KPMG Australia on Thursday named former public service broadcaster SBS boss Michael Ebeid as its first independent chairman, as the firm battles a scandal over whistleblower allegations that staff misused confidential information to win audit work.
The appointment comes a week after KPMG said its chairman and two senior partners would leave the firm following whistleblower allegations it misused confidential board papers from real estate company Lendlease ASX:LLC to support bids for major audit tenders.
KPMG has admitted mishandling the complaint and launched a fourth investigation after three previous probes failed to substantiate wrongdoing.