RSM Australia Strengthens Leadership with Key appointments

RSM Australia, a major professional services firm, has announced several high-level appointments to address the growing complexity in corporate risks related to climate change and cyber security. In a press release, the firm noted that it is responding to a "more granular and complex" corporate risk landscape.

Alasdair Whyte, RSM's Perth Office Managing Partner, emphasized the rising demands from governments, consumers, customers, and investors for enhanced transparency and assurances from businesses. He says, "Whether it's addressing the growing importance and complexity of ESG considerations in Australia, and globally, or meeting enhanced cyber security obligations if you're a critical infrastructure owner, or implementing improved systems to protect customer data, no business can operate successfully today without the support of technical business specialists – the risk of not doing so is too great, for everyone."

Among the notable appointments is Catherine Bell, who joins RSM as a new Partner in the national ESG sustainability services team, based in Perth. With a wealth of experience as a Global Sustainability Advisor, Bell focuses on climate-related business risk. She emphasized the urgent need for a novel approach to business, stating, "These megatrends are ensuing generational and transformational changes to the way we do business, the way we live and the way we work." She adds that "achieving sustainable businesses and livelihoods is going to require an 'all hands' mentality, outside-the-box thinking and an understanding of working together quickly to help solve our collective challenges."

Furthermore, RSM has strengthened its cyber security services with two senior appointments. Riaan Bronkhorst has been promoted to Partner in the Security and Privacy services team in Perth, while Kaustubh Vazalwar, formerly Head of Technology – Enterprise Resilience at Tabcorp, has joined RSM's Melbourne office as an Associate Director.

In addition to ESG and cyber security, RSM acknowledged a surge in demand for corporate finance services and has promoted Stephanie McAuliffe to Principal in the Corporate Finance team in Perth. These moves signify RSM's commitment to adapting to the evolving corporate landscape and meeting the demands for specialized services in areas such as climate and cyber security risk.