Mazars appoints new Chairman

In order to respond to the sector's challenges, Mazars' new Chairman calls for more transparency and responsibility

Lisbon, December 17th, 2018 - A Mazars, an international, integrated and independent auditing and consulting firm, specializing in auditing and auditing, accounting and outsourcingtax advice, consulting e financial advisory services, today announced the appointment of Hervé Hélias as Chairman. Hélias had been appointed CEO of the group in 2016 and now succeeds Philippe Castagnac, who successfully held the positions of Executive Chairman for the last seven years and CEO of the group from 2011 to 2016.

Hervé Hélias brings with him more than thirty years' experience in the auditing and consulting sector. While in charge of some of Mazars' main clients, including BNP Paribas from 2000 to 2009, he led the audit area for Public Interest Entities (PIE) and held the position of Managing Partner of Mazars in France, alongside the position of co-CEO of the group since 2012.

"We are delighted that Hervé Hélias will be taking over as Chairman of Mazars during this exciting period of growth for the firm." says Philippe Castagnac. "I have worked closely with Hervé over the last few years to make Mazars the original and independent global player it is today. Working together with the rest of Mazars' global leadership team, I have every confidence that he will succeed in taking the firm to the next level, building on Mazars' heritage of independence, long-term vision and excellence. Thanks to our close collaboration over the years, we anticipate a smooth and orderly transition."

Over the last 75 years, Mazars has experienced continuous, uninterrupted growth, which it attributes to its unique, integrated model. The company, which started out as a small accountancy firm in Rouen in 1945 and whose international project began in 1995, has today become a recognized and respected player international, with almost 23,000 employees in 89 countries and territories, without ever losing its values or compromising its founding principles.

"Under the leadership of its founder, Robert Mazars, our firm has grown to become a specialist in auditing and accounting in France. The vision and leadership of Patrick de Cambourg has transformed Mazars into a real player at continental level, with offices in most European countries and, over the last 15 years, we have expanded beyond Europe and developed our operation in Asia, Africa, North and South America."explains Philippe Castagnac.

In a context of unprecedented change, Mazars is accelerating its transformation to help managers confidently navigate a confluence of regulatory reforms, digital disruption and geopolitical volatility - all of which place enormous pressure and complexity on the way organizations achieve compliance, performance and sustainability.

"When I joined Mazars thirty years ago, my decision was motivated by the company's values, which are reflected in our integrated model that offers a unique perspective to our clients, employees and partners. Acting on the legacy of Philippe Castagnac, Mazars will continue to innovate on a daily basis to integrate analytical and digital capabilities, cultivating a multidisciplinary and balanced model based on integration and inclusion. We will continue to create new technology-enabled functions, while maintaining close relationships and a keen focus on delivering high-level quality to our clients."Hervé Hélias points out.

Reflecting on the current challenges, Hélias argues that "the sector is suffering from unprecedented mistrust and it is our collective mission to ensure that confidence in the sector remains intact. As a global entity and a reflection of our vision 'business for good' our contribution will be to ensure that all our stakeholders - from clients and colleagues to regulators and the public - benefit from our modern practices, independent perspective and values-driven culture".

This change marks the third leadership transition at Mazars since its foundation and comes at a time when the consultancy's global expansion is accelerating.