KPMG names new CEO
Firm announces Colin Cook will become CEO, taking over from John Griffith-Jones
KPMG has named Colin Cook as its new UK CEO. He will succeed John
Griffith-Jones who becomes senior partner, taking over from Mike Rake, on
October 1, 2006.
Cook has a background in corporate finance work at KPMG, having worked on
deals such as the merger of AstraZeneca, the Vodafone-Mannesmann transaction and
the RBS-NatWest takeover.
He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1979 and joined KPMG in 1980,
becoming a partner in 1990. He was European head of KPMG’s transaction services
practice from 1998 until 2004, when he was appointed CEO of KPMG’s UK tax and
people services practice.
Cook said of his appointment: ‘I am looking forward to the challenges of my
new role and will pursue our strategy of investing in our people and expanding
the range and quality of our services.’
His predecessor John Griffith-Jones added: ‘I am delighted that Colin will be
KPMG’s next chief executive officer. He has done an excellent job as CEO of tax
and people services and I am sure he will help to lead KPMG from strength to
strength.’