KPMG International has tapped Bill Thomas as its new global chairman, succeeding John Veihmeyer on the completion of his term on Oct. 1, 2017.
Thomas, 49, was elected by KPMG International's Global Council. He has been chairman of KPMG's Americas region since 2014 and a member of the firm's Global Board since 2009. Before that, he was CEO and senior partner of KPMG in Canada from 2009 to 2016. He has worked 28 years for KPMG, holding other leadership roles in the Canadian firm and within KPMG International.
Veihmeyer, 61, will be completing his term as chairman and retiring from the firm at the end of September 2017. He was previously in charge of the U.S. firm, which is now helmed by chairman and CEO Lynn Doughtie. Veihmeyer became chairman of the international firm when Michael Andrew fell ill in 2014.
"I am extremely proud to announce that Bill Thomas has been elected to succeed me as Chairman of KPMG International,” Veihmeyer said in a statement. “Bill brings an exceptional range of skills and experience that will benefit KPMG and the clients our professionals serve. As leader of KPMG's Americas region and the Canadian firm, Bill has an outstanding leadership record of quality growth, innovation and collaboration. But what distinguishes Bill most are his qualities of integrity, sincerity, passion and personal commitment. I'm confident that Bill's authentic leadership will bring tremendous value to KPMG, our people and to clients.”
"It is a great honor to be elected Chairman of KPMG International,” Thomas said in a statement. “John Veihmeyer has been an exceptional leader and role model, who has strengthened KPMG immensely with his commitment to quality and integrity, and his focus on the culture of our global organization. I intend to build on the foundation John has put in place, and help KPMG's 190,000 professionals around the world to fulfill their potential and bring their best in meeting the rapidly expanding needs of clients. I'm convinced the next few years will be among the most dynamic our profession has ever seen, and I'm excited about the opportunities that are in front of KPMG."
