Deloitte’s national audit team grows bench strength

Media release

6 June, 2012

Deloitte’s national audit team grows bench strength with admission of two new partners

Deloitte is pleased to announce the appointment of two new partners to its national audit team: Dunedin-based Mike Hawken and Dave Shadwell in Wellington.

The announcement increases the number of Deloitte’s audit partners to 17.

Both Mr Hawken and Mr Shadwell have particular expertise in financial services and insurance although each had quite a different journey to becoming a partner at Deloitte.

Mr Hawken has spent most of his career since 1997 working in Deloitte’s Dunedin office, apart from a four-year period in the UK. He is well known in his local market and is recognised for his strong technical expertise and his ability to serve on complex engagements, resulting in him being sought after nationally to work on Deloitte client teams.

While overseas Mr Hawken sat on “the other side of the fence” in a finance manager role which broadened his view of what a successful audit outcome is from a client’s perspective. “I’m a firm believer that fostering and developing professional relationships with clients is a critical element to achieving a successful audit,” Mr Hawken says.

He describes himself as being “pretty level-headed and able to provide that calming influence and guidance that clients often look for from their auditor. Financial reporting can be complex, and clients need to have confidence that no problem is too great to be solved.”

In contrast, Mr Shadwell has only been with Deloitte New Zealand for a year, having joined the firm from the UK. Prior to emigrating to New Zealand he was a successful audit partner at a competitor firm for five years leading their local financial services, insurance and public sector team.

Since arriving in New Zealand, he has spent a significant amount of his time working on clients in the financial services sector, along with a secondment to the Financial Markets Authority where he has been actively immersed in New Zealand’s developing regulatory environment.

Mr Shadwell says he strives to be clients’ “first port of call” and helping them make the best possible business decisions.

“It’s only by building rapport and trust with clients that you can really offer them best advice. My local and offshore experience provides valuable context, particularly for the financial services sector, and means I’m used to dealing with regulation as an integral part of business, Mr Shadwell says.”

Deloitte chief executive Thomas Pippos welcomes the additions to the national partner team which reflect the growing recognition and scale of the firm’s national audit business.

“Audit services continue to be a cornerstone offering of Deloitte in New Zealand, and continuing our growth in this area is a deliberate strategy on our part.

“Both Dave and Mike bring a combination of unique personal skills to their roles, but each share a passion and determination to serve our clients to the utmost of their abilities. They are both very talented, high performing individuals and I have every confidence they will excel in their new roles.”

The appointments were effective from June 1.

ends

© Scoop Media