NAO comptroller appointed

A former global managing partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers has been appointed comptroller and auditor general at the National Audit Office.

Amyas Morse will succeed current C&AG Tim Burr at the watchdog, subject to approval by the House of Commons.

He will take up the role once Parliamentary time has been found to pass the government’s constitutional renewal bill placing reforms of NAO governance on a statutory basis.

His appointment comes amid growing concern over delays to the legislative timetable for reforming how the NAO is run. In 2007, Sir John Bourn stepped down as C&AG after an expenses scandal.

Morse’s appointment follows a selection process chaired by Commons Public Accounts Committee chairman Edward Leigh, including Treasury chief Sir Nicholas Macpherson, Sir Andrew Likierman, recently appointed NAO board chairman elect, and Burr.

Leigh said: “The position of comptroller and auditor general is hugely important. Its independence is supported by the requirement for a nominee to be agreed by both the Prime Minister and the chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, who is always from the opposition.’