FlexCareers partner KPMG Australia announces appointment of first female Chair

FlexCareers partner KPMG Australia announces appointment of first female Chair Supplied KPMG Australia Big 4 consulting firm and FlexCareers client KPMG yesterday announced the appointment of Alison Kitchen as its new National Chair. This is another huge step forward for Australia, particularly in an industry where men still dominate senior positions.  Ms Kitchen joins a growing number of female leaders within professional services, including Deloitte CEO Cindy Hook, who was appointed to her role in 2015.   She takes over from Peter Nash, current National Chairman of KPMG Australia, on September 1st, 2017. “Alison is well known and respected by Boards and CEOs across Australia as a leader and effective decision maker,” Nash says. Alison Kitchen has led numerous major global KPMG accounts spanning energy and resources, and financial services.  Senior roles have included Leader of KPMG’s National Energy and Resources practice in Australia, and Member of the global KPMG Energy and Resources Executive. “I have boundless energy and enthusiasm for the Chair role, and I could not be more pleased and excited by this opportunity,” said Alison, who has previously served as a Board member of KPMG Australia and is a proud and active Member of Chief Executive Women, with a particular focus on championing future women leaders. Recognised as an  Employer of Choice for Women by the  Workforce Gender Equality Agency for 10 consecutive years, KPMG was one of the first organisations to publicly announce its gender diversity targets and, in 2014, CEO  Gary Wingrove became a founding member of the  Male Champions of Change. This authentic and visible commitment to gender diversity is supported by a range of benefits and services to support its employees balance work and home life in a way that suits them. This includes: Emergency / Ad-Hoc Child Care Pre-Parental Leave Return-to-work workshops Access to reference tools, parent’s forums and seminars School Holiday Programs Online services to source childcare and eldercare Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave for primary carers Up to 3 weeks leave for non-primary carers In August 2016, KPMG announced an ambitious gender diversity target of 30% women in Partnership by December 2020. FlexCareers is delighted to have the opportunity to support KMPG meet this target. Click here to find out more about KPMG and browse available jobs: https://www.flexcareers.com.au/employers/kpmg