KPMG installs Richard Boele as first ever Chief Purpose Officer
The Australian arm of KPMG has installed its first ever Chief Purpose Officer: Richard Boele.
Richard Boele has been a partner with KPMG’s human rights consultancy wing KPMG Banarra since 2015, when he joined the firm as part of KPMG’s acquisition of Banarra, a boutique he founded more than two decades ago, well ahead of the current focus on the UN’s sustainable development goals.
A long-time human rights campaigner, Boele advises executives on how they can mitigate human rights and social impact risks, and how they can manage both aspects while continuing to support their communities. He also helps organisations with enhancing the social and governance dimensions of ESG, ranging from green and social procurement and ethical supply chains to embedding social labour practices.
“I'm very excited and honoured to have been appointed as KPMG's inaugural Chief Purpose Officer,” Boele stated, crediting recently installed KPMG CEO Andrew Yates for creating the new role. “There are two dimensions to the role. KPMG has committed to be a purpose-led company, and the Chief Purpose Officer is tasked with challenging the board and partnership on the decisions that are made, and ensure they are aligned with our purpose and values.”
The other element of the role noted by Boele, is in sharing the stories of the firm’s successes and progress as it strives to achieve its goals. “When accepting the role, my key request was that we work to make the Chief Purpose Officer an integral part of KPMG Australia’s DNA to endure beyond our tenure,” Boele stated.
“As I take the first steps in the role, I'll be listening to our people and other stakeholders for what they need and expect.”
Earlier this year, Boele led a consultancy team of KPMG Banarra that investigated progress on Australia’s anti-slavery risk reporting. Other engagements on KPMG Banarra’s roster of projects include helping a mining giant with conducting a human rights assessment for a major investment, and helping Sydney Airport with drafting its sustainability report.