I have over 30 years' experience of public audit, including over 15 years as engagement lead.
I have recently chaired our public sector assurance board, whose remit includes: development of the firm's local public audit approach and accompanied specialist public sector audit training; overseeing quality and technical arrangements; and leading the firm's arrangements for professional training in the public sector. I also chair our national consistency panel for VFM conclusions and am lead partner for our national challenge (public rights) arrangements.
I lead our local public audit relationships with a number of external bodies, including FRC, Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd, the National Audit Office, DCLG and CIPFA and I am the firm's nominated audit compliance principal for our public audit registration with the ICAEW. I am the firm's qualified person responsible for training for our national arrangements with CIPFA and am the public sector representative on the firm's Audit Faculty Board of its Business School.
Previously, I was an accredited Audit Commission Inspector and have been involved as a finance specialist on corporate governance inspections. I am currently an accredited peer reviewer for the Local Government Association.
I lead our firm’s public policy function for audit - this involves leading our consultation and relationship with external stakeholders of the firm. I am currently leading and developing our response to the various public reviews of the future of audit including the Kingman Review of the FRC, the CMA Statutory Audit Market Study and the Brydon Review into the quality and effectiveness of audit.
From 1 July 2018 I was proud to be appointed as the first public sector accountant to be the head of assurance at a major accountancy firm. Through this role I lead the strategic development of audit for the UK national firm and lead our relationship with the FRC and the ICAEW. I represent Grant Thornton UK LLP on our global audit strategy board and have been instrumental in leading the firm’s current audit market reform strategy, liaising with regulators, MPs, the media and the international assurance community.