KPMG Australia appoints John Sams as Chief Executive Officer

The Board of KPMG Australia has appointed John Sams as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

The decision follows a rigorous process, with assessment overseen by a panel comprising Mike Ebeid AM, Jennifer Westacott AC and Kerry Schott AO. Candidates were considered from within KPMG Australia, across the international network and externally.

John has been Chief Financial Officer since October 2025 and additionally Chief Operating Officer since June 2026. He has been a Partner at KPMG for over a decade.

He has more than 20 years’ experience across tax, corporate finance and infrastructure advisory. John began his career with KPMG UK before relocating to Australia, where he built deep expertise providing commercial and financial advice on major infrastructure projects before leading an infrastructure business and becoming CFO.

Independent Chairman Michael Ebeid AM said: “The Board believes that John has the strong attributes required to be the firm’s successful leader – including agility, courage and integrity. John has a clear mandate from the Board: to strengthen leadership and culture, improve confidence with our people, clients, regulators, government and the Parliament, and focus KPMG on the areas where it can make the greatest contribution to our clients, people and stakeholders.

“John has the Board’s full support to decisively deliver the Action Plan, announced in June to address governance and integrity issues and build a stronger, more accountable firm.”

John Sams said: “I do not underestimate the task ahead but commit to our clients and people that I am prepared to be courageous, take the tough decisions and lead the changes we need to set us on the right path. The firm fell short of the standards rightly expected of us, and the accountability for these failures will continue to be implemented. We have serious work to do on our culture, our leadership and our governance and it will take resolve and endurance.

“Despite everything we have faced so far, I am optimistic about the future otherwise I would never have taken on this role. While the challenges are real, so too are the strengths of this firm and I am equally clear about the opportunities to strengthen KPMG for the future.”

“I will lead the changes that will make us better, whatever that takes. My immediate focus is to provide confidence to our clients and people. I will provide clear leadership, deliver the Action Plan in full, make measurable progress on culture, integrity and transparency, and support our people through the change ahead. We will continue to engage openly and constructively with the Parliamentary Joint Committee and our regulators.”

Mr Ebeid said: “On behalf of the Board, I thank Stan for stepping into the Interim CEO role at a very difficult time. He did so without hesitation, reflecting his deep commitment to the firm, our clients and our people. We are grateful for his service and wish him well for the future.”

KPMG Australia Action Plan

The KPMG Australia Action Plan can be read here.