KPMG Australia appoints new CEO Sams amid fallout from scandal

KPMG Australia has appointed Chief Financial Officer John Sams as its new head, as the arm of the global audit and consulting giant attempts to steer through a scandal that has rocked the firm.

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Sams was selected as the firm’s chief executive officer effective immediately by the board, after a search across its international network, externally and within the Australian business, KPMG said in a statement. Sams replaces interim CEO Stan Stavros, who took over from Andrew Yates after he stepped down amid allegations the company accessed confidential client information in an effort to win audit work.

Sams has been KPMG Australia’s CFO since October 2025 and chief operating officer since June 2026, as well as a partner at KPMG for over a decade, the company said.

“I do not underestimate the task ahead but commit to our clients and people that I am prepared to be courageous, take the tough decisions and lead the changes we need to set us on the right path,” Sams said. “The firm fell short of the standards rightly expected of us, and the accountability for these failures will continue to be implemented.”