Open for business
Introducing Thomas Hofman-Bang, CEO and Senior Partner of KPMG 2014, Denmark
In February 2014, Thomas Hofman-Bang was appointed Senior Partner and CEO of KPMG 2014, our new member firm in Denmark. Thomas is an experienced C-level executive and no stranger to auditing, having begun his career at Ernst & Young. Today, he finds himself spearheading our efforts to re-establish KPMG in Denmark.
What have been your first impressions of KPMG?
I’m impressed with the dedication and commitment displayed by the entire network and the truly global team of KPMG experts who are working out of our temporary ‘war room’ in the center of Copenhagen. We’ve had tremendous support from the whole network and I’m even more convinced today, than I was when I accepted the position of Senior Partner in Denmark, that KPMG’s first-class international expertise is a winning point in tenders and conversations with clients. I’ve now had the opportunity to co-operate closely with a group of high-caliber KPMG professionals for some time – and I must say I feel confident we will be successful, both in Denmark and globally.
What most motivated you to take on this role?
This is an exceptional opportunity to build a Danish professional services firm with a new perspective, supported by a first-class network and brand. I’ve been given the opportunity to foster an entrepreneurial corporate culture and team up with like-minded partners and employees who are all passionate about making a difference and establishing a strong KPMG presence in Denmark. It’s a pioneering project where we get the chance to build a business from scratch, based on one of the world’s strongest business-to-business brands and with an uncompromising focus on clients, quality and integrity. I know it will be a bit of a daunting task – but I’m up for the challenge!
What most excites you about joining KPMG and leading the new audit and advisory firm?
I’m always excited about building something new. My entire career has revolved around this, and I’m pleased to be back in the professional services business after 17 years; and creating a unique service offering in the Danish market based on uncompromising quality, integrity and service. As an audit buyer for many years, I’ve learned that these are more than simply words – they’re concepts of great importance to clients. That’s why I’m excited to join the KPMG network.
What is your vision for the new audit and advisory firm?
To secure KPMG’s position among the top four Danish professional services firms. We will build a strong and agile business that balances audit and advisory services to meet client demand, attracts the most talented partners and employees, and ensures competition and the presence of all of the Big Four firms in the Danish market.
Where do you expect the firm to be a year from now?
KPMG 2014 was only granted audit firm approval here in Denmark in February, and we’re currently re-locating from the war room to our temporary headquarters. Once there, we’ll have a better foundation for growing the business in a controlled manner and offering services to clients. We’ve completed hundreds of job interviews with high-caliber candidates and signed around 25 new partners as well as key employees to form the basis of our firm. We’ll soon announce these new hires, all of whom will contribute to positioning KPMG 2014 at the very top of the Danish market in terms of quality, integrity and service. We’ve joined forces with the tax advisory firm Accura Tax, which will form our tax practice. We are already building a strong presence and being endorsed by – and even put forward for election as auditor for – Danish blue chips such as Carlsberg and A.P. Møller-Maersk. We’ll do our utmost to live up to their expectations and, one year from now, I’m confident we’ll be a force to be reckoned with in Denmark.
How would you like to draw on GLPs to help you on your journey to build an internationally focused firm in Denmark?
My years as an audit and advisory services buyer at a truly global Danish-based company taught me that access to international expertise is paramount to maximizing the value that can be added by professional services firms. The numerous conversations I’ve had with existing and potential KPMG clients during my short period as Senior Partner have only confirmed this. Large Danish companies have become increasingly global and they expect their advisers to match this and stay one step ahead at all times. I want to build relationships with the GLPs and the KPMG network in general so that KPMG 2014 is able to provide our clients with the best possible solutions and have them continue to buy work from KPMG firms for years to come. At the same time, I want the network to know that Denmark is very much open for business! We are here to listen and support with any opportunities and will do our utmost to provide dedicated service to GLPs and their clients that are doing business in Denmark.
Contact Thomas Hofman-Bang on +45 31 21 68 72 or thofmanbang@kpmg.com.