PwC New Zealand announces new CEO

1 December 2023

The Board of PwC New Zealand is delighted to announce Andrew Holmes will become CEO and Senior Partner from 1 April 2024 for an initial four-year term. He will succeed Mark Averill, who retires from the firm when his tenure as CEO and Senior Partner ends on 31 March 2024, following a career with PwC spanning 33 years. 

Andrew is the Managing Partner of PwC New Zealand’s Risk Services practice and the PwC Asia Pacific Data Assurance Leader. In these roles, and in his time spent with PwC in New York, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, London and South Africa, he has worked with a wide range of clients, including major multinationals, telecommunications and digital players. Andrew has more than 25 years' experience supporting clients to achieve better business outcomes through understanding their strategies and how they can respond to and mitigate related risks.

He is passionate about the business reinvention opportunities that the unprecedented rate of technological change presents, both for our clients and PwC New Zealand. 

Andrew says, “I am humbled to lead PwC New Zealand and thrilled to have this opportunity. It means leading a talented and diverse team as they work alongside New Zealand businesses to solve some of their most complex problems and help them thrive in an environment of disruption. Many of the changes our firm and our clients will face will be caused and resolved by technology. Our role is to help our communities face into this change and prosper.”

PwC New Zealand Chair Keren Blakey says, “I am excited for this next phase of leadership at the firm. It comes at a time when Aotearoa leans into a new era of change, with rising stakeholder expectations and converging megatrends reshaping the way we do things. Andrew has a track record of leading successful teams and helping our clients navigate this environment. His appointment highlights our evolution as a firm and the commitment we have to building a successful future for all New Zealanders.

“I’m looking forward to working with Mark and Andrew on the CEO transition over the next few months.”

Reflecting on his time as CEO and Senior Partner, Mark says he has, and continues to, feel incredibly privileged to lead the firm. He has enjoyed it immensely and remains focused on leading the firm for the next four months.

“It has been an absolute honour to serve as CEO for the past seven years. Looking back, I am incredibly proud of the path we have taken to grow and transform our firm, where we have continued to invest in our people, capabilities and technology. I believe this has enabled us to respond to the evolving needs and expectations of our clients and stakeholders.”

“Mark has been an outstanding leader of PwC New Zealand, at a time when he has had to navigate significant change and disruption, including the pandemic. Before taking on the CEO role, Mark was instrumental in establishing and growing our Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) business and in leading our Corporate Finance and Deals team, achieving significant growth while also building a market-leading and high performing group. As a result of Mark’s leadership and significant contribution, over many years, we are a much stronger firm and are well positioned for the future,” says Keren. 

(Left to right - Mark Averill, Andrew Holmes, Keren Blakey)

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The CEO and Territory Senior Partner of PwC New Zealand is elected by the PwC New Zealand partnership for an initial four year term. The maximum tenure for the role is two terms.

PwC New Zealand employs over 1,700 people and has offices in the Auckland, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Canterbury regions. Find out more at www.pwc.co.nz.

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