BrazilBaker Tilly installs Malaysia's Andrew Heng as Asia Pacific chair
International accounting and consulting network Baker Tilly has installed Andrew Heng as its new chair for Asia Pacific.
Baker Tilly Malaysia’s group managing partner Andrew Heng has assumed the role of regional chair for the professional services firm’s Asia Pacific geography, which spans 22 territories including Australia via local affiliate Pitcher Partners.
The position was previously held by Pitcher Partners’ Melbourne-based national chairman John Brazzale, who was appointed in 2019.
The first Malaysian to hold the role, Heng has been with Baker Tilly and its predecessors (including Ferrier Hodgson) since before the turn of the century, ascending to Group Managing Partner at the beginning of 2018. In addition to formal accounting qualifications in Malaysia and Singapore, Heng is also a fellow of accounting bodies in Australia, Cambodia and New Zealand, and holds an MBA from the University of Manchester.
“The combination of Andrew’s proven leadership skills, management experience and achievements in driving strong business results in Southeast Asia will help take Baker Tilly in Asia Pacific to even greater success. I look forward to working with Andrew in this important role for our network,” said Francesca Lagerberg, who took over as Baker Tilly International’s global CEO earlier this year as its first female leader.
Baker Tilly’s Asia Pacific division accounts for close to $1 billion in combined annual revenue, on the back of a 16% regional jump in its last financial year. Altogether, the firm reported $4.3 billion in global revenues for 2021, with 15,000 staff out of a total 39,000 headcount based in Asia Pacific. Such figures see Baker Tilly ensconced in the top ten largest networks of its kind worldwide.
“Our Asia Pacific region is made up of a strong group of leaders, with everyone bringing a wealth of experience to the table,” Heng said upon his appointment. “I feel very honoured to be appointed to this position. With the world shifting its focus to Asia Pacific, I am looking forward to working closely with my fellow leaders to forge a closer cooperation within the network so as to grow together.”
The appointment comes shortly after Baker Tilly added Hong Kong-based KLC Corporate Advisory & Recovery to its ranks, one of the territory’s leading accounting practices with lines in restructuring, insolvency, forensic recovery and litigation support services. KLC has a staff of around 25 professionals.
