E&Y Brussels partner to head up EMEIA policy group

Ernst & Young has appointed Brussels-based partner Jeremy Jennings as head of the firm's regulatory and public policy activities across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA).

Jennings, who joined E&Y in 2002, is currently also chairman of the European Contact Group, a grouping of the six largest accounting firms who meet regularly to confer common positions on public policy affecting the firms.

He is familiar with networking roles – as he currently serves as vice-president and treasurer of the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe – and will continue to build relationships with EU institutions in Brussels but will extend his focus to the broader international regulatory community in the EMEIA region.

Jennings' role comes at a time in which the profession faces challenges around implementation of the EU Statutory Audit Directive as well as ongoing discussions aimed at achieving a limited liability regime for auditors, and the introduction of independent auditor oversight.

'My team and I are looking forward to continuing EY leadership in working closely with regulators and policy makers in Brussels and across the EMEIA area on agreeing solutions to these challenges, to help support the continued vibrancy and relevance of the accounting profession to the global capital markets,' said Jennings.