RSM Australia has announced a new round of senior leadership changes for 2026, comprising partner and director appointments.
The firm said the group includes three externally recruited leaders who have already joined, while eight roles are filled through internal advancement, with most of those changes effective from 1 January 2026.
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RSM Australia chief executive partner Robert Miano described the appointments as aligned with staffing development and business planning.
Internal partner appointments include Jie Dong, appointed audit and assurance partner in Sydney, and Liam Telford, appointed tax technical Partner in Perth.
Internal director appointments include Joel Ashworth as business advisory director in Brisbane; Tristan Hedley as tax advisory director across Brisbane and Sydney; Daniel O’Loughlin as business advisory director in Fremantle; and Claudia Youngman as the director in Canberra.
Further internal director appointments are Louis Carney as tax advisory director in Brisbane and Stephanie Gudzoski as audit and assurance director in Melbourne.
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By GlobalDataExternal hires include Eckard Bergh, who joined as audit and assurance partner in Sydney.
Two director appointments have also been made through recruitment: Ben Carson as restructuring & insolvency director in Sydney and Shaun La Motte as business advisory director in Melbourne.
Miano said: “Supporting the career development of our internal staff is a key priority for the firm, and it’s pleasing to see talented team members rewarded and recognised within the business.
“Four of the 11 leaders promoted started their careers as graduates with RSM and are now an integral part of our Audit & Assurance, International Tax & Transfer Pricing and Business Advisory teams.”
He also referred to the firm’s approach to hiring from outside the business.
“The recruitment of Eckard Bergh from RSM South Africa, with 17 years’ experience with an RSM firm, and the internal promotion of Jie Dong demonstrates our strategic investment in the Sydney market and highlights our commitment to developing talent within both the Australian practice and our extensive international pool of experts.”
RSM said the internal promotions include three tax specialists: Liam Telford, Louis Carney and Tristan Hedley.
