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BDO has announced a new phase in its international growth strategy, confirming plans to strengthen global integration across its network while maintaining independence from external equity investment.
According to the professional services group, the move was designed to support “a strong and sustainable future” for the organisation, its clients and its workforce.
As part of the strategy, BDO intends to accelerate consolidation among member firms and improve cross-border collaboration, aiming to better serve what it described as an increasingly international and complex client base.
Pat Kramer, global chief executive of BDO, said: “Choosing independence is a conscious decision made from a position of strength. This approach ensures that we remain in control of our destiny while continuing to build a future-proof organisation.”
The firm has also announced several leadership changes to support the transition. Trond-Morten Lindberg, currently chief strategy and operations officer, will succeed Kramer as global chief executive when his term concludes in November 2026.
Lindberg added: “I am immensely proud to take on this role at an important juncture for BDO and our industry. I look forward to continuing to work with Pat and all our leaders globally, as we focus on the next phase of our growth and securing a strong and sustainable future for our organisation.”
Over the next year, Kramer and Lindberg will work with BDO’s global leadership team to reinforce the group’s position in the mid-market segment. The network operates in more than 160 countries and territories, employing about 92,000 people across 882 offices.
The appointment forms part of a broader leadership transition. Tony Schiffmann, chief executive partner of BDO Australia, will become global chair from 1 November 2025, succeeding Wayne Berson, who is due to retire at the end of October that year. David Garvey will take over as chief executive partner of BDO Australia from December 2025.
In the United States, Matthew Becker has been confirmed as the next chief executive of BDO USA, also succeeding Berson, with effect from 1 July 2026.
Meanwhile, the BDO Global Board has appointed Dr Jens Freiberg of BDO Germany to succeed Dr Holger Otte, who is retiring after more than 40 years with the firm.
The firm said the leadership changes mark “a new era” for BDO as it continues to invest in technology, quality and business growth to build what it described as a “future-fit organisation.”
