EY’s Leading Ladies…
EY, one of the “Big Four” audit firms, has shortlisted three candidates for the role of UK and Ireland managing partner. Notably, two of the three candidates are female leaders, highlighting a potential shift towards greater gender diversity at the firm’s top levels. Partners were reportedly briefed earlier this week that the successor to Hywel Ball, the current managing partner, will be chosen from Anna Anthony, managing partner for UK financial services, Kath Barrow, UK and Ireland assurance managing partner, and Stuart Gregory, UK and Ireland managing partner for finance and transformation.
This decision comes as part of EY’s compliance with the revised governance code established by the Financial Reporting Council, the UK’s audit regulator. This updated code mandates the separation of the roles of chair and managing partner, a change that aligns with EY’s broader governance strategy. The selection process is being managed by an elected partner forum, composed of twelve representatives, who will effectively be responsible for nominating the next managing partner. A separate selection process will be conducted to appoint a new chair.
Hywel Ball, whose term as managing partner has been extended twice, announced in June his intention to “hand on the baton,” signalling the firm’s readiness for a leadership transition. Ball’s tenure has been marked by efforts to steer EY through a challenging period, including the recent abandonment of the ambitious Project Everest—a plan to split the firm’s auditing and consulting divisions into separate entities. This decision followed internal and external pressures, as well as strategic considerations about the firm’s future direction.
EY has stated, “We have exceptional leaders across our business and have a comprehensive process, run by our elected partner forum, to select the next EY UK and Ireland managing partner.” The firm, which employs 400,000 people across 150 countries and reported revenues of $50 billion in 2023, has been navigating a complex landscape of regulatory changes and market pressures. The appointment of a new managing partner comes at a crucial juncture as EY continues to strengthen its governance and leadership frameworks.
This latest move also reflects EY’s ongoing commitment to enhancing gender diversity within its leadership ranks. Despite having a global leader, Janet Truncale, appointed last year, the UK arm of EY—the second-largest in its international network—has never had a female chief executive. With Anna Anthony and Kath Barrow in the running, the firm could soon make history by appointing its first female managing partner in the UK and Ireland.
As the selection process unfolds, the appointment of EY’s new managing partner will be closely watched, not just within the firm, but across the professional services industry. The outcome could set a precedent for other firms in the sector, emphasizing the importance of gender diversity and strong governance in leadership roles.
