As leadership passes to Joelene Pierce, the firm reflects on a tenure defined by integrity, institutional recovery and values-driven growth…..
KPMG South Africa and KPMG One Africa have formally marked the close of Ignatius Sehoole’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer, drawing the curtain on a leadership chapter widely associated with resilience, ethical renewal and institutional rebuilding.
At a farewell celebration held Thursday evening in Johannesburg, senior figures from business, government, regulatory bodies, academia, media, clients and KPMG’s Africa leadership gathered to honour Sehoole’s contribution. The event, themed “From Leadership to Legacy,” underscored not only his personal journey but also the broader transformation of the firm during a critical period in its history.
The evening also symbolised a seamless transition of power to incoming CEO Joelene Pierce, signalling continuity and confidence as the firm moves into its next phase.
A Mandate to Rebuild
When Ignatius Sehoole was appointed CEO of KPMG South Africa in 2019, the firm faced one of the most challenging periods in its existence. His mandate was clear: restore trust, strengthen governance, and re-anchor the organisation to its foundational values.
Over the years that followed, Sehoole led sweeping governance reforms, tightened audit quality standards, rebuilt relationships with regulators, and embedded a culture of transparency and accountability. Under his stewardship, the firm repositioned itself as a more disciplined, value-driven institution.
As chairperson of KPMG One Africa, he also championed deeper regional integration, ensuring Africa had a stronger voice within global business conversations. The firm’s participation in platforms such as the B20 — where KPMG served as a knowledge partner — reflected that broadened footprint.
Sehoole is set to conclude his tenure in March 2026, leaving behind what many describe as a stabilised and future-ready organisation.
Leadership in a Time of Crisis
Reflecting on Sehoole’s appointment, Wiseman Nkuhlu, who played a key role in his selection, said his leadership came at a moment when moral clarity mattered most.
“Ignatius was appointed at a moment when leadership required moral courage above all else. He brought integrity, humility, and discipline to the role — qualities that cannot be manufactured in times of crisis,” Nkuhlu noted, adding that Sehoole’s legacy extends beyond institutional repair to a broader reminder that leadership is fundamentally an ethical responsibility.
A New Chapter Begins
Incoming CEO Pierce paid tribute to the foundation laid by her predecessor, describing the transition as both symbolic and strategic.
“Ignatius leaves KPMG South Africa stronger, steadier, and deeply grounded in its values. He has led with clarity and consistency, even in the most demanding circumstances. I am honoured to build on the foundation he has laid,” she said.
Her appointment signals continuity rather than rupture — an indication that the firm intends to consolidate the cultural and governance gains achieved over the past several years.
The Man Beyond the Title
Away from boardrooms and strategy sessions, those close to Sehoole describe a leader who remains deeply grounded. His wife offered a glimpse into the quieter rhythms that shaped his perspective.
“For all the responsibility he carried, Ignatius has always found peace in the land, in farming, in working with his hands, and in watching things grow over time,” she reflected. “It is there that he resets and reminds himself that growth, whether in business or in life, requires patience and humility.”
Legacy Beyond Tenure
As Sehoole steps away from executive leadership, colleagues say his impact will endure not merely in policies or performance metrics, but in culture in the renewed emphasis on accountability, transparency and ethical stewardship.
In closing one chapter, KPMG South Africa is opening another built on a foundation forged during one of its most testing eras. And while leadership changes hands, the values that defined the past several years appear firmly intact.
