The Centre for Public Interest Audit Announces Appointment of Executive Director

London, 14 February 2025 – The Centre for Public Interest Audit (CPIA), a new research and policy institute dedicated to shaping best practices and informing the future of public interest entity (PIE) audit in the UK, today announces the appointment of Dean Beale as its new Executive Director, effective 13th May.

Dean joins the CPIA following a distinguished civil service career, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in the insolvency sector. Most recently, Dean served as the Chief Executive and Inspector General of the UK’s Insolvency Service, where he led efforts to enhance corporate governance and tackle financial misconduct. In this capacity, he managed policy development, regulated the sector, oversaw significant insolvency cases such as British Steel and Thomas Cook, and led high-profile enforcement action.

Baroness Margaret Ford, OBE, Chair of the CPIA, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Dean to the CPIA as he takes the lead in driving quality, resilience, and trust in the auditing of some of the UK’s most systemically important companies. The importance of public interest entities and the value of audit must remain a priority for the UK as a leading capital market. Securing such a high calibre, experienced executive to lead the CPIA and engender real change is truly fantastic.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dean Beale said: “I am excited to join the CPIA at this pivotal moment with significant audit reforms on the horizon. I look forward to working closely with Baroness Ford, our members, the Regulator, and wider stakeholders to promote a resilient and trusted audit profession – one that holds integrity, transparency and accountability at its core.”

The CPIA brings together leaders from across the profession as a single, standalone voice to support reform, shape best practice in UK public interest entity (PIE) audits, and drive meaningful change. Through rigorous research, policy recommendations, and engagement with key stakeholders, the CPIA seeks to enhance audit resilience, improve market confidence, and ensure that audit remains a cornerstone of financial stability and corporate accountability.

Notes to editors

About the Centre for Public Interest Audit (CPIA)

The Centre for Public Interest Audit (CPIA) is a policy and research institute formed to shape best practice and inform the future of public interest entity (PIE) audit in the UK. Its purpose is to drive quality and earn trust in UK PIE audit, in turn helping to build confidence in Britain’s capital markets. Its strength is the combination of its collective expertise to challenge the status quo; the CPIA is action-oriented, forward-looking and seeks to provide objective perspectives on audit quality. A trusted, forward-looking profession mitigates risk, builds confidence and enables investment in UK capital markets.

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