Audit Commission names Gareth Davies in crucial MD role

Gareth Davies is the new managing director of the audit practice at the Audit Commission.

In this crucial role he will lead its audit staff as they prepare to compete in an open market for local public audit, potentially as an employee-owned business.

There have been suggestions that the commission could evolve into a employee-owned or mutual audit organisation to serve the new market.

"We want to ensure that councils, foundation trusts and other local public services are offered a distinctive alternative to the major audit firms. Our experience of competing successfully for foundation trust audits since 2005 shows that there is a strong demand for unrivalled specialist sector expertise at a competitive price," said Davies.

He starts work straight away on preparing the organisation for this major transition.

CIPFA-qualified Davies has 23 years’ experience of public audit, has been the Commission’s MD for Local Government, Housing and Community Safety since 2007.

Prior to this he was a district auditor with a portfolio of audits in Yorkshire, including large local authorities and NHS bodies. His public audit career has also included assignments in London and the South East.

Further reading:

Firms eye up Audit Commission work