The board of PwC New Zealand has appointed Andrew Holmes as chief executive and senior partner from April 1, 2024, for an initial four-year term. He will succeed Mark Averill, who retires from the firm when his tenure as CEO and senior partner ends on March 31, 2024, following a career with PwC spanning 33 years.
Holmes is the managing partner of PwC New Zealand’s risk services practice and the PwC Asia Pacific data assurance leader. In these roles, and in his time spent with PwC in New York, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, London, and South Africa, he has worked with a wide range of clients, including major multinationals, telecommunications, and digital players. Holmes has more than 25 years’ experience supporting clients to achieve better business outcomes through understanding their strategies and how they can respond to and mitigate related risks.
He is passionate about the business reinvention opportunities that the unprecedented rate of technological change presents, both for clients and the company.
Holmes said: “I am humbled to lead PwC New Zealand and thrilled to have this opportunity. It means leading a talented and diverse team ... Many of the changes our firm and our clients will face will be caused and resolved by technology. Our role is to help our communities face into this change and prosper.”
PwC New Zealand chair Keren Blakey said: “I am excited for this next phase of leadership at the firm ... Andrew has a track record of leading successful teams and helping our clients navigate this environment ... I’m looking forward to working with Mark and Andrew on the CEO transition over the next few months.”
Reflecting on his time as CEO and senior partner, Averill said feels incredibly privileged to have led the firm: “It has been an absolute honour to serve as CEO for the past seven years. Looking back, I am incredibly proud of the path we have taken to grow and transform our firm, where we have continued to invest in our people, capabilities and technology. I believe this has enabled us to respond to the evolving needs and expectations of our clients and stakeholders.”
Blakey said: “Mark has been an outstanding leader of PwC New Zealand, at a time when he has had to navigate significant change and disruption, including the pandemic. Before taking on the CEO role, Mark was instrumental in establishing and growing our mergers and acquisitions business and in leading our corporate finance and deals team, achieving significant growth while also building a market-leading and high performing group. As a result of Mark’s leadership and significant contribution, over many years, we are a much stronger firm and are well positioned for the future.”
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