BDO has today announced that Keith Farlinger, former CEO of BDO Canada and currently a member of the network’s Global Leadership Team in the role of CEO Americas, will succeed Martin van Roekel as CEO of the international BDO network. Martin will step down as CEO on 31 October 2017, having been in the role for more than 6 years.
During Martin’s time as Global CEO, the BDO network has seen impressive growth and development, resulting in above-market growth of global revenues and in BDO becoming the leader in the consolidation of the profession’s mid-tier. The BDO network has gained a truly global coverage during his tenure, realising its vision to be the leader in the delivery of exceptional client service and seeing a definitive transformation to become an innovative network.
“I am grateful to all BDO firms and their partners and staff for their great cooperation in the past years, supporting the ongoing changes and being very helpful and accommodating in the process of investing and building an even stronger and more successful BDO network – all the time maintaining our unique BDO culture,” says the outgoing CEO.
Keith Farlinger was the CEO of BDO Canada for seven years and the Canadian member of the network’s Global Board from 2008 till 2015. Prior to that he was active for many years as an audit partner in BDO Canada. Immediately after completing his CEO term at BDO Canada, Keith joined BDO’s Global Leadership Team as CEO Americas. Alongside that role he has been, and remains, heavily involved in the multiple audit innovation and IT developments within the BDO network and, as such, has been closely involved in the significant changes within BDO over the past several years.
Keith Farlinger, who will take up the position with effect from 1 November 2017, adds: “I am very pleased to be taking up this leadership role and it is a particular honour to succeed Martin van Roekel. I intend to continue the same pace of development and level of activity that he has set in motion and trust that I can actively contribute to the further growth and success of the BDO network. It is important that the change process and strategic approach introduced in recent years continues to be implemented successfully. It is my aim to ensure the further positive development of our member firms and of the network as a whole”.
The Global Board’s agreement to appoint Keith Farlinger as the new CEO of BDO International Limited was unanimous; owing to his previous international roles, he has won great respect throughout the network.
Martin van Roekel will continue with BDO in the capacity of vice-chairman of BDO. In this new role he will work closely with the Global Board and the CEO to deal with a number of the network’s strategic priorities, one of which will be China and Hong Kong.
Media contact:
Jan Schiettecatte
PR and Communications Manager
Jan.Schiettecatte@bdo.global
Tel. +32 2 778 02 67