EY Australia CEO to step down

Tony Johnson
TONY JOHNSON
Ernst & Young - Australia CEO and Oceania Regional Managing Partner
DEPARTURE
ERNST & YOUNG
Date: June 2021
Position: Australia CEO and Oceania Regional Managing Partner

Longtime Australian CEO for EY, Tony Johnson, has announced his plans to step down from the role later this year.

"It has been an immense privilege to lead this fantastic organisation and its amazing people and I greatly appreciate the support I have received from our people and clients," said Johnson. "I consider myself very fortunate to have been provided the opportunities, experiences, and learnings during my time with the firm."

Johnson has been with EY for more than 20 years, beginning as a partner in 1998. He was named managing partner for assurance in Oceania in 2009 and became chief executive officer and regional managing partner in 2015.

"When I accepted the role in late 2014, I knew we were a very good organisation with outstanding talent and great values. My focus has been on instilling additional belief across the firm so that we are more bold, confident and distinctive in all we do whilst continuing to deliver exceptional service to our clients," said Johnson.

EY's Asian Pacific managing partner Patrick Winter thanked Johnson for his contributions over the years. "Tony has been an outstanding leader - values-based, always accessible, and authentic, with sound judgment in decision making. His contribution to EY's growth, distinctiveness, culture, and the inclusiveness of our workplace has been substantial. He will leave a positive and long-lasting legacy. We wish him well in the next phase of his career."

The firm has begun the process of finding a successor and hope to make an announcement before the end of March.