KPMG's general counsel also resigning amid whistleblower scandal
KPMG's HR chief is stepping down from her role as the leadership exodus at the embattled consulting giant continues in the wake of an audit leak scandal.
Dorothy Hisgrove, who is KPMG Australia's national managing partner for people and inclusion, has resigned from the firm, with the search for her successor to begin.
CEO John Sams announced Hisgrove's departure to employees on Tuesday, saying it has always been part of her plans to retire.
"Dorothy has always planned to retire from the partnership in early 2027. Dorothy is supporting us with this process and will remain in her role until we appoint a successor," Sams said as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Hisgrove's upcoming departure comes amid strong criticism on her department for their handling and treatment of the whistleblower and his concerns, the Australian Financial Review reported.
According to the AFR, Hisgrove pushed for the fines to be ordered and upheld for three partners who were found to have misused client data. However, her department failed to deliver an independent investigation into the whistleblower's claims that he had been bullied and victimised after raising concerns to the company.
Leadership exodus at KPMG Australia
Hisgrove's upcoming departure is announced alongside the exit of KPMG Australia's general counsel, Louise Capon.
Capon, who has been with KPMG for a decade, is also stepping down from her position in the company's executive committee.
"I have asked Louise to remain with us for a period to ensure the smooth handover of the important work she is doing on multiple fronts and support the orderly transition of her responsibilities. Louise will step down from the [executive committee] immediately," Sams said as quoted by the Herald.
Capon, in an email reported by the AFR, told her team that she feels "privileged" to lead them.
"In the face of the current challenges, we play such an important role and you should feel proud of the contribution we make every day. This is not farewell," the departing executive said.
The exits of Hisgrove and Capon add to the growing leadership exodus at KPMG Australia, which saw the departures of CEO Andrew Yates, chairman Martin Sheppard, and audit partners Kim Lawry, Paul Rogers, and Julian McPherson.
Paul Low, KPMG's chief risk officer, also stepped down from his role but will remain with the firm.
KPMG's global leadership had reportedly taken steps to intervene in the departures, according to previous reports, amid concerns that the company would be unable to meet its obligations to major clients.
Meanwhile, the departures also come as KPMG prepares for another round of public hearings related to its whistleblower scandal this week.
