Why did the KPMG Australia chair and partners resign?

The leadership team at KPMG resigned because an audit leaks scandal emerged involving the misuse of sensitive client information and unethical behaviour.

What is the financial and market impact on KPMG Australia?

There is no public share market impact because KPMG operates as an unlisted private partnership. The firm has not disclosed any immediate financial penalties, but it has appointed an independent third party to review its internal governance.

How many executive roles were affected by the leadership overhaul at KPMG Australia?

A total of three senior leadership roles were affected by the immediate departures at KPMG. National chairman Martin Sheppard and senior audit partners Paul Rogers and Eileen Hoggett are all leaving the firm.

What is the timeline for the independent governance review at KPMG Australia?

KPMG has initiated the independent third-party investigation immediately following the parliamentary committee findings. The outgoing partners will remain with the business for a short, unspecified transition period to assist with a smooth handover.

What does this leadership change mean for the long-term strategy of KPMG Australia?

The departures mean that KPMG is restructuring its governance to implement an independent chair and rebuild community trust. The firm stated that it is actively searching for a permanent chief executive officer to guide its long-term cultural transformation.

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KPMG Australia chair, two partners resign over scandal

Written by Isaac FrancisPublished Jun 23, 2026, 2:33 AM

KPMG Australia chair Martin Sheppard and two senior audit partners have resigned following an investigation into the misuse of sensitive client information.
As a private partnership, the leadership overhaul does not directly impact public equity markets, but an independent third party has been appointed to review the firm's internal governance.
The firm stated that the departures are part of an immediate strategy to rebuild public trust and address unethical behaviour highlighted by a parliamentary committee.

KPMG Australia restructured its leadership team after an audit leaks scandal resulted in the resignation of its chair and 2 senior partners.

The sudden departures follow a parliamentary enquiry that exposed unethical behaviour and criticised the firm's handling of an internal whistleblower.

“We did not meet the standards expected of us, and we recognise the impact this has had on the whistleblower, our people, our clients and the community,” said KPMG interim CEO Stan Stavros.

The firm stated that senior audit partners Paul Rogers and Eileen Hoggett will join Martin Sheppard in leaving the business shortly to assist with a smooth handover period.

An independent third-party investigator will now review the governance failures that led to the leak of sensitive client information.

The group is also actively searching for a permanent CEO to guide its long-term cultural transformation.