KPMG Australia Appoints John Sams as Chief Executive

KPMG Australia appointed John Sams as its new chief executive on July 21, 2026. Sams, the former chief financial officer and chief operating officer, succeeds interim chief executive Stan Stavros. The appointment follows a whistleblower scandal involving the alleged use of confidential client information to secure auditing contracts, which triggered the May resignation of Andrew Yates and the late June departures of Chairman Martin Sheppard and two audit partners.

Sams intends to implement a governance and integrity action plan introduced in June and will engage with regulators and a parliamentary committee. He has committed to taking tough decisions to set the firm on the right path, acknowledging that the organization fell short of expected standards.

Independent Chairman Michael Ebeid AM stated that the board has mandated Sams to strengthen leadership, culture, and confidence among clients and government entities. Ebeid noted that the board believes Sams possesses the agility, courage, and integrity required to lead the firm successfully.