KPMG New Zealand appoints Nick Swallow to lead growing ESG initiative for private businesses

KPMG New Zealand has announced that Nick Swallow has joined the advisory and accounting firm as Director in its Private Enterprise division. Nick’s focus is on guiding private businesses on their Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) strategy, working with KPMG’s IMPACT team, which helps organisations be more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and focused on their impact.

KPMG Private Enterprise is the firm’s division dedicated to supporting and growing private businesses, which make up over 95% of New Zealand businesses.

Prior to KPMG, Nick was the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Trade Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, where he was responsible for promoting and facilitating trade opportunities and strategic relationships for New Zealand businesses in the region. In London, he established support for New Zealand exporters to thrive by understanding European sustainability requirements and market demand. Nick has also served as NZTE’s regional director for South America.

Nick graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biochemistry and genetics; he holds a postgraduate degree in management and is completing a Master of Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on ESG strategy in New Zealand SMEs, purpose-led business leadership, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in dairy farming.

KPMG IMPACT has seen an increased demand for ESG solutions from private enterprises. “We’re seeing a shift in mindset. Private enterprises now face similar challenges in meeting consumer and society’s expectations and building more resilient businesses. These organisations are already very adaptable, and many see the benefits of operating beyond business as usual. Collectively this will make a big impact, and I’m excited to lead our initiative to support businesses building a thriving and sustainable economy,” says Nick.

National Managing Partner Jon Holmes adds, “Our insights also show that next-generation family business members are asking more questions like, ‘how can we use our wealth to also improve society?’ and this rhetoric is being amplified rapidly.

Nick is well-positioned to be a leader in this space. He is an accomplished management and sustainability professional and is recognised as such. We are pleased to add such talent to our team as we continue to deliver on our purpose of fuelling prosperity for all New Zealanders.”

KPMG Private Enterprise is here for those businesses that make up 95% of New Zealand’s businesses – our small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Fuelling prosperity for New Zealand means helping private businesses become stronger and more efficient, enabling them to achieve their goals and aspirations.

From entrepreneurs, next global tech start-ups to family businesses looking to protect their legacy, KPMG Private Enterprise helps business owners to drive success at every stage of their journey. We’re accounting experts and business builders. Our Advisory team know how high-performing businesses work, and we will help unlock your full potential.

KPMG IMPACT is a whole-of-firm approach to positively impact the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Helping organisations be sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and focused on their impact, it brings to life five focus areas to help Māori, public, and private sector organisations drive positive social and environmental outcomes for all New Zealanders:

• ESG and Sustainability
• Economic and Social Development
• Sustainable Finance
• Measurement, Assurance, and Reporting
• Climate Change and Decarbonisation