Professional services firm KPMG has announced the forthcoming appointment of Catherine Burnet to lead its business in Scotland, replacing Craig Anderson who will be retiring at the end of September following a 37-year career with the firm.
Edinburgh-based Catherine, who has been a partner since 2009, takes on the role at a time of growth for KPMG, whose employee numbers in Scotland are at a record high.
Catherine is the head of KPMG’s Financial Services team in Scotland, and has a career spanning more than 20 years with the firm.
She joined in 1994 in Edinburgh, before moving to London in 1997 and then completed a two-year secondment to the United States from 2009-11. She returned to Edinburgh in 2011 where she has led teams for many well-known financial services institutions. Catherine is also a member of the ICAS council and the FiSAB.
She will become regional chair in October and is believed to be the first female senior partner of a Big Four accountancy firm in Scotland.
Simon Collins, UK Chairman of KPMG, commented:
“Catherine has an enviable reputation in the financial services industry, having worked with investment managers, traditional major banks and the new breed of challenger banks. Financial services is under-going substantial transformation at rapid pace and our Scottish practice will benefit from the experience, leadership and agility that Catherine has built up in her client work.
“I would also like to thank Craig Anderson for his strong leadership and great market presence. He has steered our Scottish practice through both benign and volatile market conditions and will be greatly missed.”
Catherine Burnet added:
“It is an exciting time to take over the leadership of such a talented team, against the backdrop of significant changes in the Scottish economy and society.
“We are continually investing in our business to ensure the level of expertise and service meets the needs of our colleagues and our clients. As a firm we are fortunate to support some of Scotland’s most influential and fastest-growing companies, as well as important civic bodies.
“Despite continued change, Scotland has become quick to respond to challenges and exploit opportunities domestically and internationally. I am looking forward to working with our clients as they seize the opportunities and navigate the challenges posed by change.”
Craig Anderson said:
“I have been privileged throughout my career to work with some inspirational colleagues and clients, as the firm has grown and our services have developed. A particular highlight has been the location of KPMG’s UK Tax Centre of Excellence and Small Business Accounting teams in Glasgow, which contributes to the number of people employed by the firm in Scotland, recently rising to more than 850 – the highest ever.
“Catherine is a fantastic appointment. She is an outstanding professional with significant international experience. She is truly client focused with a terrific track record in fostering talent.”
Catherine Burnet (45) lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two sons. She is a graduate of the University of St Andrews.
Craig joined Peat Marwick (which later merged with KMG to become KPMG) in 1979 after graduating from the University of Glasgow. He was made a partner in 1990 at the age of 31, before being announced as the regional chair for Scotland in 2004 while heading the firm’s Scottish Transaction Services team.