firm’s digital transformation and the adoption of AI‑enabled solutions across the global organisation.
Before becoming global COO, Gary served as CEO of KPMG Australia from 2013 to 2021, nearly doubling the firm’s revenue, profitability and headcount while reshaping its culture. His global experience underpins the strategic clarity, operational discipline and values‑led leadership he brings to the role.
Wow, that’s practically word-for-word what FT’s source said. How peculiar.
Now, anyone got the behind the scenes on this guy besides what’s been presented in press releases?
Anyone would be a better fit than Jon Holt. KPMG UK has been a colossal embarrassment due to poor leadership.
Was he at least well liked by senior leadership within the firm? We’re not fully up on the UK lore if you have any to share!
Sure, he was liked simply because he’s nothing more than a figurehead among leadership anyway. If there was no Bill Michael, there would be no Jon Holt. Bill was disliked because he had no filter and he didn’t schmooze with other leaders as he preferred listening to clients.
Fellow Aussie here. Used to work in KPMG Sydney and met Gary a couple of times and always thought he’s a super approachable and friendly person. I’m sure he’s really well liked in the firm and has lots of support to go for the top job.