C-Suite Shakeup: KPMG’s New Appointments Signal Aggressive Global Advisory & AI Strategy

In a world defined by relentless technological change and economic volatility, leading professional services firms are facing a critical imperative: evolve or risk irrelevance. KPMG International, a global leader in audit, tax, and advisory services, is making a bold strategic move to meet this challenge head-on. The firm recently announced the appointment of two seasoned leaders, Rob Fisher and Steve Chase, to pivotal new roles aimed at reshaping its global advisory business and accelerating its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy.

These appointments are more than just a change in personnel; they represent a significant step in KPMG’s Collective Strategy to embed AI at the core of its operations and client service delivery. For CEOs, CFOs, and investors, this move signals a clear intent to dominate a future where the value of advisory services is intrinsically tied to data-driven insights and AI-powered solutions.

The New Vanguard: Rob Fisher at the Helm of Global Advisory

Taking the reins as KPMG’s Global Head of Advisory, Rob Fisher steps into a role that puts him at the nexus of a business with more than 100,000 professionals. Fisher’s mandate is clear: guide this vast network to deliver high-impact solutions for clients, foster a culture of innovation, and maintain the highest standards of quality across the globe.

His appointment is a testament to his three-decade career, marked by a deep understanding of complex business challenges and a proven track record of leading large-scale transformations. In his previous roles, including as Vice Chair of Advisory at KPMG in the US, Fisher was instrumental in expanding the firm’s risk and regulatory practice, providing new, critical solutions to clients navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. His background in technology-led transformations positions him perfectly to lead the advisory business into an era where digital tools are no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Fisher succeeds Carl Carande, who is retiring after a distinguished 25-year career at KPMG. Carande’s legacy includes the significant expansion of the firm’s consulting and deal advisory services, the growth of its risk consulting practice, and the development of its strategic alliance ecosystem. Fisher’s challenge—and opportunity—is to build on this solid foundation, leveraging his own expertise to further integrate technology and innovation into every facet of the advisory business.

Powering the Pivot: Steve Chase Leads AI and Digital Innovation

Complementing Fisher’s appointment is the expanded role of Steve Chase as Global Head of AI and Digital Innovation. Chase’s appointment underscores KPMG’s commitment to not just adopting AI but leading with it. His mission is to scale the firm’s AI-enabled client solutions and accelerate its internal transformation, ensuring KPMG remains a leader in responsible and impactful innovation.

Chase brings over two decades of experience in consulting and executive leadership, with a sharp focus on technology and business transformation. As Vice Chair of AI and Digital Innovation at KPMG in the US for the past two years, he has already made a significant impact. He led the firm’s enterprise-wide integration of AI, spearheaded the scaling of AI adoption to drive growth, and fortified strategic alliances with tech giants like Google and Microsoft. These alliances are crucial, as they provide the underlying infrastructure and technological backbone for KPMG’s own AI platforms.

Chase succeeds David Rowlands, the firm’s first-ever Global Head of AI, whose pioneering efforts were instrumental in integrating AI across KPMG’s service delivery. Chase’s expanded role signals a move from foundational integration to an aggressive scaling strategy. His leadership will be critical in translating the promise of AI into tangible business value for KPMG’s clients and its own operations.

The Convergence of Strategy and Technology

The dual appointments of Fisher and Chase are a powerful signal to the market. They highlight KPMG’s forward-thinking approach, recognizing that the future of professional services lies at the intersection of deep industry expertise and cutting-edge technology. The firm’s investment in platforms like KPMG Workbench, a foundational multi-agent platform, is a testament to this strategy. This platform enables what the firm calls “agentic capabilities” across its client delivery systems, including KPMG Digital Gateway (Tax), KPMG Clara (Audit), and KPMG Velocity (Advisory).

This is a profound shift. It’s not just about using AI to make existing processes faster; it’s about fundamentally reshaping how work is done. These platforms are designed to empower KPMG professionals to deliver faster, smarter, and more scalable solutions. For the C-Suite and investors, this means a firm that is not only a trusted advisor but also a technologically advanced partner capable of delivering unprecedented value in a highly competitive market.

In the end, KPMG’s moves with Rob Fisher and Steve Chase are a master class in strategic leadership. They are preparing the firm for a future where expertise and innovation are inextricably linked, ensuring KPMG remains a dominant force in the global marketplace. The race to leverage AI for competitive advantage is well underway, and with these new appointments, KPMG is signaling its intent to lead the pack.

The Executive Takeaway

For CEOs, CFOs, and strategic investors, these appointments at KPMG are not just a routine corporate announcement; they are a clear and powerful signal of a firm-wide strategic pivot. The simultaneous elevation of Rob Fisher to lead Global Advisory and Steve Chase to steer Global AI and Digital Innovation demonstrates a deep understanding of the modern business landscape. This move signals that KPMG views its future success as being inextricably linked to the seamless integration of human expertise and advanced AI.

The key takeaway is this: KPMG is moving beyond simply advising on digital transformation; it is actively and aggressively transforming itself from the inside out. The focus on developing internal AI platforms like KPMG Workbench and embedding AI across core services (Tax, Audit, and Advisory) indicates a commitment to generating value through technology, not just talking about it. This dual leadership structure—one leader focused on the business of advisory, and the other on the technology that will power it—is a model for any C-Suite executive looking to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. This is a clear signal that the future of professional services will be defined by those who can master this crucial convergence.

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