PricewaterhouseCoopers has re-jigged its management structure in a bid to drive for higher profitability.

Described as a ‘tightening’ of its structure by sources at the firm, assurance head Glyn Barker and advisory boss Keith Tilson have been appointed as managing partners, reporting to chairman Kieran Poynter.

Poynter said the moves would ‘drive continuing progress in our business and profitability’.

Barker is responsible for assurance, tax and advisory, while Tilson heads up finance, operations, human capital, partner matters, risk management and compliance.

Board members Rodger Hughes and John Berriman will move onto senior client roles within the firm as part of the shakeup.

The changes are just the latest moves by the Big Four as they look to freshen up their senior teams.

New Ernst & Young chairman Mark Otty named an eight-strong leadership team, including a role for Victoria Cochrane, the firm’s general counsel during the Equitable Life court case.

Sue Bonney was appointed the first female head of tax of a Big Four firm, at KPMG ­ and was joined by Ashley Steel as its new head of infrastructure. They will report to new senior partner John Griffith-Jones.