OECD Director Among 3 New “High-Caliber” Hires at KPMG

KPMG has hired a former Business Council CEO and former Screen Australia CEO as an OECD director.

The company said David Bradbury, deputy director of the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and a former labour minister, will join as a consulting partner from August.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Westacott, chancellor of Western Sydney University and former chief executive of the Business Council, will start as a special adviser this month, as will Michael Ebeid as an independent adviser to the national business council.

Chief executive Andrew Yates said he was delighted to have recruited “such high calibre” people to join the business.

“David, Jennifer and Michael have unique and deep experience in understanding the key issues organizations face from a global and national perspective – and conversely, how organizations can best adapt to them,” he said.

“I am confident they will make a significant contribution to our organization, both for our employees and our customers.”

The appointments come after KPMG announced a major overhaul of its consulting practice last month, which included cutting 200 senior staff and shifting to technology consulting in a bid to save $80 million and adapt to industry pressures.

Yates said Bradbury’s hiring complements the firm’s restructuring of its consulting business.

“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 a fresh perspective on a rapidly changing landscape. He will also help them capitalize on the opportunities of digitalization and decarbonization.”

Bradbury, a lawyer by training, was deputy treasurer to prime ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd before joining the OECD in 2014.

According to KPMG, at the OECD he played a key role in developing the OECD/G20 BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) regime and the 15 percent global minimum tax rate under Pillar 2.

Bradbury said he would not like to focus solely on tax matters and take on a broader range of responsibilities.

“I am delighted to be returning home to Australia and am excited about the opportunity to take up a new role with KPMG,” he said.

“The company offered me the opportunity to take on a broader scope of responsibilities – beyond tax – where I would work with highly motivated and talented teams and use my skills and experience to help companies become more productive and successful in an increasingly complex and demanding global environment.”

Business leader Westacott will rejoin KPMG as a special advisor, internal and external. She previously served with the firm from 2005 to 2011 as national lead partner for the firm’s sustainability, climate change and water practices.

In 2018, she was appointed an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to private and public sector government, the company said.

“I am delighted to be returning to KPMG, an organisation that puts people first and has the expertise and commitment to help deliver cost-effective policy solutions to Australia’s and the world’s most pressing challenges,” Mr Westacott said.

Ebeid will be an independent advisor to the country board, focusing on technology, digital transformation and culture.

The company said he is the current chairman of Screen Australia, a former Telstra executive and CEO of SBS. In 2017, he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) for services to broadcast media and multicultural affairs.

“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the firm’s continued success and work with the board. A significant portion of our economy relies on KPMG in some way, and its purpose and vision really resonate with me,” he said.