Former BDO International chief executive
Jeremy Newman has been named preferred candidate for the role of
chairman of the UK Audit Commission (AC) board, and is set to
oversee the closing of the UK government’s public audit
service.
Newman is to appear at a pre-appointment
hearing in front of the local government select committee next
week, which will formally confirm his appointment.
The UK government announced it was to abolish
the AC in 2010, citing savings of up to £50m ($80.2m) a year
in costs as the main reason for the decision.
Since then, efforts have been underway to
tender the AC’s work to the private sector and to transfer its
functions to the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors.
Newman left BDO International a year ago to
pursue a career in the public sector.
Earlier this year he worked as an independent
advisor for troubled RSM Tenon following the announcement of
substantial losses for the firm.
