EY Promotes Audit Head to U.K. Chair Amid Break Up Threats

EY has promoted its U.K. audit head to chair its operations in the country as the government considers forcing the Big Four to separate audit and consulting activities.

Hywel Ball will become EY U.K. and Ireland regional managing partner and U.K. chair July 1, the firm announced Thursday. Ball replaces Steve Varley, who will become Ernst and Young LLP ’s first global vice chair for sustainability. Global accounts committee chair Alison Kay also takes over the new role of U.K. and Ireland managing partner for client service on the same date.

“The next few years will ...