PwC elects a new CEO in CEE, Olga Grygier-Siddons

PwC has appointed a new regional CEO and leadership team to lead its network of firms across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)

2014-06-13 13:00:13

The appointments take effect on 1 July 2014. PwC's Central and Eastern European network includes8000 people in 52 offices across 29 countries (see notes for a full list of countries).

Olga Grygier-Siddons will become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PwC Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and will continue to be based in Warsaw. She is taking over from Mike Kubena, who has served as CEO for two 4-year terms, which is the maximum number of terms allowed under PwC CEE's governance arrangements. Mrs. Grygier-Siddons was elected CEO by her fellow partners, and will be the first woman and the first local national to serve in this position.

Olga Grygier-Siddons commented: "This is a great honour and I will strive to increase PwC's leading position in Central and Eastern Europe. The business environment in our region is challenging, but offers exciting opportunities. By combining our local relationships and the power of our network, we are uniquely placed to help our clients make the most of those opportunities while solving their increasingly complex business issues."

Olga Grygier-Siddons was appointed Managing Partner of PwC Poland in 2009. Under her leadership, the Polish firm grew to 1800 professionals and increased revenue by more than 30 per cent. The firm also strengthened its market position and made significant investments, opening a law firm, a brokerage office and a Shared Service Centre in Katowice. Prior to that, she led PwC Poland's Advisory department for 5 years. Olga has been with PwC since 1991 and has extensive experience in advising governments and international energy and infrastructure companies. Olga is married with two children.

In Romania, effective 1 July 2014, Kenneth Spiteri will become the Territory Assurance Leader for Romania and SEE replacing John Webster who will be retiring from the firm. Kenneth has been with the firm for 21 years and was admitted to partnership in 2008. He has moved from his native Malta to Romania in 1998. Kenneth is a partner whose key clients include Automotive, Pharmaceutical and FMCG multinational companies, but during the years in Romania has also served many PCS and State owned companies. In the last few years, Kenneth has also had responsibility for Human Capital in CEE and Risk Management for SEE.

Also, three new Partners were promoted in PwC Romania:

Monica Biota will become an Assurance partner responsible for the Timisoara office. Not only will she lead engagements for clients in Timisoara and the surrounding region, but she will also be responsible for managing the office, driving new business and profitable growth, and recruiting and developing people. As a partner, she will focus on building relationships and delivering services to the Romanian entrepreneurial companies. Monica is a graduate of the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and a member of the Romanian Chamber of Auditors and ACCA.

Diana Coroaba will become the leader of the Tax and Legal Services Financial Services practice and co-leader of the VAT practice in Romania. She has already been instrumental in developing these businesses by building excellent relationships with top executives and by raising PwC′s profile on the market. She will also develop new solutions for banks and insurers using global best practices. Diana is a Certified Tax Advisor.

Francesca Postolache will be an Assurance partner in Romania, where she will serve both multinational companies as well as Romanian entrepreneurs. She will also take over leadership of the Assurance practice in the Republic of Moldova, her native country. Francesca will lead the charge on targeting clients and developing new business in the real estate and shared service centre sectors in Romania. Finally, she will take over the leadership of the PwC Academy in Romania to develop this into a sustainable and profitable business unit. Francesca has a PhD in Financial Analysis, and is a member of the ACCA and Romanian Chamber of Auditors.

"At PwC we are committed to offer our employees exceptional career prospects. I am very proud to see that out of 22 new PwC partners in Central and Eastern Europe, three are from Romania and happy that all three are women and mothers in the same time. This shows our dedication to equality of opportunities and diversity, as well as our continuous endeavors to invest in the sustainable growth of our business in Romania", stated Vasile Iuga, Country Managing Partner, PwC Romania.