Jason Girzadas, the managing principal of business, global, and strategic services at Deloitte, was selected earlier this month as the Big Four firm’s next US CEO. If his nomination is approved by a partner vote, Girzadas will take over as chief executive on June 4.
In addition, Lara Abrash, current chair and CEO of Deloitte & Touche, the firm’s audit and assurance practice, will take over as chair of the Deloitte US Board of Directors on June 4, succeeding Janet Foutty, who opted not to seek a second four-year term.
Girzadas, who has worked at Deloitte for nearly 29 years according to his LinkedIn profile, will succeed Joe Ucuzoglu, who took over as Deloitte’s global CEO on Jan. 1 following the retirement of Punit Renjen. Ucuzoglu and Foutty became Deloitte’s US CEO and chair of the board, respectively, in June 2019.
“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Jason and Lara over many years, most recently as members of the US Executive Committee. I am thrilled by their selection, and I am confident that our clients, people, communities and capital markets will benefit from their joint leadership over the next four years,” Ucuzoglu said in a written statement.
“Further, I speak on behalf of our entire organization in expressing our utmost appreciation for Janet’s leadership as the chair of the board during this period of unprecedented success, and personally, I can’t thank her enough for her collaboration,” he added. “While she decided not to seek a second term, Janet’s extraordinary impact and her commitment to our clients, our people, and innovation have positioned us strongly as we move into the future.”
Foutty said Girzadas and Abrash “are visionary leaders with proven track records who bring complementary experiences representing the breadth of our firm, which will make for a strong partnership to skillfully lead our firm over the next four years.”
Girzadas is currently responsible for driving integration across Deloitte’s four businesses spanning audit and assurance, consulting, tax, and risk and financial advisory. In this role, he has worked to strengthen the quality of Deloitte’s services along with the firm’s strategic market positioning. He serves as a member of the US Executive Committee, the advisory partner for several large clients, and has been actively engaged with several of Deloitte’s strategic alliance relationships.
“I am deeply honored and excited to be asked to serve as our firm’s next US CEO and to work closely with Lara as our US chair. Through the leadership of Joe and Janet, and the day-to-day impact of our more than 7,000 partners, principals, and managing directors and more than 165,000 professionals, Deloitte is in an incredibly strong position to continue to serve our clients with excellence as an integrated firm across our four businesses, to fulfill our responsibilities in serving the capital markets, to create a leading talent experience for our people, and to be an organization that lives its purpose,” Girzadas said.
Previously, Girzadas was the Deloitte global consulting leader, where he oversaw double-digit revenue growth, and he also served on the Deloitte Global Board of Directors. He also previously served as the life sciences and healthcare industry leader for Deloitte Consulting in the US.
Throughout her career, Abrash has served as a global lead client service partner on a variety of large multinational clients across multiple industries, including financial services, consumer products, technology, and hospitality. She is also a member of the US Executive Committee and the advisory partner for several large clients.
“I am honored and humbled by the confidence our partners have placed in me to lead the Deloitte board. I look forward to continuing the effective, transparent governance of our partnership while collaborating with Jason and the management team to build upon our legacy as the world’s leading professional services firm—one that is defined by solving the most complex and unique challenges facing our clients and society,” Abrash said.
Abrash brings more than 25 years of experience in professional services, including 15 years as a partner. Previously within Deloitte & Touche, she served as its deputy CEO, national managing partner of audit innovation and client service delivery, and chief operating officer. She has also served as a member of the Deloitte US Board of Directors.
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Tags: Accounting, Firm Management
