New chair at Deloitte Australia, John Greig to replace Tom Imbesi

Deloitte Australia has appointed longstanding director John Greig to succeed Tom Imbesi as chair of the audit and consulting giant.

Incoming Chair of Deloitte Australia John Greig. Photo: Supplied

Deloitte Australia has announced longstanding director John Greig will succeed Tom Imbesi as chair of the audit and consulting giant.

The professional services giant said Mr Greig would take on the top job at Deloitte from June 1 after more than 40 years at the firm.

The Queensland-based partner, who previously managed the firm in the Sunshine State, will succeed Mr Imbesi after the current chair retires from the board on May 31 after serving his maximum term.

Mr Greig thanks Mr Imbesi “for his outstanding leadership and oversight of the firm” after taking on the chair role seven years ago.

“He successfully navigated the firm through one of our most challenging times during the Covid pandemic and he continues to lead the firm with distinction,” he said.

Mr Imbesi, a career auditor, took on the top job at the firm in May 2017, after a stint as Victorian managing partner.

Mr Greig takes on the top job after a long career at the audit and consulting giant, working on several major deals as a turnaround and restructuring specialist.

This saw Mr Greig take a leading role on the restructure and sale of Virgin Australia after the airline slipped into insolvency in the pandemic.

Mr Greig, who was Deloitte’s Queensland practice managing partner for nine years, has been a partner at the firm for over 30 years.

The career consultant also launched Brisbane live music venue The Triffid in 2017.

“I’m honoured to have been elected incoming Chair of Deloitte Australia at a pivotal time for professional services,” Mr Greig said

“The Board’s role is to provide robust governance over our firm and set the tone to maintain and enhance the trust of our internal and external stakeholders.”

Mr Greig takes on the role as the consulting and audit sectors face heavy public scrutiny in the wake of scandals at PwC Australia after revelations the firm misused confidential government information in its tax practice.

This saw PwC’s chief executive Tom Seymour resign, with several members of the firm’s governance board including its chair following.

In an email to staff Mr Imbesi noted they took “no joy” from the tax scandal.

But Deloitte and its rivals have been key winners from the damage to the PwC brand, with the Big Four rival shedding its entire government consulting arm and losing several key private sector contracts.

Mr Greig said he was keen to “work closely with my fellow board members to help guide the firm through this period of significant change”.

Originally published as New chair at Deloitte Australia, John Greig to replace Tom Imbesi